Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter

  1. Eng 123-2

    Very nice.

    Nathan Smith takes the ball at the other end and the England number four simply leans on the seamer's third delivery, sending it away for four past mid-off.

  2. Eng 119-2

    Gay 48, Root 20

    In fact, we start slightly early.

    Will O'Rourke bowls the final ball of the first over of the afternoon session, a wide-ish delivery that tempts Emilio Gay, who almost plays a waft it.

  3. Play to resume at 16:35 BST

    Some news from south London.

    The covers are off and we are going to get going again at 16:35 BST.

    It's still pretty murky, but the rain has relented.

  4. Ben Duckett raced to 36 from 25 balls this afternoon, before disaster struck.

    The opener was run-out having been called through for a single was partner Emilio Gay.

    His fellow left-hander would perhaps have hoped to spend most of the day avoiding Duckett by staying out in the middle, but finds himself in the dressing room for now.

    Duckett run out for 36 early into afternoon session

  5. Joe Root walks off in the rainGetty Images

    Tell you what, it is pretty grey over the back of the pavilion at The Oval.

    There's some reasonable movement on the flags mounted on the roof, so hopefully it will blow over.

  6. rain stops play

    Rain stops play

    Eng 119-2

    Oh, that was a long evening session.

    Five balls in and the players are coming off for a touch of drizzle.

    I'm not sure this break will last all that long, the rain is not that heavy according to the Test Match Special team.

  7. Eng 118-2

    Trail by 273; Gay 48, Root 19

    And away we go.

    Will O'Rourke delivers the opening ball of the evening session, fended away by Joe Root.

  8. Get Involved

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    Blimey, the knives are already out for Young Jacob! Just relax yourselves, he's nicked off with it going round corners. Happens to the best of them...

    Harry Chandler, Shropshire

    Let's put it this way - Bethell or Pope? I rest my case.

    Andy B, Shropshire

  9. Thanks, Mr A.

    At the start of England's reply, WinViz gave New Zealand a 57% chance of victory, England 40% and the chance of draw was 3%.

    England have edged ahead as slight favourites by tea on day two...

    WinViz gives England 50% chance of victory, New Zealand 47% and the draw 3%CricViz

  10. Timothy Abraham
    BBC Sport

    England have shown a bit of ticker in the afternoon session when there might have been a bit of concern at 68-2.

    Here's Mike Peter to talk you through tea and the first part of the evening session.

  11. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    This is building up into a really competitive match.

  12. England 118-2 at tea

    Emilio Gay works Kyle Jamieson through mid-wicket for a couple.

    Gay content to defend the rest of the over as he heads into the interval unbeaten on 48.

    His partnership with Joe Root is worth 50. These two have steadied the ship nicely following the dismissal of Jacob Bethell.

    And that is tea.

  13. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England's calm has come from Emilio Gay. He is just a real traditional opening batter. He scores runs where you expect him to score runs.

  14. Eng 116-2

    England on 111 but Nelson will not blight Emilio Gay, who plays a defensive stroke with soft hands and the edge runs away through third for four.

    Gay keeps the strike and closing in on a Test half-century. He's 46 off 86 balls.

  15. Get Involved

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    Gus in Oxford (15.08) is the harshest selector. Three low scores by Jacob Bethell after a 150 at the SCG, and he's dropped for Jordan Cox and Ben Stokes. Chaotic.

    Jack Counsell, Balham

    Century in Sydney, "Bethell is the future". Literally two Tests later, "he should be dropped". Amazing just how fickle the England fan base is.

    Ian, Leighton Buzzard

    Regarding Jacob Bethell, I do agree that he would be better suited to lower down the order, but I don't think there are any better options for number three, so he should stay there for the moment. I would have Root there, but I know that won't happen!

    Ben H, London

  16. Eng 109-2

    Kyle Jamieson returns.

    He serves up a short wide one with his second delivery and Root cashes in - cutting it through the New Zealand slip cordon.

    A bit toe-y for Root who inspects his bat between deliveries.

  17. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It does feel like good bowling conditions at the moment, the lights just flickering into action.

  18. Eng 105-2

    Joe Root's turn to work one off his shins for a four through fine leg with a deft flick off Matthew Henry.

    New Zealand have a leg slip in situ, but it's pretty much all along the floor for England's all-time leading runscorer.

  19. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Will O'Rourke is almost always round the wicket to left-handers (80% of the time).

    However, he actually averages better (17.75) from over, compared to round (25.50).

  20. Eng 100-2

    Will O'Rourke's spell is over as Matthew Henry is tossed the ball by New Zealand skipper Tom Latham.

    England have just under 20 minutes to get through until tea.