Key events
Tea
49th over: New Zealand 166-4 (Mitchell 33, Blundell 23) Archer has a big appeal for LBW turned down when Mitchell pads up to an inducker. England have wasted two reviews, which means they daren’t risk a review. No matter: it would have bounced over the stumps.
A maiden from Archer brings an interesting session to an end: 24 overs, 91 runs and two wickets, one apiece for Josh Tongue and Sonny Baker.
When Baker struck New Zealand were 107 for 4, but the old (solicitor’s) firm of Mitchell and Blundell batted with authority and judgement in an unbroken partnership of 59.
48th over: New Zealand 166-4 (Mitchell 33, Blundell 23) Brook does swing the ball, so his introduction is not without logic. Mitchell turns an inswinger not far short of Gay at leg slip; in fact he’s one of two leg slips for exactly that stroke.
Time for one more over before tea.
47th over: New Zealand 164-4 (Mitchell 33, Blundell 21) “I’m at The Oval, wondering if I’m the first person ever to feel that Root is being too funky with his fields,” writes your friend and mine, Tim de Lisle. “He seems to be setting half the field for the pitch we’ve got (gullies and leg slips, waiting for the nicks from the lifters) and the other half for a flat track in Rawalpindi (silly mid-off and two silly mid-ons). Wondering if this makes more sense to you.”
Not really, though this response may mysteriously disappear when Mitchell is caught at short cover.
Sciver-Brunt to miss next two World Cup games
Here’s more from the ECB on the news that England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss at least their next two games at the World Cup.
England Women’s captain Nat Sciver-Brunt suffered a left calf muscle strain, in a similar location to her recent injury, while batting against Ireland Women in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group match in Southampton on Tuesday.
Following a scan on Wednesday and further assessment by the England medical team, she will be unavailable for the next two fixtures against Scotland and West Indies.
Nat will continue to be monitored and assessed by the England medical team as she undertakes her rehab while remaining in the squad.
Vice-captain Charlie Dean will lead the side on the field in Nat’s absence during the next two matches.
46th over: New Zealand 162-4 (Mitchell 31, Blundell 21) Brook continues, in fact, though it’s to no particular effect. Meanwhile, some very bad news for the England Women’s team: Nat Sciver-Brunt will miss their World Cup games against Scotland and West Indies after suffering a calf strain against Ireland last night. Urgh.
“Thanks for the reminder about the wonderful 1999 semi-final, Rob,” writes Richard O’Hagan. “I have always felt that it was nice of Australia and South Africa to put on such a great show and make us forget just how dire England were in that tournament.
Talking of 1999, and how bad England were, the latest episode of The Film Room on Sky Sports looks so good. The subject is England’s Test series against New Zealand in 1999. I had it on in the background without volume this morning. Every time I looked up, one or all of Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain and Phil Tufnell were convulsing with laughter.
45th over: New Zealand 158-4 (Mitchell 28, Blundell 25) The Sky commentator Mark Butcher (how good a pundit is he by the way?) thinks Brook came on so that Matt Fisher could change ends.
The introduction of Jofra Archer at the other end supports that view. Archer’s first ball is slightly short and cut expertly for four by Blundell. Later in the over, an inswinger flies away for four leg byes; New Zealand have scored 29 runs fom the last four overs.
44th over: New Zealand 149-4 (Mitchell 28, Blundell 21) And now for something completeley different: Harry Brook is having a bowl. The last time he bowled in a Test was that slightly petulant spell at the end of last summer’s Old Trafford Test against India – but he took some good wickets for Yorkshire against Surrey earlier in the season, including Jamie Smith clean bowled.
Mitchell’s occasional bowling was savaged by Brook at Wellington in 2022-23. (“Eeeee’s crap!” chirped Brook to his batting partner Joe Root after smashing another six.) Perhaps Mitchell has that in mind when he clears his front leg to larrup a boundary over wide mid-off, or perhaps I need to get out more.
43rd over: New Zealand 145-4 (Mitchell 24, Blundell 17) Mitchell opens the face to guide Fisher classily for four. Perhaps New Zealand have decided that now’s the time to put pressure back on England; they’ve added 21 runs in the last three overs.
42nd over: New Zealand 140-4 (Mitchell 19, Blundell 17) Out of nothing, Mitchell clears his front leg and smokes Baker over extra cover. So much for batting time! Blundell gets the same result later in the over with a more classical cover drive.
41st over: New Zealand 129-4 (Mitchell 14, Blundell 11) Mitchell guides Fisher behind square for the first of five runs in the over. New Zealand remain happy to bat time, knowing that England will eventually have to turn to their occasional spinners.
40th over: New Zealand 124-4 (Mitchell 11, Blundell 9) Baker ends another good over with a back-of-a-length that straightens sharply to beat Blundell’s outside edge.
39th over: New Zealand 122-4 (Mitchell 11, Blundell 7)
Mitchell is not out!
Or not. Fisher, back in the attack, bowled an outswinger to the right-hander that pitched on middle and straightened slightly to hit the pad. Alas, it didn’t straighten enough and would have missed leg stump.
England have lost two reviews.
England review for LBW against Mitchell!
This might be close you know.
38th over: New Zealand 118-4 (Mitchell 10, Blundell 4) Mitchell tries to take on a Baker bouncer but can only cloth it into the leg side for a single, one of two from the over. Baker has terrific figures: 8-2-19-1.
Cheers Jim, hello everyone. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell added 724 runs in three Tests against England on New Zealand’s last tour in 2022. That included four century partnerships; they’d love another one today because New Zealand are behind the eight ball. Quite why I’m using that metaphor I don’t know because I’ve never played billiards, but we are where we are.
James Wallace
37th over: New Zealand 116-4 (Mitchell 9, Blundell 3) Baker gets a rousing hand as he makes his way down to fine leg, a big grin on his face. Lovely to see. Tongue continues, Mitchell nearly flicks another one down the leg side to Cox at leg slip but the ball lands just short. Four! Mitchell throws the kitchen sink and the Breville Toastie Maker (yes I am interested in a sponsorship deal) at a wide one from Tongue, it flies up and away over Bethell at gully.
That’s me done for the day. Thanks for your company. Rob Smyth is here to take you through the rest of the day. Ta-ra.
36th over: New Zealand 109-4 (Mitchell 5, Blundell 1) Tom Blundell joins Daryl Mitchell in the middle with the visitors teetering. A 2022 style partnership between this pair would help. Blundell off the mark with a quick single into the off.
WICKET! Rachin Ravindra c Bethell b Baker 33 (New Zealand 107-4)
A maiden Test wicket for Sonny Baker! Ravindra pokes at a back of a length ball with an open blade, a bit of shape away sees the edge taken and the catch well held by Jacob Bethell. Another well set Kiwi batter departs, Kiwis in a spot of mither now.
35th over: New Zealand 107-3 (Ravindra 33, Mitchell 4) ‘Yes Rachin!’ hollers a Kiwi in the crowd as Ravindra gets forward to ping Tongue through the covers for four. That’s the hundred up for New Zealand. Four more. A top edge flies over the cordon.
34th over: New Zealand 98-3 (Ravindra 24, Mitchell 4) Sonny B replaces Matty F. A single to Rachy R and another to Dazzy M.
Sorry, I was up early. Bobby S will be here soon.
33rd over: New Zealand 96-3 (Ravindra 23, Mitchell 3) Ravindra stands on his tip toes and punches four through the off side. The Oval purrs in appreciation and the trumpeter parps the riff from Baker Street. Summer is here. Four more, looser this time from Rachin, flayed away past point. Doesn’t get a burst of Gerry Rafferty afterwards either.
32nd over: New Zealand 88-3 (Ravindra 15, Mitchell 3) Drop! The trap was set to Mitchell with Jordan Cox lurking at a wide leg slip. Mitchell steps across and middles one to Cox’s left but the debutant can’t cling on, shelling the catch into the turf. A load groan goes up around the Oval. Sharp chance but a chance nonetheless.
31st over: New Zealand 86-3 (Ravindra 14, Mitchell 2) Josh Tongue is a real handful, he cuts Ravindra in two like Paul Daniel’s did Debbie McGee in his pomp. A shorter ball clips Ravindra’s hip and runs away for four.
30th over: New Zealand 81-3 (Ravindra 14, Mitchell 1) Fisher finds some bounce from the Vauxhall End, Mitchell fences away from his body and is fortunate to not feather behind. A drop and run into the off sees ‘The Moose’ off the mark. Ravindra’s bat sounds so good, a satisfying crunch as he shows the makers name and sees out the rest of the over.
England have bowled tight lines since lunch.
(Blowin’ through my mind) and all the while I think of you
29th over: New Zealand 80-3 (Ravindra 13, Mitchell 0) Nicholls will be disappointed with that, he was well set and looked customarily composed at the crease. Daryl Mitchell is the new batter. Tongue sends down a bouncer first up with a leg gully in place. It’s too wild though and Rew has to get his Schmeichel on to prevent four byes.
WICKET! Henry Nicholls b Tongue 24 (New Zealand 79-3)
Chopped on! Tongue finds some extra bounce and it does for Henry Nicholls. A tentative blade and feet in concrete his downfall.
28th over: New Zealand 78-2 (Nicholls 24, Ravindra 13) The Fisher King – as absolutely no one is calling Matt Fisher – continues. Nicholls tucks a single off his hip and Ravindra collects another single with a glance to leg. Steady accumulation.
27th over: New Zealand 76-2 (Nicholls 23, Ravindra 12) Tongue from the Pavilion End. Whistles through a maiden. The OBO’s own Daniel Gallan wanders over from the bleachers and tells me that the smell of braai is actually just his natural musk. With that he disappears, like a South African Keyser Soze.
26th over: New Zealand 76-2 (Nicholls 23, Ravindra 12) Erm… a ball from Fisher keeps low outside off stump and is inside edged past the stumps by Ravindra. Not again please! Just the single off the over, bit of a breeze here at the Oval and it keeps gusting the most phenomenal smell of barbecued meat past the outdoor press box seating. Someone is cooking up a storm on the Harleyford Road it seems, England are trying to cook up a wicket, here comes Josh Tongue.
Right then, the players gather on the boundary edge ready to take the field for the afternoon session. Sunny skies above, Matt Fisher has the ball for England. Nicholls and Ravindra to resume. Let’s play.
Lunchtime Reading:
Lunch – New Zealand 75-2
25th over: New Zealand 75-2 (Nicholls 23, Ravindra 11) Archer tucks up Nicholls with a short ball. The batter then misses out with a cut that he middles straight to Ben Duckett. Archer then squares up Nicholls and an edge is taken but it flies wide of the cordon and away for four. Nicholls leaves the final ball of the session and the players head off for lunch.
Even Stevens for that session I reckon, Joe Root applauds his men and the crowd give a hand too, an absorbing morning session.
24th over: New Zealand 71-2 (Nicholls 19, Ravindra 11) Ravindra has made a positive start, he picks up three with a controlled drive into the covers. Jordan Cox does some neat work on the boundary edge, the ‘cheddar’ of his resplendent ginger mullet billowing in the south London breeze.
We’ll have one more over from Jofra Archer before the delayed lunch break.
23rd over: New Zealand 66-2 (Nicholls 17, Ravindra 8) Shot! Can I confess that I hope Ravindra gets runs here… I love watching him bat. Archer angles one into the pads and is put away with aplomb to the midwicket boundary.
22nd over: New Zealand 62-2 (Nicholls 17, Ravindra 4) Fisher replaces Baker. England have their dander up with about ten minutes to go until lunch. Nicholls is watchful and blocks out a maiden.
“Crikey! Watching on TV in Taiwan while following OBO.” writes Ben Ashton.
“I said to the TV it was a shame Stokesy wasn’t playing. My Taiwanese wife walked past and asked, ‘Isn’t Stokes the bloke who’s the captain with all the tattoos, why’s he not playing?’ I said it’s because he went to a nightclub a week last Monday, she said ‘He can’t still be hungover’. Forget the cricket – hearing a Taiwanese woman use the word ‘bloke’ felt like a greater English triumph. By ‘eck, she’ll be a Yorkshire lass yet!”
21st over: New Zealand 62-2 (Nicholls 17, Ravindra 4) Rachin Ravindra arrives in the middle, he’ll be very keen to rack some up and put his stinker at Lord’s well and truly behind him. That’s a nice start, a half volley on the pads is pinged away for four through midwicket. That’s exactly what Latham was trying to do with the ball before but he was too late on the shot.
WICKET! Tom Latham c Bethell b Archer 27 (New Zealand 58-2)
Four leg byes as Archer spears one down and it clips Nicholls on the thigh pad. Another single follows off the very same. GONE! Latham tries to flick a full ball into the leg side and the leading edge is pouched by Jacob Bethell at gully.
20th over: New Zealand 53-1 (Latham 27, Nicholls 17) A second maiden from Baker, he’s settled well into Test cricket.
19th over: New Zealand 53-1 (Latham 27, Nicholls 17) It is Jofra from the Pavilion End. Nicholls gets inside a wide-ish delivery outside off stump and carves over the infield for four. Archer responds by getting a couple to jag away late. Fifty up for New Zealand, it’s been proper criggit this morning.
18th over: New Zealand 47-1 (Latham 27, Nicholls 11) Jofra is warming up for a pre-lunch spell. Baker has a short mid on in for the leading edge, he gives the middle of the pitch a good going over and it’s a maiden.
Here are the official re-arranged timings because of the early rain:
1st session: 11:30-13:30
Lunch: 13:30-14:10
2nd session: 14:10-16:10
Tea: 16:10-16:30
3rd session: 16:30-18:30
Extra 30 minutes available to bowl the overs
17th over: New Zealand 47-1 (Latham 27, Nicholls 11) Tongue blots his copybook with the final ball of his over, too short, too wide and Nicholls throws his hands at it, up and over backward point for four.
16th over: New Zealand 42-1 (Latham 26, Nicholls 7) New Zealand are accumulating nicely now, seven runs pocketed off Baker’s third. Can’t wait til he’s bowled 12 overs and I can dust off the gag to end all gags.
15th over: New Zealand 35-1 (Latham 19, Nicholls 7) Nasty. Tongue slams down a sharp bouncer at 88mph and Latham does well to sway out of the way.
“Cricket may be a religion for some of us, but we don’t officially use the term ‘canons’ as there are no clerics involved.” Writes John Starbuck. “‘Cannons’ is what you were meaning.”
I stand corrected… said the man in the orthopedic shoes.
14th over: New Zealand 31-1 (Latham 18, Nicholls 4) Latham and Nicholls pinch four runs off Sonny Baker. The sun is beating down now in South London, if New Zealand can negotiate the next hour or so then there are plenty or runs to be scored on this track.
“In light of their disciplinary troubles, have England deliberately gone for more a workman-like attack with a Baker an Archer and a Fisher?” asks Daniel Wilson.
Girds loinded for Henry Candlestick-Maker to make his debut against Pakistan in August.
