Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter

  1. NZ 270-8

    Jofra Archer back on... and he too lands a ball on Daryl Mitchell's body.

    In the ribs this time - Mitchell takes off his helmet and it seems he has got a replacement coming out now.

  2. NZ 270-8

    Lead by 354

    Finally ready to get going again - although to be honest we could all do with a breather.

    Daryl Mitchell gets down the other end off the first of Gus Atkinson's two remaining deliveries, before the England seamer fizzes the ball past the shoulder of Ben Sears' bat.

  3. They appear to be repairing Daryl Mitchell's helmet rather than bringing out a replacement.

    It's taking a fair while, so watch Michael Vaughan's reaction to Ben Stokes' retirement.

    'I can't believe it!' - Vaughan reacts to Stokes' retirement

  4. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on Test Match Special

    That was a brutal delivery!

  5. NZ 269-8

    Ouch.

    Gus Atkinson, on with the new ball, plants a bouncer right on the grille of Daryl Mitchell.

    The New Zealand batter tried to duck under the short ball but it kept low and smashed into the helmet.

    That made a mighty thwack sound, and indeed it has accounted for the new ball, just nine balls old - the umpires bring out a selection of replacements.

  6. Isn't the first time I've posted this video, won't be the last.

    'That's exactly why he's a great!' - Stokes' first ball delivered in retirement

  7. new ball

    NZ 265-8

    After one ball of Josh Tongue's over, England decide to take the new ball.

    The seamer delivers three dot balls with the new cherry before Ben Sears takes two through mid-off.

    Ben Stokes the man chasing the ball down.

  9. NZ 262-8

    Shoaib Bashir rattles through a quieter over - a couple of singles from it.

    This partnership is worth 38.

  10. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on Test Match Special

    I was shocked.

    I thought there might be change post Test match, but Ben Stokes was at the bottom of my list of things to change.

  11. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I wouldn't say the news is overshadowing the game but it is contributing to the drama.

    Ben StokesGetty Images

  12. 'It won't hit home for a while'

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It won't hit home for a while. It is a job that takes a few weeks for it to sink in that you're not England captain any more.

    He'll be focusing on this game and making sure that he gets the outcome for the team but I will be very interested to hear about why.

    Obviously his comeback, he's played brilliantly in this Test match with the ball and bowling his mammoth spells.

    Something's happened, we can't hide behind that fact.

  13. 6 runs

    NZ 260-8

    Lead by 344

    New Zealand have definitely upped their tempo since tea!

    Ben Sears slashes at Josh Tongue's delivery and sends the ball flying for four through third.

    Daryl Mitchell then ends the over with a big six over mid-wicket - that's 11 runs off the over.

  14. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    To hear Ben Stokes retiring from international cricket has made me sad and upset. The best all-rounder since Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff. Thank you, Stokes. World Cup winner 50 overs 2019, Ashes win in Yorkshire in 2019 and T20 World Cup 2022.

    Chetan, Bolton

    Gone from shocked, to disbelief, and now sat between anger and tears. Can Brendon McCullum/Rob Key survive the fallout? Thank you for everything Stokesy.

    Adam, Aldridge

    Gutted for England but happy for Ben Stokes! Genuine happiness written all over his face when he was celebrating that wicket with his mates on the field. Time for him to start enjoying his cricket again, away from the ECB meat grinder.

    Ben, London

  15. 'The fire isn't burning any more'

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    When you're England captain, you have got to trust everyone who you are working with. Your players but also the management and the ECB.

    And I honestly think that there has been a lack of trust. I am now saying that is the only reason but all these things, the tough winter on and off the field, and he didn't seem like himself before the first Test at Lord's.

    The incident happens, and he's clearly had a fallout with the ECB and maybe that's part of the trust that he's lost in them but fundamentally, it sounds like he's just woken up and gone "Nope, the fire just isn't quite burning any more."

    If there has ever been a cricketer who has deserved this kind of finish and what he'll get tomorrow - regardless of the result - it is Ben Stokes.

  16. 'He hasn't got it in him any more'

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

    Something has happened - I'm not saying since the Lord's thing - but in the past four or five months because his statement after the Ashes was all about how much it hurt him and he couldn't wait to lead the side forward.

    He's got one more year on his contract, one more big series to go again against Australia. I don't want to speak for him, and I haven't spoke to him, but it must just mean that he hasn't got it in him.

    Because the character is there, if he wants it. We've seen it in this game and at The Oval that he is the only one who can balance it as a world-class player and maybe he thinks that he can't be that player any more.

    You don't know what's happened, but I know that handing that cap back when you know that England still want you as their captain is a big, big thing.

  17. NZ 249-8

    Right between keeper and slip!

    Does that count as a drop? Ben Sears' edge off Shoaib Bashir bisected them perfectly, with the ball racing away for four.

    A further single for Ben Sears moves him to 10 from 17 balls.

  18. Get Involved

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Ben Stokes has repeatedly carried this team with herculean effort after herculean effort often to his own physical detriment and absolute pleasure to watch him play.

    Saul, New Milton

    Is it just me, or is that extremely egotistical, and frankly disrespectful, of Ben Stokes to make the announcement in that way? The captain should lead with humility and focus; but no, it’s all about him now, even though there’s potentially a fantastic end to a Test match afoot.

    Hakim, Chichester

    An absolute icon of the English game alongside Beefy. He gave everything for his country. He made the impossible possible. Thanks Ben.

    Paul, Northwich

  19. 'It's not just the player, it's the persona'

    Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Last week, we saw the hole that he leaves in the team when he's not there.

    I guess England have got to move forward now - it's hard to say that when it's only just happened but England and the management will have to look at how they built a team without an all-rounder like Ben Stokes.

    And it's not just the player, the all-rounder. It's the persona. He's got a winning mentality, I have him right up there as one of England's greatest players when the pressure's on.

    There's not many who have coped with the pressure of an England jersey like Ben has. I am desperate for him to get a score in this second innings to just show us once more what it's like to chase a target.

  20. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    It must be quite an odd feeling in that dressing room.