Key events
4th over: England 23-0 (Duckett 10, Stokes 13) Stokes is, I suppose, technically dropped as a ball from Foulkes bellows off the pitch and scratches past Stokes bat and keeper’s gloves – but it was an impossible chance. Duckett inside edges four past his stumps.
3rd over: England 18-0 (Duckett 6, Stokes 12) Smith again. A gentle turn off the hips by Duckett brings four. And we all breathe.
There was an earlier comment suggesting Stokes (and Botham) were the only “super” all rounders to win games with bat or ball. I understand the fascination with Stokes, but to leave Kallis out of that is extraordinary. Not to mention Ashwin, Jadeja, Shakib, even Sanath. And in the narrow definition of players winning at least 1 game – tests i assume – with bat or ball, Holder, Root and Clarke have done it too. Sam Curran did it to India. I’m sure there are others ..” I think Bhaskar Agrawal, it was a comment written in the emotion of the moment. As for Kallis – he is the anti Stokes-Botham-Kapil-Imran – substance over style.
2nd over: England 13-0 (Duckett 2, Stokes 11) DROPPED! From O’Rourke’s first ball, Stokes chips him and the ball screams past the fingers of O’Rourke’s right hand in his follow through and nearly flies to the fielder at mid off. Just another chapter of a surreal day. O’Rourke goes off the pitch – with a webbing injury’ and Foulkes must finish the over. Already Tickner has been substituted and Sears isn’t on the pitch after hurting his finger batting. Oh, and here goes Stokes –gallop and change, BANG- six down the ground. A paddle scoop to finish the over brings a single
Not everyone is bathing in ginger captain love. Hello Richard Seaholme “I’m glad he’s going. He’s built a team and a culture in his own image. Arrogant, unlikeable, and disdainful of being asked reasonable questions. No accountability across the whole set up; forget Key and McCullum, it starts and ends with Stokes. If he was capable of showing even the smallest amount of grace, he’d have quit in Sydney. I’ll paraphrase Ben Duckett, when he summed up this woeful period in English cricket better than anyone. Resignations: the more the better.”
1st over: England 2-0 (Duckett 1, Stokes 1) Well Stokes did look in good touch against Northamptonshire last weekend…and he has never got out opening the batting for England. Nathan Smith, curling moustache, runs in and his first ball is nasty and hits Duckett on the bottom hand. Stokes advances down the wicket to his first ball and smashes the ball to mid off. He tries to reverse the next, misses it and falls over. And gets a single off the last with a nudge to third man. On the balcony, his daughter watches with open mouth. Me too.
Stokes opens the batting
First Ben Stokes, then Ben Duckett. Quite the high-risk statement this, through the NZ guard of honour to the middle.
My inbox is overflowing so apologies if I don’t manage to wade through to your email. New Zealand are already out on the field, huddling, if thats a verb. Ben Stokes is padding up.
A hundred for Mitchell! New Zealand declare on 288-9 – England need 373 to win
94th over: New Zealand 288-9 (Mitchell 100, Sears 19) Mitchell anchors four behind square go to 99 and there’s the hundred with a darted single. He roars with … pleasure, pain, relief, pride? –what an excellent, crabbed, brave, hard-working innings- 241 balls, ten fours, one six… and there’s the declaration! And running off the pitch alongside Ben Duckett is Ben Stokes…
93rd over: New Zealand 283-9 (Mitchell 95, Sears 19) A no ball for Jofra for three behind square on the leg side.
“So, during this low-key series, we said shock good-byes to two generational players- Kane and Ben. The world cricket is poorer for it. Just like Ben, Kane also deserved a proper send-off.” Very true Prakhar Gupta, though I think Kane liked it just the low key way it was.
92nd over: New Zealand 279-9 (Mitchell 92, Sears 19) Is this worth risking Sears’ fingers for?
”…. no Sobers or Benaud on the great allrounder list? Say it ain’t so, Tanya!”
”I remember being taken to the Oval many many moons ago, and a great sigh went up around the ground as we entered… Sobers had just got out, so I never did get to see him bat.” But you were in his presence Adrian Goldman, there’s a certificate for that. There must be others who are glaringly obvious – Miller?
WICKET! O’Rourke lbw Atkinson 0 (New Zealand 279-9)
Very much absolutely out! But the third umpire has a look, O’Rourke is almost at the boundary rope waiting for the decision, which is: off you pop. The ball actually skimmed the stumps too, though the bails didn’t come off. And Ben Sears comes back on thanks to excellent work in the NZ finger repair factory.
Sears injured and off the pitch
91st over: New Zealand 278-8 (Mitchell 92, O’Rourke 0) Jofra time. Mitchell takes a blind pull at his first ball and gets hit in the midrift somewhere. Calls for a new helmet to replace the one he’d just put on. He’s still not happy, making running adjustments to the new one at the non-striker’s end. Ben Sears has had another blow to his finger as some extra bounce from Archer spits up and cracks the bottom hand…. and he actually goes off the pitch -potentially very bad news for New Zealand. Mitchell finishes the over with a legside haul for four.
”Like Ed Smyth, I have been having a punishing time,” writes John Swan, “in my case emptying the house I grew up in after my mother’s death. Thought I was all cried out and now this… Oh, *Ben*…” The very best OBO wishes go with you John.
90th over: New Zealand 269-8 (Mitchell 85, Sears 18) Remarkably, Mitchell is ok to carry on, but they have to replace the ball. Atkinson lets rip an unplayable delivery that flames past Sears.
Hello H North. ”I think the comment from Nigam (over 83) is a bit off. Two come to mind immediately: Kallis at Karachi in 2007 and against the West Indies at Cape Town in 1999. In the first he scored 255 and SA won by 160, which seems pretty conclusive to me…”
90.4 overs: New Zealand 269-8 (Mitchell 84, Sears 18) Slam! Mitchell advances and dambusters four straight off Atkinson. A gorgeous delivery passes the outside edge, then – YIKES – Atkinson hits Mitchell hard as he mini steps, mini steps down the pitch, the ball lifts and as Mitchell crouches it slams him in the grill and he drops straight down. He’s up straight away but the physio is on immediately.
New ball taken
89th over: New Zealand 265-8 (Mitchell 80, Sears 18) At last England take the new ball, but still no breakthrough for Tongue who is wicketless so far in this Test.
88th over: New Zealand 262-8 (Mitchell 79, Sears 16) Bashir wheels through a quick set.
Thank you so much to Andrew Crossley for an on-the-spot report from Trent Bridge
”In response to your question: there was no announcement, but news filtered through on phones, and led to an immediate and spontaneous ovation…which continued into the ball in which he got his wicket.
Lovely “I was there” moment. A steady day, but absorbing, and fun to see Joe Root conducting the crowd like an impresario.”
87th over: New Zealand 260-8 (Mitchell 78, Sears 15) Another four over the slips off Tongue, rather elegant by Sears. And to finish the over Mitchell twists and hauls SIX over midwicket to the accompaniment of boring, boring Mitchell.
“I can’t quite believe that Ben Stokes is leaving the international stage, still in his prime, at least as a bowler and captain,” writes Colum Fordham. “If it weren’t for the ‘incident’ after the first test, I think we’d’ve seen a few more series from arguably our greatest player ever. The innings to win the World Cup was magnificent but the match I will remember most was the third test against Australia which I watched with my son Simo on holiday in Cilento. I remember his and my disbelief at Stokes’ strokes. So whilst he was -and is – a great all-rounder, his most remarkable performances have been with the bat. I would disagree with James Bough. On his day, Ben Stokes was a truly great batsman. Maybe he has one last innings in him.”
86th over: New Zealand 249-8 (Mitchell 72, Sears 10) A thin outside edge from Sears off Bashir zips past a diving Brook and down to the rope. A pocketful of singles.
Chris Brennan has a spiky response to the news. “Great cricketer but rubbish retirement. Can’t help feeling that this is a petulant response to being dropped for second test. Lost a bit of respect for the man, he abandons his team with warning. To release the news in the middle of a match just shows he thinks he’s bigger than the team and the job of captain. Timing to make biggest impact. Petulant.”
85th over: New Zealand 241-8 (Mitchell 69, Sears 5) Josh Tongue with the old ball as our heads are elsewhere. Mitchell slices four over slip – a toe on the accelerator.
“I have been having a complete shit of a week. Seeing Stokes go is not the news I wanted to see, but I hope he can find the peace he deserves. And maybe a hug from Jack Leach – the best batting partner he ever had. Tears, Ed Smyth.”
Beautifully said. And a hug being sent your way to Ed. Hope next week is a better one.
Evening session
83rd over: New Zealand 236-8 (Mitchell 64, Sears 5) Is anyone at the ground? Did they announce Stokes’ retirement, or put it on the big screen? He gets a guard of honour from the England players as he walks back onto the pitch. We are still going with the old ball, but Stokes has been persuaded to give himself a break. Bashir now, enormously long legs, luxuriant hair. Mitchell hits a ball in anger, but only gets a single.
“With the retirement of Ben Stokes, we have lost what I call one of the few super all rounders in the history of cricket,” writes Nigam Nuggehalli . “I define a super all rounder as a player who has won games for their country both as a bowler and as a batsman. This would include players like Stokes and Botham. Can we think of anyone else? I don’t think Imran or Kapil or Kallis won a Test match for their batting alone.” Hmmm, Nigam, I would need some research time – but surely Kallis did? I wonder if Rob Smyth is awake?
Hello Seth Levine.
“Excellent package on Stokes’ career by Sky, set to the words of Teddy Roosevelt’s “man in the arena” speech. They must have had it prepared, like the Beeb’s announcement of the death of the Queen. Less Operation London Bridge. More Operation Trent Bridge.”
It was super wasn’t it.
Stuart Broad has just pointed out that tickets are free for Trent Bridge tomorrow…
The OBO mailbox is filling up with tear-stained notes.
“Afternoon Tanya,” lovely to hear from you Stef in Peterborough.
“I’m stunned by the Ben Stokes news and very sad. I can only imagine he’s had a falling out with those above. Wouid he reconsider to carry on playing but just give up the captaincy?
It’s a strange decision at a strange time but ultimately jusf very sad. Thanks Ben for all you’ve done and wishing you well.”
It’s really sad, when he has so much more to give. And seemed to be enjoying himself so much – even at Durham last week. And he’s worked so hard to come back from injuries. And, and…
And Neil Blackshaw.
“Just switched on the catch up and hit in the stomach—BS retiring. Quite emotional. What a warrior he has been for England . Cricket through and through. I’m sad and was at the time that this last short period did not seem to treat him well ; he looks stressed at Trent Bridge. One of the greatest- cliche but oh so true.”
Here’s the video of Ben Stokes informing his England teammates of his retirement earlier today.
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TEA – New Zealand lead by 318
82nd over: New Zealand 234-8 (Mitchell 63, Sears 4) Fifty-four runs in the session, Stokes bowling unchanged from lunch. He leads the team off, a shocked ground rising as one.
“Oh, bloody hell.” Well exactly, James Brough.
“What a loss to England. No more 10 over spells. No more ridiculous catches. No more murderous sixes. I don’t think he was a great batsman, but he played great innings – that double hundred against South Africa, the Ashes hundred at Headingley and the one at Lords in the Bairstow game were innings that so few players could produce. And then his captaincy – how many England captains have had such an effect on their side. I’ll miss him. I really will.”
81st over: New Zealand 225-8 (Mitchell 61, Sears 1) That was a spine-tingling over, powered by liquid emotion. Stokes looked overcome in the celebration of the wicket, hugging Brook for a double breath and more. The roar from the crowd would rival the winnings runs at Headingley 2019. We watch a video of Stokes speaking to the dressing room and telling them before play. Jacob Bethell sitting next to him looks stunned.
“It looks as if Ben Stokes is taking a leaf out of Stuart Broad’s book, by announcing his retirement from international cricket,” writes John Starbuck. “As I type this, he takes another wicket, proving that going out on a high is the best option, but we shall, of course, miss him a lot.” They certainly will.
WICKET! Foulkes c Brook b Stokes 6 (New Zealand 224-8)
Ian Botham, who are you? The news of Stokes’ retirement had just hit the crowd, who had risen to applaud and shout his name, when, with the first ball of his over, he persudes Foulkes to flash and Brook picks up a stunner at second slip.
Ben Stokes to retire from England duty after third Test
Ben Stokes has announced his retirement as England Men’s Test Captain and from international cricket. Stokes will end his England career at the Third Rothesay Test Match at Trent Bridge.
Richard Thompson, ECB Chair, said:
“Ben Stokes leaves the international game as one of England’s greatest ever cricketers and one of the defining figures of his generation. His performances under pressure, his relentless competitiveness and his ability to produce the extraordinary when it matters most have given me and millions of other fans memories that will endure forever.
“Whether inspiring victory in the biggest moments – not least driving England to World Cup wins in 2019 and 2022 and his heroic Ashes innings at Headingley – or leading the Test team with courage and conviction, Ben has been a talismanic figure in English cricket.
“Beyond his remarkable achievements on the field, his performances have inspired many youngsters to embrace cricket with positivity and belief. We are losing a batsman, a bowler, a captain and a talisman. On behalf of the ECB, I want to thank Ben for everything he has given to our sport and wish him and his family every success and happiness for the future.”
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said:
“Ben Stokes has made an immeasurable contribution to English cricket, not only through his exceptional skill as one of the world’s finest all-rounders, but through the commitment, resilience and passion he has demonstrated throughout his international career. His influence has extended far beyond statistics – inspiring teammates, supporters and young cricketers around the world through his leadership and unwavering desire to win. We are enormously grateful for his service to England and congratulate him on an extraordinary international career. His contribution to the game will be celebrated for many years to come.”
81st over: New Zealand 224-7 (Mitchell 61, Foulkes 6) They don’t take the new ball. Atkinson continues, Smith still up to the stumps. And oh my, here is some news …
80th over: New Zealand 222-7 (Mitchell 60, Foulkes 5)A tenth on the trot for Stokes, not a pinchable inch, or fraction of an inch, of extra flesh on him. Worryingly for England one scuttles along the ground. “Boring, boring Mitchell shout the crowd “– as New Zealand opt for a quick single, Foulkes slides at least a metre along the ground on his belly to ensure he makes his ground. A peach of a ball to finish, nips away from the dusty Foulkes.
79th over: New Zealand 221-7 (Mitchell 59, Foulkes 5) Kids, this is creeket stipped to the bare bones. Mitchell has thrown away his shots and embraced the defensive nurdle. Some super keeping by Smith standing up to the stumps, as the ball riccochets off the pitch and into the gloves.
78th over: New Zealand 220-7 (Mitchell 58, Foulkes 5) A ninth over of this spell for Stokes, as a breeze ruffles his shirt. Smith and Brook thinks there has been at tickle from Foulkes on a caught behind. Stokes isn’t convinced but after Smith’s tip-off for the last wicket, he goes upstairs. No prizes this time – it wasn’t bat that squeaked, it was thigh.
77th over: New Zealand 218-7 (Mitchell 58, Foulkes 3) A quick single prevents a third successive maiden and takes the lead to 300. Atkinson, brown arms, white wrist band, tiptoes in. There is a burst of energetic football style chanting from the crowd but it soon fades. Mitchell and Foulkes sprint another two. Michael Vaughan thinks Josh Tongue isn’t moving well in the field.
76th over: New Zealand 215-7 (Mitchell 56, Foulkes 2) The new ball is available in another four overs. Until then, Stokes goes again, the crowd somnolent in the Sunday afternoon sun. Mitchell faces out another maiden, the last ball beats him past the outside edge, twisting out of the cracks.
Free tickets at Trent Bridge tomorrow
75th over: New Zealand 215-7 (Mitchell 56, Foulkes 2) A maiden from Atkinson.
All power to Trent Bridge, who are letting spectators in for free tomorrow for what could be a thriller of a last day. Supporters can claim up to four free tickets per person by visiting tickets.trentbridge.co.uk.
If you already have seats for day five, you should use your existing tickets, but will receive a full and automatic refund in the next ten days.
For accessible seating, contact the ticket office on 0115 899 0300. Lines are open until 30 minutes after the close of play today, and re-open at 9am tomorrow.
“Supporters are encouraged to make voluntary donations to the Trent Bridge Community Trust– the charity that delivers a variety of projects that have a profound and meaningful impact on lives across Nottinghamshire – should they wish to do so. Donations can be made at trentbridge.co.uk/trust.”
74th over: New Zealand 215-7 (Mitchell 56, Foulkes 2) Stokes, over number 21. Arms pistonning, hair shorn, slim face grimacing in effort. Mitchell continues his tortoise innings – he has hit three boundaries all day and he isn’t about to let loose again any time soon.
73rd over: New Zealand 211-7 (Mitchell 53, Foulkes 1) Thanks Jim! Time to rest that weary head. Not much to report from Atkinson’s over, except the umpire had a little word with Mitchell who put his huge boot down the pitch as he thought about launching off on a run.
James Wallace
72nd over: New Zealand 210-7 (Mitchell 52, Foulkes 1) The game is ticking towards what could be a thrilling final day and a half denouement. New Zealand lead by 294 runs, England need to take three more wickets before they can start their attempt at a fourth innings run chase.
Time for me to handover to Tanya Aldred to take you through to stumps. Goodbye!
71st over: New Zealand 209-7 (Mitchell 51, Foulkes 1) Archer strides in with three slips in position. England have bowled really well today without much luck, New Zealand haven’t pulled away out of sight and that’s largely because they’ve been tied down by tight lines and a more tricksy day four wicket.
70th over: New Zealand 208-7 (Mitchell 51, Foulkes 1) How will Daryl Mitchell play now? Will he chance his arm and carve some punishing boundaries to re-divert the pain back on England? He has Zak Foulkes for company who can certainly hold a bat, he used to open in first class cricket as a younger man. Don’t shoot the messenger!
69th over: New Zealand 206-7 (Mitchell 50, Foulkes 0) Scintillating wicket maiden from Archer who now has 4-40 from 17 overs. England believe they can chase these runs, of course they do. Whether they can or not on this wearing pitch we shall see, and we’ll witness their attempt a bit sooner that it looked about 20 minutes go.
WICKET! Nathan Smith c Smith b Archer 1 (New Zealand 206-7)
Snorter from Jofra to get rid of Smith. Pace, bounce, edge, catch, GONE!
Jofra’s done sammink!
68th over: New Zealand 206-6 (Mitchell 50, Smith 1) Daryl Mitchell goes to an extremely patient and important half century. Nathan Smith joins him and is off the mark with a clip to leg. The crowd are up and England sense this is the moment…
WICKET! Mitchell Santner c Smith b Stokes 0 (New Zealand 205-6)
The England players mob Jamie Smith and the crowd make the biggest noise of the day as Santner is given out on review. Stokes drew the forward poke with a scrambled seam delivery that he thought passed the edge of the bat but Jamie Smith convinced him that Santner got a tickle. The review is called for and sure enough there is a murmur on snicko!
67th over: New Zealand 204-5 (Mitchell 49, Santner 0) Mitch Santner joins Mitchell in the middle. New Zealand’s lead is at 289. You’re thinking about the last time aren’t you?
WICKET! Tom Blundell c Gay b Archer 18 (New Zealand 204-5)
Blundell edges Archer wide of a diving Jacob Bethell at second slip and then swivels a pull shot fine for four more. Gone! Oh my England needed that, Blundell pulls again but in the air and down to Emilio Gay at long leg. The catch is well held by Gay who has fielded really well in this innings, he turns to the crowd behind him and gives it the big one! England still believe!
66th over: New Zealand 196-4 (Mitchell 49, Blundell 10) Ben Stokes goes full Richard Hadlee starfish in his appeal after hitting Mitchell on the pad with one that moves back late. It hit the big fella above the knee roll though and Stokes knew in his heart it was heading over the top. Mitchell’s wait for a fifty goes on, he’s been on 49 for 17 balls.
65th over: New Zealand 195-4 (Mitchell 49, Blundell 9) Blundell gets his first boundary with an angled poke wide of point. England have seen so much of this pair batting in the last few years, this must be up there with the most painful of those many passages of play.
64th over: New Zealand 190-4 (Mitchell 49, Blundell 4) Just a single to Blundell off Stokes. New Zealand’s run rate is only just above 2.4 rpo this innings. It’s been a slow, griping death of a day for England so far.
63rd over: New Zealand 189-4 (Mitchell 49, Blundell 3) Archer keeps Mitchell honest with a maiden, another ball scuttles low but England aren’t getting any breaks at the moment.
62nd over: New Zealand 189-4 (Mitchell 49, Blundell 3) How did that miss!? Stokes sends down a length ball and it just dies in the surface, Blundell tries to poke at it desperately but there’s nothing he can do about it at all as it seems to shave the outside of off stump. That is not a good sign for England who have to bat last on this surface. New Zealand’s lead is up to 273.
61st over: New Zealand 184-4 (Mitchell 47, Blundell 3) More pain for England after the interval as Blundell squirts an edge away off Archer for three runs to get off the mark. Stokes is going to bowl from the Radcliffe Road End, can he find a magic spell?
The players return to the middle in bright sunshine, apologies for the lack of updates during the lunch interval, I was collared by Daniel Norcross to talk cricket books on Test Match Special. La-di-dah.
Jofra Archer is going to start us off after lunch from the Stuart Broad End, England need some wickets pronto, otherwise things might get a wee bit grim. Lawrence Booth and Nick Hoult penning an elegiac appendices to their Bazball book as we speak?
Lunch – New Zealand 180-4, lead by 264 runs.
Atkinson finishes the final over before lunch, England are clinging on at Trent Bridge. Big afternoon session incoming.
59th over: New Zealand 180-4 (Mitchell 46, Blundell) Bashir celebrated that wicket with real gusto, a double fist pump and roar to the heavens. Blundell joins Mitchell on the stroke of lunch.
