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England staring at big defeat after collapse leaves New Zealand on verge of series victory

Nick Hoult
·55-min read
England captain Joe Root reacts as he walks off the field after losing his wicket during the third day of the second cricket test match between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham, - AP
England captain Joe Root reacts as he walks off the field after losing his wicket during the third day of the second cricket test match between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston in Birmingham, - AP

A crushing, dispiriting defeat looms for England. James Anderson will not look back happily on his record breaking 162nd Test but then again he has never played in an England team with a batting line up as weak as the one picked for this series.

England plumbed the depths at Edgbaston at the end of a desperate week that will culminate on Sunday morning with Joe Root losing his first home series as captain. After the Ollie Robinson affair and the failure to gauge the mood and have a crack at the Lord’s run chase, England have been exposed by a New Zealand side that is warming up for a bigger prize.

England blew the chance to bat first on a good pitch, picked the wrong XI again, dropped catches and their new-ball bowling lacked the potency showed by Matt Henry here and Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee last week. New Zealand appear to have a production line that churns out identical orthodox, composed batsmen like the Cadbury factory makes Dairy Milks down the road from Edgbaston. By contrast England’s top seven has recorded 18 ducks in eight Tests so far this year; an assortment of soft centres that would have failed Cadbury’s quality control.

New Zealand have not missed Kane Williamson or BJ Watling in this Test in the same way that England badly needed Ben Stokes and Buttler, two direct equivalents as senior players.

Stokes would have added his immense skills as a cricketer of course but also an unquantifiable edge, an ability to lift the team and the crowd when they go flat. The decision to not chase their target last week smacked of a caution that is alien to Stokes.

New Zealand celebrate the early wicket of Rory Burns - PA
New Zealand celebrate the early wicket of Rory Burns - PA

In the absence of his two adjutants Buttler and Stokes, Root shouldered the burden alone and he looked broken as he dragged himself off after a painful innings of 11 off 61 balls that was so out of character.

By then England were 76 for seven, still short of avoiding an innings defeat after New Zealand worked their way up to 388 to take an 85-run lead. England rallied with Olly Stone and Mark Wood to stretch the match to Sunday but are 122 for nine and only 37 ahead. New Zealand’s Sunday morning work should be short and sweet.

England’s batting folded pathetically under pressure from New Zealand providing a reminder of just how much this team needs to learn with four of the top seven aged 24 or under. You can blame rotation and indulging IPL players but of the top seven James Bracey is the only fringe player; the rest started the summer as either Ashes certainties or contenders and were given decent pitches to bat on.

New Zealand pitched fuller than England which sends a message to Broad and Anderson and that is why they found more movement to induce the mistakes. They held their slips chances too. Henry bowled a brilliant opening spell of three for 23 from eight overs that is probably still not enough to earn him a place against India in the World Test Championship final.

Rory Burns did not give himself a chance flashing a big drive at his second ball that flew to second slip for a two ball duck. England had lost their only in-form batsman with the score on nought.

Dom Sibley was turned around and straightened up by Henry producing a bit of bounce and movement outside off stump that found the edge. Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will be replaying that one online.

Zak Crawley played some nice strokes but was plumb lbw from Henry, just nipping the ball in enough off the seam to beat the bat. Ollie Pope, like Crawley, also briefly flowered but Neil Wagner was reconnoitring the front pad and soon sneaked through an inswinger, squaring up Pope who missed the ball comfortably. He was miffed by the decision with Hawkeye proving it only trimmed the bails but it was a poor shot and he could well be dropped against India.

Dan Lawrence only lasted two balls and was caught behind pushing at the ball slanted across him from Wagner, possibly holding back expecting the inswinger into the pads.

Bracey was given a huge cheer when he scored his first run in Test cricket at the third attempt but he will spend a long time stewing on his England career before he is given another chance. He was out sweeping Ajaz Patel, exposing his stumps to be bowled off his gloves.

New Zealand's Ajaz Patel (3R) celebrates after New Zealand's Tom Blundell (L) caught England's Joe Root off his bowling on the third day of the second Test cricket match between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston Cricket  - AFP
New Zealand's Ajaz Patel (3R) celebrates after New Zealand's Tom Blundell (L) caught England's Joe Root off his bowling on the third day of the second Test cricket match between England and New Zealand at Edgbaston Cricket - AFP

While those wickets were tumbling Root could not find the middle of his bat or get the ball off the square, a worrying sight for England and the captain who is now halfway through a defining year in his career that started so well in Sri Lanka and Chennai but has sunk badly since. It was almost a blessing when he was caught behind, walking off before being given out.

England dropped three catches, costing a total of 121 runs. Bracey conceded 13 byes, some he could do nothing about, and flapped at a few regulation takes. He missed Tom Blundell on nought diving to his right, the ball striking him on the wrist rather than in the glove and he spent a good while beating himself up, kicking the turf in disappointment.

Ross Taylor battled his way back into form on Friday night and took the attack to England in the first hour, chancing his arm but showing the positivity of a team now used to winning.

Taylor was dropped by sub fielder Sam Billings at long leg flapping at a hook off Broad as the first hour rattled along for New Zealand. Root pulled his team together during the drinks break and delivered a rollicking that worked; Stone finding Taylor’s edge third ball after the restart with Bracey holding a good catch but was soon holding his head when he missed Blundell, the second chance to go down off Stone in the Test. Broad wrapped the innings up with figures of four for 48 and England had rallied well to concede only 85 run lead. However, New Zealand found that advantage was more than enough.

Silverwood admits that changes to batting line-up are needed

By Tim Wigmore

England head coach Chris Silverwood admitted that England would be forced to consider changes to their batting line-up after Saturday’s humiliating collapse left them facing their first Test series defeat at home since 2014.

Zak Crawley, whose 17 took his Test tally in 2021 to 123 at 10.3 apiece, Dom Sibley, who scored eight and is averaging 21.4 in eight Tests this year, and Ollie Pope, who scored 23 and is averaging 21.5 this year, are all under pressure for their places.

“Its certainly something that we’ll be looked at,” Silverwood said. “I’ll be keeping my mind wide open, that is for definite. So, if people are getting runs I’ll be taking notice.”

England’s next Test match is the start of the five-Test series against India, the world No 1 side, on Aug 4, with the away Ashes series following. While Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler are certain to return, Yorkshire’s Dawid Malan also has a strong case to be recalled.

Silverwood admitted that the series had exposed a gulf between the sides. New Zealand dominated the first Test at Lord’s, with England fortunate that a day was lost to rain.

Despite making six changes for the Edgbaston Test – with players rested ahead of the World Test Championship final against India on Friday – New Zealand are on the brink of their first Test series victory in England since 1999.

“It’s disappointing – it’s not what we wanted,” Silverwood said. “New Zealand have given us a lesson in how to be the No 1 side in the world. Our young batsmen can learn off their batsmen, and we knew it was going to be difficult coming into this series with a young batting line-up.

“It is a great lesson for our guys, to see what they need to do better to be in that position one day. We need to work on our batting, there’s no point running away from it. We need to get in the nets and figure it out.

“It’s a little bit of technique and mental. They’ve got to get in the nets and work with the coaches to find something that works with their technique.”

After limiting New Zealand to 388, a first-innings lead of 85, England had aspirations of amassing a strong third-innings total, with conditions at Edgbaston excellent for batting.

But, after Rory Burns fell second ball of the innings, England produced a pitiful batting display, with No 9 Mark Wood top-scoring with 29. Henry dislodged all of England’s top three in an excellent new-ball spell, before Neil Wagner and Ajaz Patel took two wickets apiece.

Silverwood said the good work of the bowling attack to prevent New Zealand amassing an even bigger first-innings lead, as looked likely at 292 for three, was undermined by the poor batting display. “It’s part and parcel of our game plan, to get big first-innings runs on the board and then have enough runs to be able to bowl sides out,” Silverwood said.

“We know we have the bowling attack that can do that. It’s a constant work on. We are trying to put those big runs on. We have got to make sure that we do. Obviously, we haven’t this time round.”

Silverwood denied that recent off-field controversies – Ollie Robinson was suspended after the first Test, pending an ECB investigation into his past tweets, and the ECB has announced a “social media review” of historic posts – had disrupted the side.

“I don’t think it has. We’ve tried very hard to make sure that the noise on the outside has been quietened down to try and concentrate on cricket. Obviously, it’s not easy, but that’s what we’ve had to try and do because we had a Test match to try and compete in.”

England’s batting was widely criticised by former players. “You thought it’d be tough for 20 overs for England but not overly tough – about average for English conditions,” Alastair Cook said.

“They didn’t bat well enough. They have a fragile line-up.”

As it happened

05:48 PM

England coach Chris Silverwood speaks...

On the day for his side…

“It was disappointing not what we wanted at the start of the day.”

On what they need to do after today’s collapse…

“The young batters can take lessons from today. This is a great lesson as to learning what we need to do to get better.”

How they can improve…

“There’s no point hiding from it, we have to get in the nets and figure it out.”

On whether it’s mental or technical problems at fault….

“It probably a little bit of both. They have to get in the nets and find a method that works for them.”

On the England bowlers…

“I was happy with the bowlers - I have a lot of belief in them, We just need to give them something to bowl at [more often].”

On New Zealand…

“They’ve been fantastic, they’ve had people get in and score big runs [the past two Tests].”

05:38 PM

What can you say about that then?

Abject, poor, pretty useless are just some words that spring to mind. This is a good, flat pitch, one that should not pose serious questions of England's batsmen's techniques. But from the second ball - when Rory Burns wafted at a full, wide delivery and was caught at slip - the hosts' batting has been found wanting once again. They head into the fourth morning only 37 runs ahead and with only one wicket in hand.

As for New Zealand, well, they have been brilliant, disciplined and once on top have never surrendered their advantage. Remember, they made six frontline changes for this match.

05:33 PM

OVER 41: ENG 122/9 (Stone 15* Anderson 0*)

Wagner bowls what should/could/may well be the last over of the day. Stone gets a single off the third to bring Anderson on strike. Wagner beats the bat with the penultimate ball and manages to avoid the last.

And it is indeed stumps…

05:29 PM

OVER 40: ENG 121/9 (Stone 14* Anderson 0*)

Anderson is the last man in - I reckon he won’t be too happy with how the batsmen have performed. He, along with the other bowlers, know how hard you should have to bowl on this pitch. He will be only too aware that this isn’t a 121 all out pitch.

05:25 PM

Wicket!! Broad b Boult 1

Broad misses a straight full one as he tries to launch one into the stand.

FOW - 121/9

05:23 PM

OVER 39: ENG 121/78 (Stone 14* Broad 1*)

Broad comes in and gets off the mark first ball, but not without nearly getting Stone run out at the strikers end. Replay shows that had Mitchell hit Stone was gone.

05:21 PM

Wicket!! Wood c Blundell b Wagner 29

Finally the New Zealanders get their wish - the ball has been changed. Wood tries to launch the ‘new’ ball into the stands it goes for four byes off his shoulder. Wagner tries another bouncer and gets his man - Wood tries to pull but it goes up very high (possibly with snow on it) and Blundell takes the easiest catch of his career.

FOW - 120/8

05:16 PM

OVER 38: ENG 115/7 (Stone 13* Wood 29*)

Boult appeals for an lbw - a shout which has absolutely nothing going for it. The tourists then try to change the ball for a third time in three overs - the umpires again turns their request down. Wood then gets one that bounces on him, he plays it well, getting on top of it and steering it for four down to the vacant third man region. He then tops that with a fine in the air for another boundary. Wood looks in good touch and perhaps could give some tips to the top order after the match is over..?

05:11 PM

OVER 37: ENG 107/7 (Stone 13* Wood 21*)

Stone moves into double figures with a hit through midwicket for four. Patel won’t mind that as the England man played that against the spin. Two balls later the spinner gets one to go on with the arm and somehow Stone’s wickets are not rearranged. Four from that over. Both Stone and Wood are proving that this is a fine pitch to bat on.

05:08 PM

OVER 36: ENG 103/7 (Stone 9* Wood 21*)

What has been a feature of the is series is both teams wanting to change the ball at what seems like regular intervals. New Zealand try their luck twice in this over and both times umpire Illingworth tells them to get on with it. Wood takes on a Henry short ball, the New Zealanders are excited and shout ‘catch’ but it lands well short of the man at deep square leg.

05:04 PM

OVER 35: ENG 101/7 (Stone 8* Wood 20*)

The plan for these tailenders will be to free there arms and try and eke out some sort of lead, however slim. As I type that Patel bowls a brisk maiden.

05:01 PM

OVER 34: ENG 101/7 (Stone 8* Wood 20*)

Henry is bowling a tight line, giving the batsmen no width to play with. Just one off the over.

04:57 PM

OVER 33: ENG 100/7 (Stone 7* Wood 20*)

Wood is having some fun and is a half-decent batsman. He charges down the pitch to Patel and smacks him for a four over his head. Next up the spinner bowls it short and Wood cuts him for another boundary. That brings up England’s 100.

04:55 PM

OVER 32: ENG 92/7 (Stone 7* Wood 12*)

Wood nudges a single to push the lead to seven. Henry then bowls Stone a good, sharp bouncer which the England man did well to avoid.

04:51 PM

OVER 31: ENG 91/7 (Stone 7* Wood 11*)

Wood has a bit of fun hitting Patel for a six and New Zealand have to bat again. He gets a single off the last.

04:48 PM

OVER 30: ENG 84/7 (Stone 7* Wood 4*)

Henry, the man who started the collapse, is back on. Stone is studious in defence before he hits the opener through cover for four. England now only trail by one - let’s jump for joy!

04:44 PM

OVER 29: ENG 80/7 (Stone 3* Wood 4*)

What’s this?! Why, it’s a lonely, rare bit of joy for England as Wood makes room off Patel and cuts the spinner to the boundary. Those are the only runs off the over.

04:42 PM

OVER 28: ENG 76/7 (Stone 3* Wood 0*)

First ball of the Wagner over sees Stone flash at it outside off - it's the perfect illustration of England’s failings, he didn’t need to play at it but he did and nearly lost his wicket. Can you really blame him, though, if he sees the batters at the top of the order do the same thing? As for New Zealand they have been everything England have not - but one word stands out: discipline. Where the hosts have been reckless, the tourists have been disciplined. And remember they made six frontline changes for this match…A maiden from the impressive Wagner

04:38 PM

OVER 27: ENG 76/7 (Stone 3* Wood 0*)

To state the obvious, England are in deep trouble here. They are still nine behind with only three wickets in hand…what are the odds on a truly embarrassing innings defeat?

04:36 PM

Wicket!! Root c Blundell b Patel 11

Ajaz Patel is giving the ball a fair bit of air and Root is meeting it, getting forward and smothering any turn out there. Patel then gets one to bounce on the England skipper, Root moves to cut it and he’s caught behind by Blundell.

FOW - 76/7

04:33 PM

OVER 26: ENG 76/6 (Stone 3* Root 11*)

Wagner is bowling well and has most of the over to bowl to Stone. He nearly gets one through - a full delivery that swings in. Stone does well to keep it out. Indeed he does well to get behind the ball the rest of the over as well.

04:28 PM

Classy Kiwis

04:27 PM

OVER 25: ENG 75/6 (Stone 3* Root 10*)

Patel floats one up to Stone who glances it for two to fine leg. He then plays back to a full delivery which excites the New Zealand close fielders, he survives.

04:23 PM

OVER 25: ENG 73/6 (Stone 1* Root 10*)

Wagner and New Zealand are happy to give Root a single so that they can have a go at the new batsman. Stone pushes at one with hard hands but it doesn’t carry to third slip.

04:19 PM

OVER 24: ENG 71/6 (Stone 0* Root 9*)

This is your half-hourly reminder that this is a flat pitch - there are no snakes in it (as Boycott used to say). It’s a good sunny day, there are no clouds in the sky and it’s a fine day to bat…

Stone comes to the crease with England six down and still 14 behind.

04:15 PM

Wicket!! Bracey b Patel 8

Ajaz Patel returns and with his third ball bowls Bracey who went too far across and dragged it on while trying to sweep.

FOW - 71/6

04:12 PM

OVER 22: ENG 71/5 (Bracey 8* Root 9*)

Root is battling here at the moment. He’s not found his rhythm, not yet scored a boundary and is five off 45 at the start of the over. He’s not playing and missing, though, so take the positive out the negative and all that…He then finds that elusive four with a glance off a Wagner freebie down leg side. That should do him the world of good.

04:08 PM

OVER 21: ENG 67/5 (Bracey 8* Root 5*)

Welcome (properly) to Test cricket for Bracey who hits his first four with a pull to the mid-wicket boundary off Boult. The Kiwi pace ace then makes him play and miss before Bracey does what too few of his team-mates have managed - leave the ball outside off. Boult then bowls at him and he scampers a two.

04:04 PM

OVER 20: ENG 61/5 (Bracey 2* Root 5*)

England are up against it. It’s simply a case of stay in by any means at this point. Bracey gets single to get Root on strike and the England captain is made to play at every delivery in another fine over from Wagner.

04:01 PM

Leave it well alone

04:00 PM

OVER 19: ENG 60/5 (Bracey 1* Root 5*)

Boult is back into the attack. He’s looking to swing the ball away from Bracey then possibly get one to keep straight and threaten the stumps. Bracey survives and there's just a bye off that over.

03:56 PM

OVER 18: ENG 59/5 (Bracey 1* Root 5*)

Don’t be fooled by the scorecard, this is still a good pitch to bat on…Bracey comes out into the middle still looking for his first run in Test cricket. And he’s off whatever three ducks in a row is called (anyone?!) with a push into legside - the crowd rise and cheer as if England have just won the World Cup. Somewhere Australians (Australia, presumably...) are licking their lips...

03:53 PM

Wicket!! Lawrence c Blundell b Wagner 0

England are falling apart - it's first-baller for Lawrence. Wagner bowls one across the right-hander from over the wicket he Essex man plays and gets the faintest of edges to Blundell behind the stumps.

FOW - 58-5

03:49 PM

OVER 17: ENG 58/4 (Lawrence 0* Root 5*)

Ajaz Patel comes into the attack - Root plays the left-arm spinner’s first over well. It’s a maiden.

03:47 PM

OVER 16: ENG 58/4 (Lawrence 0* Root 5*)

England are now four down and still trailing by 27

03:46 PM

Wicket!! Pope lbw b Wagner 23

Wagner gives Pope some width and he doesn’t miss out on those and cuts for four. The last ball of the over he is pinged back onto the crease and is wrapped on the pads. Wagner appeals for lbw and it’s given out. Pope, after a chat with his skipper at the other end, decides to review. The only thing that can save him here is the height. AND it’s umpire’s call and he’s out.

FOW - 58/4

03:40 PM

Crawley crisis

03:39 PM

OVER 15: ENG 53/3 (Pope 19* Root 5*)

Henry continues and Roots gets forward to push the ball down the ground for a three - that brings up the 50 for the hosts. Pope makes that 53, playing off his legs to mid-wicket for the second three of the over.

03:35 PM

OVER 14: ENG 47/3 (Pope 16* Root 2*)

Wagner comes on for Boult and Root, ever watchful (unlike some of his team-mates) plays out five dot balls before finally getting to two with a single to fine leg.

03:33 PM

It don't mean a thing without that swing

03:31 PM

OVER 13: ENG 46/3 (Pope 16* Root 1*)

Pope gets a couple before he plays a textbook drive through extra-cover. He got his weight forward and caressed the ball to the boundary - shot of the innings so far, Ian Bell-esque. That’s followed up with another fine shot - a glance off his legs that goes for two. Once again the Surrey man has a start, he’s 16 off 11. At the other end Root is one off 24.

03:25 PM

OVER 12: ENG 38/3 (Pope 8* Root 1*)

Boult comes around the wicket to Pope. The first one keeps low (one of many that have since tea). The second is edged for four just past the slip cordon, Pope played that with soft hands. There are three men on the leg side but that doesn’t deter him from taking a quick single. Five from the over.

03:22 PM

OVER 11: ENG 33/3 (Pope 3* Root 1*)

Out comes Pope to bat - a player who, like most of this England top order, is under pressure. He gets off the mark first ball with a three down the ground. England are still 52 runs behind with seven wicket left...

03:19 PM

Wicket!! Crawley lbw b Henry 17

A fullish Henry ball catches Crawley on the crease, it’s given out on the field having hit him on his back pad. He reviews nonetheless BUT the decision says the same.

FOW - 30-3

03:15 PM

OVER 10: ENG 30/2 (Crawley 17* Root 1*)

Not wanting to tempt fate but Crawley is looking as good as he has done in a while - he plays a delightful flick off his legs for three. That was pure timing and a good sign for the under-pressure batsman. Boult then comes around the wicket to Root, trying to bring lbw into play. He gets one to move away and Root plays and misses - fine bowling.

03:12 PM

OVER 9: ENG 27/2 (Crawley 14* Root 1*)

Root can sometimes get trapped on the crease - that’s how Cummins and Hazelwood try to get him out, push the ball up there and hope the skipper isn’t moving his legs early on. That’s clearly the plan of Henry and Boult here and Root his desperately trying to get on that front foot to meet the ball. He meets two Henry deliveries with forward prods played with soft hands, the ball fielded in the slips on both occasions. The ball isn’t carrying to the keeper as it was earlier today.

03:07 PM

OVER 8: ENG 27/2 (Crawley 14* Root 1*)

Boult is bowing over the wicket to Root and gets one to leave the England captain, that was a millimetre from finding the edge. Root then gets off the mark with a push to mid-wicket.

03:04 PM

OVER 7: ENG 26/2 (Crawley 14* Root 0*)

Henry continues after tea - why wouldn’t he? He has two for seven so far. He beats Crawley’s bat but the ball dies on Blundell behind the stumps and that’s four byes - welcome runs for England. Crawley then gets into double figures with a fine on-drive. The bat comes down straight and meets the ball with a full face and it’s Crawley’s second boundary. What a shot!

03:00 PM

Final session of the day

Is about to start. It's still a good pitch - Rob Key on Sky is saying it looks like a better pitch than on the morning of day one...

02:44 PM

TEA - OVER 6: ENG 18/2 (Crawley 10* Root 0*)

This is very much squeaky-bum time for England. Crawley edges one that doesn’t carry and then plays the third ball having looked set to leave it. They just have to hang in there and make to to tea (which should be any minute now...). Crawley gets off strike with a drive that’s well stopped in the field. Root plays two dot balls and it is indeed time for tea.

England are 67 behind with both openers already back in the shed. This pair needs to build a partnership - no wafts outside off peg would help in that task.

02:39 PM

OVER 5: ENG 17/2 (Crawley 9* Root 0*)

Henry has bowled well this Test - he’s clearly much better than his stats suggest. Root is in early once again…

02:37 PM

Wicket!! Sibley c Mitchell b Henry 8

Henry gets one in the corridor and stuck to his crease and square on Sibley edges to the slips where Mitchell takes a good catch…This is what I had written before that ball - humble apologies...Sibley hasn’t played a false shot yet (sorry if that jinxes him…). He’s looking solid in defence and, so far, has left well.

FOW - 17/2

02:33 PM

OVER 4: ENG 17/1 (Crawley 9* Sibley 8*)

Crawley plays and misses at a full-pitched Boult delivery before playing an exquisite off drive down the ground. That was the Crawley of his double ton against Pakistan last summer. Those are the only runs off the over.

02:30 PM

OVER 3: ENG 13/1 (Crawley 5* Sibley 8*)

Sibley gets forward to a Henry ball and angles it perfectly to the vacant third-man area for four. Five from the over.

02:26 PM

Here's that awful start

02:26 PM

OVER 2: ENG 8/1 (Crawley 4* Sibley 4*)

Boult comes over the wicket to Sibley who plays a defensive push down the ground for three. Crawley’s now on strike with three slips and a gully - we await the full and wide tempter for the Kent batsman. It comes straight away but Crawley shows the full face of the bat and he gets three through extra-cover for what should be a confidence-inducing shot - leaning into it, high elbow: textbook. Six off the over.

02:21 PM

OVER 1: ENG 2/1 (Crawley 1* Sibley 1*)

Just what England didn’t want to happen - Burns plays a poor shot (the sort you play when in after 30-40 overs, not the second ball…) and that brings the very-much-under-pressure Crawley to the wicket. He gets off the mark with a flick off his pads, Sibley too gets a quick single and it’s 2/1 off the first.

02:18 PM

Wicket!! Burns c Latham b Henry 0

Awful start for the hosts! Henry bowls the second ball of the innings wide and full AND IT'S THE SAME OLD FAILING as Burns has a go at it and it flies straight to Latham at second slip.

FOW 0/0

02:16 PM

Burns to face the first over

Can he capitalise on his good form?

02:14 PM

Missed opportunity for the Kiwis?

You'd have to say yes - England bowled well today BUT the tourists are still well on top.

02:11 PM

New Zealand lead by 85 after the first innings

England bowled well today. On a decent batting track Broad, Wood, Stone and Anderson all put in good shifts and reduced what was looking like a 100-plus lead from New Zealand to a still healthy 85-run one. Broad was the pick of the bunch with four for 48.

Can England's batting lineup keep the extravagant shots in the dressing room and eat into the lead and set their attack something to bowl at in the last innings? Let's find out...

02:07 PM

Wicket!! Patel lbw b Broad 20

Broad appeals for lbw first ball - the umpire says it's not out but Root and Co review. And what a decision - Hawkeye shows it was hitting leg stump and that’s the innings over.

New Zealand 388 all out

02:04 PM

OVER 119: NZ 388/9 (Boult 12* Patel 20*)

Root brings himself on in a bid to induce a slog into the hands of one of the England fielders. Patel isn’t tempted and gets a single with a prod to the leg side. Boult is then on strike and comes down the pitch and hits the straightest of drives over Root’s head for a brutal four. The lead is now a healthy 85.

02:01 PM

OVER 118: NZ 383/9 (Boult 8* Patel 19*)

Boult stands back in his crease and tries to launch Broad over his head. It doesn’t work out how he wanted BUT the inside edge does avoid the stumps and runs for four. Broad doesn’t look best pleased. That was a proper tailender shot - delightful to see! He then plays what can only be described as a forearm-jabbed baseball shot that goes for another four down the ground. This partnership is now worth 22 off 14 balls.

01:55 PM

OVER 117: NZ 375/9 (Boult 0* Patel 19*)

Patel pulls Wood for a couple to deep midwicket, he then plays a beautiful shot, giving himself some room and whipping the ball for four. There then follows a leave that ramps up his bat, flies wide of slip and goes for another four. Another two ends the over - well batted Patel. Twelve off the over and the lead is now 72.

01:50 PM

OVER 116: NZ 361/9 (Boult 0* Patel 5*)

Boult is on strike for the remaining deliveries of the Broad over and survives.

01:48 PM

Wicket!! Blundell c Root b Broad 34

Broad takes the first over after drinks - Blundell doesn’t seem to be playing more aggressively until the third ball when he dashes at a wide one and Root takes a good catch at first slip.

FOW- 361/9

01:42 PM

True pace ace

01:42 PM

OVER 115: NZ 361/8 (Blundell 34* Patel 5*)

Blundell gets a quick single off the first and Patel is back on strike with five Wood balls to go - shouldn’t it be the other way around?? Anyhow, Wood comes steaming in and again Patel survives - in the process hitting a full toss to the cover boundary. Meanwhile a Mexican Wave starts at a well-oiled Edgbaston.

01:37 PM

OVER 114: NZ 356/8 (Blundell 33* Patel 1*)

Patel is batting well here - he’s getting in behind the ball - I’ve seen worse No.10s…He played out a maiden to that Anderson over.

01:33 PM

OVER 113: NZ 356/8 (Blundell 33* Patel 1*)

Patel is on strike at the start of the Wood over. First up is a bouncer to peg the batsman back in his crease. It’s the same story for the third delivery, one that goes past Patel’s nose at 88 mph - the batsman did well there, looking at it all the way. Then comes a 94 mph ball that the Kiwi plays on the front foot. It’s a leg bye for the last and Patel remains on strike.

01:29 PM

OVER 112: NZ 355/8 (Blundell 33* Patel 1*)

Anderson continues and starts with an enthusiastic appeal for lbw - Blundell was falling over the ball and it would have gone down leg. The Kiwi batsman show a bit of flair with a swivel shot down to fine leg. Anderson then has two balls at the No.10. The first Patel plays well, getting forward and playing it along the ground to gully. The last ball he gets in behind the ball, plays to leg and gets a single.

The New Zealand lead is 52 - they’ll want it to be a bit more than that to feel completely comfortable.

01:24 PM

OVER 111: NZ 353/8 (Blundell 32* Patel 0*)

Hawkeye reveals Wood’s wicket ball would have sent leg stump cartwheeling. Patel is the new batsman and now is probably the time for Blundell to throw his bat at the ball and get some quick runs. The last two Kiwi batsmen aren’t much with willow in hand.

01:22 PM

Wicket!! Henry lbw b Wood 12

Wood returns and starts off with an 85mph ball. He’s keeping Henry on his toes, the Kiwi batsman staying leg side of the ball trying to give himself room. The dial is pushed up towards 90mph, perhaps time for Root to put in a short leg for the tailender? Wood then pushes one right up there and it’s plumb lbw! That hit the 90mph mark.

FOW - 353/8

01:18 PM

OVER 110: NZ 353/7 (Blundell 32* Henry 12*)

Another Anderson over and it’s another maiden to add to his huge career collection.

01:16 PM

OVER 109: NZ 353/7 (Blundell 32* Henry 12*)

England’s seamers have all put good shifts in and with those quick wickets pegged the Kiwis back. But the lack of a spinner is and looks likely will cost England, especially come the fourth innings. Henry looks like a decent batsman - he plays a fine push for four through the covers. Stone then pitches one up and Henry has a go - he slashes at the wide one and slashes hard. It goes over the slips for four. If you slash, slash hard is the old adage…

01:11 PM

Despite those wickets New Zealand are still overwhelming favourites

01:10 PM

OVER 108: NZ 345/7 (Blundell 32* Henry 4*)

Blundell is looking solid out there. He’s placing a lot of trust in Henry and not throwing the bat around, which you suspect he will do if batting with Patel and Boult. He plays out a maiden of that Anderson over.

01:07 PM

OVER 107: NZ 345/7 (Blundell 32* Henry 4*)

Blundell is supposed to be susceptible to the pitched-up delivery but he plays a majestic ‘oh look at me’ drive of Stone - he lent on it and it was four from the moment it left the bat. Henry then gets in on the act with a perfectly played pull to the boundary. The lead is now 42.

01:04 PM

OVER 106: NZ 336/7 (Blundell 27* Henry 0*)

Two quick wickets have brought England back into this Test. Anderson appeals for an lbw off the new batsman, Henry . It looks like it’s going down leg but Root and the England brains trust decide to review. Let’s see what technology tells us - it tells us there was the thinnest of inside edges (the slickest slick) onto his pad and it stays not out.

12:59 PM

Wicket!! Wagner b Anderson 0

The veteran comes around the wicket, Wagner is stuck on his crease it comes off his pad and then hits the top of off. In his record-breaking Test Jimmy has his first wicket. Joyful scenes.

FOW - 335/7

12:56 PM

OVER 105: NZ 335/6 (Blundell 26* Wagner 0*)

Stone is bowling better than he did yesterday and bending his back, but there’s little-to-no movement. There’s no cloud cover, the pitch is sunbathing and Blundell plays out the first four balls with ease before Mitchell threw his wicket away. In comes Wagner at eight - he was No.11 last week and played the shots of a top-order batsmen. Pushed up the order this Test his first ball loops just short of mid-wicket.

12:54 PM

Wicket!! Mitchell c Crawley b Stone 6

Mitchell loves the short ball he takes Stone on but only succeeds in pull it straight down the throat of Crawley at shortish mid-wicket.

FOW 335/6

12:50 PM

OVER 104: NZ 330/5 (Blundell 25* Mitchell 6*)

Oh, Jimmy, Jimmy…(you know the rest…) Anderson takes the second over after lunch. If anyone can get this ball to swing, it’s him. Nothing is happening off the pitch, Mitchell is getting in behind the ball well and is untroubled by that over, getting two off the last ball.

12:45 PM

OVER 103: NZ 328/5 (Blundell 25* Mitchell 4*)

The sun is still out and it remains a good pitch to bat on. Stone returns, can he make the ball ‘talk’ (as they sometimes tend to say)? Blundell is on strike and he gets an easy single with a back-foot push to leg side. Mitchell then does exactly the same and those are the only two runs off the first over following the break.

12:42 PM

The players are back out on the field

And the afternoon session is under way.

12:37 PM

England bowlers, please read

12:09 PM

LUNCH: New Zealand 326/5 (Blundell 24* Mitchell 3*) lead by 23

New Zealand put on 97 runs for two wickets in 25.3 overs. Those who care about over rates will not be pleased with the rate of 12.2. The run rate was 3.80.

It is a sunny day in Birmingham, the 18,000 in the crowd are having a whale of a time. It looks a really good day for a bat. The pitch is hard and true, there has been only minimal swing movement. Not seen anything move off the seam really. Broad unlucky again. Wood has been rapid. He and Stone had a wicket each. Taylor went out for 80 and will feel that he has left a ton out there.

But either way, New Zealand find themselves in a great position to take this game away from England here. I will hand you over to Greg Wilcox for the rest of the day. Cheers!

12:05 PM

OVER 102: NZ 326/5 (Blundell 24* Mitchell 3*)

Wood, then, to see if he can winkle another one out before the interval. Blundell clips the ball of his legs for a couple. Mitchell knocks it behind point for two. Not a lot else to say about it in all honesty. Quick, honest stuff from Wood on a true, batting pitch. That's lunch.

12:00 PM

OVER 101: NZ 321/5 (Blundell 21* Mitchell 1*)

Root brings himself on, not sure if that is a tactical decision based on taking a wicket or if he is just trying to squeeze in another over before lunch. Either way, he has managed to do that. No other distinguishing remarks about this over, one run.

11:58 AM

OVER 100: NZ 320/5 (Blundell 20* Mitchell 1*)

Mitchell has got a very curious trigger, he kind of shuffles down the crease at the bowler, not sure I'd do that against 90mph Mark Wood but hey rather him than me. This over is proper rapid but the Kiwi pair do fine.

11:56 AM

OVER 99: NZ 319/5 (Blundell 19* Mitchell 1*)

Stone's putting in a good effort but there tends to be a bad ball every over - this time it's a short and wide long hop that Blundell can help himself to.

11:46 AM

OVER 98: NZ 313/5 (Blundell 14* Mitchell 1*)

New Zealand haven't really looked in any trouble all day but have managed to lose two wickets slightly sloppily - Taylor driving like a millionaire straight after drinks and now Nicholls, who had got himself in, gloving an ordinary ball down the legside. This is clearly the day to bat and their management would surely want them to be out there piling on the runs for all of Saturday.

Still, that perhaps detracts from the shift that Mark Wood is putting in, he's really bending his back.

11:42 AM

WICKET! Nicholls c Bracey b Wood 21

Mark Wood with a bouncer, Nicholls tries to pull it but is through the shot too early, if you can believe it.. it smashes into the side of his helmet. There's a delay while they check he's okay, which he is. But maybe not as okay as all that - he gloves the very next ball down the legside, Bracey makes no mistake, and England have a wicket somewhat against the run of play. FOW 312/5

11:40 AM

OVER 97: NZ 312/4 (Nicholls 21* Blundell 14*)

Brisk over from Stone, marred by a half volley off the last ball of it that Blundell slots through mid off without fuss. Another four. New Zealand going along nicely.

11:36 AM

OVER 96: NZ 307/4 (Nicholls 20* Blundell 10*)

Blundell carts Wood through point, picking himself up four runs - and sending New Zealand past England's total.

11:34 AM

Bracey yourselves

11:31 AM

Ian Bell

is doing a bit of hospitality work for Warwickshire at the Test match, says Ian Ward.

11:30 AM

OVER 95: NZ 302/4 (Nicholls 19* Blundell 6*)

Blundell starting to settle. He and Nicholls play this Stone over okay. There are three off the over, taking New Zealand to within a run of England's total. If they play their cards right they are on for a serious lead here.

11:27 AM

OVER 94: NZ 299/4 (Nicholls 17* Blundell 6*)

This feels like a Test in Australia more than England. Wood bowling at 90mph, the ball is carrying fast and true, the sun is beating down, the crowd is noisy. There's not a massive amount of swing that I can see.

One difference is the wobble of the Duke ball after it passes the bat. Bracey is having a time of it.

Blundell guides the ball behind square for a nicely played four.

11:21 AM

OVER 93: NZ 295/4 (Nicholls 17* Blundell 2*)

Very strange start to the innings from Blundell. He is doggedly blocking balls a foot outside the off stump, and now he has stood in front of his stumps and offered no shot to a ball on middle stump. Well, it's a method. He is clanged on the pads, but saved on height.

Stone looking quite threatening.

11:17 AM

OVER 92: NZ 294/4 (Nicholls 17* Blundell 1*)

Good wheels from Wood in this over.

11:15 AM

OVER 91: NZ 292/4 (Nicholls 16* Blundell 0*)

The curio of players getting out in the 80s in this match continues, Taylor had been aggressive all morning but maybe got a bit carried away. Dunno really. It was a quick-ish ball, it didn't appear to do a massive amount.

That made Taylor the fifth guy out (or stranded in Lawrence's case) in the 'nervous' 80s this Test...

I was just saying that Bracey needed that, good for his confidence etc etc. But no sooner than his stock was rising, he has dropped another one! Tom Blundell sets up in an unusual way, he takes an off stump guard, and a ball that is on perhaps the seventh stump line, he elects to defend at. Why? Surely the point of standing that far across is that you can leave the ones to your right... Anyway, he prods at it, edges, Bracey goes across to first slip and drops the chance.

11:09 AM

WICKET! Taylor c Bracey b Stone 80

That's it! The change of bowling has done the trick, Stone's third ball is full and juicy outside the off-stump. Taylor goes big at it, gets the edge and Bracey has snaffled the chance. Stone is delighted, and Bracey even more so. He needed that catch. FOW 292/4

11:03 AM

OVER 90: NZ 292/3 (Taylor 80* Nicholls 16*)

New Zealand's to-do list this morning would have been

1) don't get out to part-timer Lawrence

2) see off Stuart Broad opening spell

3) see off Jimmy Anderson opening spell.

They've now accomplished the first two of those. Broad is given a rest, and on comes Mark Wood.

Wood is addressed by the umpire for running straight down the middle of the pitch. Not sure how sensible that even is, given that England will bat last and New Zealand have a spinner.

Nicholls guides the ball through third man for a nice little four, and we are going to have drinks.

New Zealand will enjoy theirs, they have had an excellent first hour of the day.

Looks like O Stone will take the ball after the break..

10:57 AM

OVER 89: NZ 286/3 (Taylor 79* Nicholls 11*)

Anderson, searching, overpitches a couple of times in this over and Taylor drives him for three and four through mid off.

10:51 AM

OVER 88: NZ 278/3 (Taylor 72* Nicholls 10*)

Broad with some good pace, wobbles a bit after pitching, Bracey has clanged that and it's gone for four byes. This has NOT been one of the most auspicious starts to an England career so far... He's had two ducks and his glovework has not been much to write home about either.

10:47 AM

OVER 87: NZ 271/3 (Taylor 70* Nicholls 9*)

Anderson continues. Nicholls is playing him well. Leaving on length, solid and positive in his defence.

England's 303 well in New Zealand's crosshairs now....

10:44 AM

OVER 86: NZ 270/3 (Taylor 69* Nicholls 9*)

Broad sweating and puffing now. And now we can add steaming and fuming as well. Good bouncer, Ross Taylor went at that hard, he got the top edge, and the man running in from deep backward square has come forward, dived, and bungled it. Dropped! Sub fielder Sam Billings is the guilty party.

Broad releases some of his aggression with a bouncer next ball as well, and that goes for four byes. A leg before appeal next ball, Broad (obviously) wants to review it, but Root isn't having it and seems to think it pitched outside leg, which it did.

Might give Stuart a wide berth for a bit, if I was his teammates.

Stuart Broad appeals - Getty
Stuart Broad appeals - Getty

10:37 AM

OVER 85: NZ 263/3 (Taylor 67* Nicholls 8*)

Taylor drills the ball back at Anderson, who stops it with his boot and, it seems, has hacked a lump out of the ball with his studs in his process. He and Broad looking at it, concerned, like a couple of consultant surgeons. According to Ebony RB MBE that's on the shiny side of the ball, I will say that she must have very good eyesight or a really nice telly. I'm sure she's right, judging from the concern. England need to look after the ball on a day like this.

10:34 AM

OVER 84: NZ 262/3 (Taylor 66* Nicholls 8*)

Maiden from Stuart B, going through his repertoire but Nicholls looking pretty solid.

10:30 AM

OVER 83: NZ 262/3 (Taylor 66* Nicholls 8*)

Taylor's gone for that one! That's whistled past Rory Burns in the gully, Burns with a decent dive but that was wide of him and seriously travelling.

Four more from Taylor with a similar shot the next ball but that was more controlled, more of a square drive than a slash. Jimmy's bowling quite quick, 85mph but Taylor is looking like he is enjoying himself.

Hint of a suggestion of swing for Jimmy, away from Taylor, off the last ball of the over but it's gentle swing at best.

10:29 AM

OVER 82: NZ 254/3 (Taylor 58* Nicholls 8*)

Four runs come off this over from Stuart Broad.

10:22 AM

OVER 81: NZ 250/3 (Taylor 57* Nicholls 5*)

James Anderson. Nicholls leaves a ball on length that comes back in a fraction and can't have been far from the top of off. This pitch looks like it might have quickened up a bit overnight? Some bounce for Jimmy here. Looks a very nice deck for a bat and the Kiwis will have ambitions of using all day doing just that. Some swing for James to the RHB Taylor. One leg bye in the over.

10:18 AM

James Anderson

will take the no ball.

10:18 AM

OVER 80: NZ 249/3 (Taylor 57* Nicholls 5*)

Shot of the morning as Taylor plays a lovely cover drive from Broad for four. Good signs for Taylor later in the over as well, when he used the feet nicely to drive to mid on, always a sign that a guy is coming into his best form, albeit that the shot is cut off on this occasion.

There was an appeal for lb earlier in the over from Broad on Taylor but that was going down leg. And a spicy bouncer to finish that hits Ross on the chest and flicks up to hit his grille.

10:16 AM

More from Nick Hoult on the Tweet situ

"There is a lot of sensitivity within the England team about this issue. They were embarrassed by Robinson’s tweets, which were made public hours after the players lined up for a momentum of unity at Lord’s wearing black t-shirts emblazoned with anti-discriminatory messages.

They repeated the stand before the second Test started on Thursday, receiving a warm round of applause from the crowd at Edgbaston. They understand why Robinson has been suspended but harsh punishment threatens to drive a wedge between the board and the England team, who have said publicly he needs support. The team worry the ECB will come down hard on players to protect its image."

10:14 AM

OVER 79: NZ 245/3 (Taylor 53* Nicholls 5*)

The NZ batsmen will be enjoying this gentle start - Root gives Lawrence another over. To be fair, there's some turn there for Lawrence and that's gone past Taylor and away for four... leg byes? Four leg byes. Initial thought was that Ross had got something on that. Root brings a posthumous leg slip in. Ross Taylor sweeps the next ball hard, and it goes for four through the now vacant spot whose guardian had been moved to leg gully. Ah, captain.

Taylor has brought up his fifty with that sweep.

10:09 AM

Fancy dress day at Edgbaston

Fancy dress day - PA

10:08 AM

OVER 78: NZ 234/3 (Taylor 47* Nicholls 4*)

Broad, who has a fine record against left-handers of late, is going to get an early look at Nicholls. But not for long: he overpitches first ball, Nicholls clips that away for three. Root looks eggy now when England allow Ross Taylor, who is no whippet at his age, an easy single. The throw hits the stumps which is pretty but not really helpful - there shouldn't be one run to point...

10:03 AM

OVER 77: NZ 230/3 (Taylor 46* Nicholls 1*)

Easy easy to get off the mark for Henry Nicholls, the second ball is a full toss and the new batsman donks that away for one to the legside. I think Lawrence, and his bizarre bowling action, will get a rest for a while now.

10:00 AM

Dan Lawrence will

complete the over he was bowling last night.

NZ overnight 229/3 off 76.3 ov (Taylor 46*) trail by 74

The sun is out, there are 18,000 in the ground, it's a sunny noisy Saturday at Edgbaston and Bog is in his heaven.

09:58 AM

The players are out

The crowd are in excellent voice. I would strongly suggest that some of them have made a quick start themselves...

09:57 AM

Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE

With a classic sportsperson's take: "When I got the email I thought it was a joke!" She has been awarded an MBE for her services to cricket and charity, and rightly so. What a tremendous person.

09:55 AM

Formal review into historic tweets

Nick Hoult writes

The England & Wales Cricket Board has announced a formal review into historic tweets by cricketers and coaches but has given no indication of punishment for Ollie Robinson, who remains suspended from international cricket.

A statement was finally released by the ECB today three days after its board met on Wednesday to discuss the issue that has divided opinion across the country.

Robinson was suspended from all international cricket pending the result of an investigation but has found support from the prime minister and culture secretary as well as many cricket fans across the country.

He is suspended and pulled out of playing for Sussex this week, more than a week on from the unearthing of sexist and racist tweets he posted as a teenager.

In a difficult week for England that completely overshadowed preparations for the second Test against New Zealand, James Anderson admitted his regret at sending a homosphobic jibe in a tweet to Stuart Broad while Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and another unnamed England player were accused of posting discriminatory messages on social media. The unnamed player’s tweets were from when he was a 15 year old. Lancashire announced an investigation on Friday after five of its players were found to have posted offensive tweets in the past

The ECB statement said nothing about Robinson revealed little other than to announce a review to “address any historical issues, remind individuals of their personal responsibilities going forward, and help them learn lessons along the way.”

The statement said the review “would not prevent further disciplinary action in the future” ruling out an amnesty.

The ECB will work with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and “identify external expertise” to help with the process.

09:54 AM

I regret to inform you

that we have news about cricketers and their tweets.

09:33 AM

Day three

Good morning, welcome to our live blog coverage of day three of the second Test. New Zealand resume on 229/3, that's 74 runs behind England. The not out man is Ross Taylor, who is on 46*, Will Young was out to the last ball of the day yesterday, bowled by Dan Lawrence of all people. That was a welcome and let's be fair unexpected bonus, because the Kiwis had got themselves into a strong position. They're still looking in good order: the new ball is due in three and a bit overs, and England will need to make good use of that, or New Zealand are going to post a serious lead.

Henry Nicholls, you presume, will be the next man in, then it's the keeper Blundell and the all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and then the bowlers. Veteran Ross Taylor will look to guide some or all of them to a lead, and we'll have all the action from that when play starts at 11am.

One event of note yesterday was a row over a claimed catch.

Bowling coach Jon Lewis admitted England were less than impressed by the decision to rule out an early New Zealand wicket as the Black Caps kept chances to a premium on day two of the second Test at Edgbaston.

The tourists would have been 32 for two in the 10th over had the on-field umpires given Devon Conway out when he edged Stuart Broad to third slip.

But there was enough uncertainty over Zak Crawley's low take to call for third umpire Michael Gough to review the replays.

As soon as Richard Kettleborough gave a 'soft signal' in the batsman's favour it was always likely to end in a reprieve, though the balance of doubt probably leaned in Broad's favour.

Broad was visibly fuming, and made his position clear, but New Zealand were free to put on another 105 runs before Conway fell to the same combination for 80. A Joe Root drop from the bat of Will Young, would later cost England another 75 runs.

New Zealand lost only one further wicket before stumps, Young becoming part-time spinner Dan Lawrence's first Test scalp in the final over, to close just 74 behind on 229 for three.

Lewis was sent out to speak for the team, with Broad perhaps wary of saying something that would invite further attention from father Chris, who is the ICC match referee.

"You could see from the reaction on the field they were clearly frustrated by that," he said of the decision.

"It's sport and it divides opinion. New Zealand will be happy, we will be frustrated. But the question really is, is the soft signal required? Should there be one, or could the guy off the field make the decision?

"You have to ask the question, is it necessary? Should you make life as easy as possible for the officials?"

Conway, who has taken to Test cricket like a natural after backing up a debut double century at Lord's last week, was more than happy to lean on the existing protocols.

"It was a tricky period when that happened...I nicked it and looked back because I wasn't 100 per cent sure if it did carry," he said of the incident.

"I stood there to wait and see if the umpire was going to give me out and fortunately the ruling went my way. I'm pretty grateful it perhaps bounced in front of the fielder and I'm pretty happy I got another chance.

"We've got technology to prove whether guys catch it or if it dropped short, why not use the technology if we have it?"

Broad's annoyance at being denied was the only minor blemish on a day where he was comfortably the pick of the bowlers and also managed to nip past West Indian great Courtney Walsh to stand alone as the sixth highest wicket-taker in Test history.

He nipped out Tom Latham and Conway, eventually, to move to 520 career scalps and might have deserved more than figures of two for 22 from 15 classy overs.

"He was outstanding, he bowled fantastically well, really put in a shift for the whole time and showed the way for the other guys."

Lawrence had started the day by finishing 81 not out, prevented from making a first century but later stepping up to take a maiden Test wicket instead.

"It was a real bonus wicket," Lewis added.

"It will make our lives a little bit easier and gives us someone fresh to bowl at."