Key events
88th over: New Zealand 372-4 (Mitchell 8, O’Rourke 2) Tongue gets a look at O’Rourke … who digs out a yorker for a couple. Tidily played by a man with a Test-best of five not out. There’s a mix-up between the two batters that nearly ends O’Rourke’s stay before Tongue sends one whizzing past the outside edge.
87th over: New Zealand 370-4 (Mitchell 8, O’Rourke 0) Archer’s looking sharp, starting the over with an 87mph inswinger. Though he follows that up with a loose, wide one. The England quick sends down a couple of bumpers and has his first maiden of the innings.
86th over: New Zealand 370-4 (Mitchell 8, O’Rourke 0) It’s Josh Tongue to have a go from the other end … and he immediately looks the part. Mitchell decides late to leave the ball – an inside-edge travels for four. There’s a leg slip in position, with Tongue – like Archer – tailing the ball into the right-hander.
85th over: New Zealand 363-4 (Mitchell 1, O’Rourke 0) Daryl Mitchell is on strike, with Will O’Rourke – the nightwatcher – at the other end. Archer gets some decent shape into the right-hander before Mitchell squeezes the ball into the offside for a single. Archer has three balls against O’Rourke after bowling a no-ball … but the New Zealand quick survives.
OK, let’s play. It’ll be Archer to continue the over he began last night with a wicket.
If you’re at Trent Bridge today please drop me a line – would be good to hear how those in the crowd are managing with the heat.
Our very own Will Unwin has told me to check out Lancashire’s squad for their Blast game against Leicestershire tonight: Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Liam Livingstone, Luke Wood and Jimmy Anderson in the mix. Stick that one on.
Just looking over some stats from yesterday, courtesy of Cricinfo: Conway and Latham’s partnership was the first 300-plus effort by a touring side since Amla and Kallis at the Oval 14 years ago.
I’ve heard Amla’s actually still batting in south London:
If I’m not at my best on the OBO today, please remember this:
All you need to read from day one.
Oh, and some news too:
Preamble
I’m sweating and I’m in an air-conditioned office. So yeah, I feel for England, who must return to the field this morning at Trent Bridge, where temperatures could end up hitting the mid-30s. Rank.
The positive news for Ben Stokes’ side? They’ve ended that monstrous opening stand and have got through the top four. Good thing Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell don’t have a history of gigantic stands against them … right? We get going at 11am BST.
