Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham

  1. wicket

    WICKET

    Stokes b Foulkes 15 (Eng 290-6)

    The England captain is bowled taking on the drive to one which nips back sharply and hits the top of middle and off.

  2. Get Involved

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    I really can't see why Smith is being selected at this point. His batting is average and his keeping is even worse.

    Clive, Staplehurst

    As much as I like Jamie Smith, it feels like he's been out of form for a while. Would love to see Foakes get another chance. Really feels like we're sleeping on his batting and keeping skills.

    Oscar, Nottingham

    Why do we ignore the record of Ben Foakes and continue with iron-gloved keepers? Bairstow, Smith and Rew have all fluffed important dismissals costing the side dearly. The wicketkeeper is a vital part of the bowling attack, and should be selected for his keeping. Any batting contribution is a bonus.

    John, Frome

    Aside from any consideration of Ben Foakes' merits as an international cricketer, he's not played since April because he injured himself bowling for Surrey.

    So then you turn to James Rew, Jordan Cox, Ollie Pope... all of whom have come under considerable, shall we say, "scrutiny" from this inbox.

  3. Eng 288-5

    Harry Brook and Ben Stokes content to milk around the rest of Ben Sears' over.

  4. How's stat?!

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    England batting this morning:

    • First 7 overs - 12 runs, 3 wickets, 1.71 run rate
    • Next 7 overs - 45 runs, 0 wickets, 6.42 run rate

  5. Eng 285-5

    The umpires inspect the hole in the outfield which is causing issues for Ben Sears on his run-up, with Ben Stokes offering his tuppence worth.

    Perhaps the disruption is affecting the England captain's concentration?

  6. Jeremy Coney
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

    There is more cheering for this passage of play when a person is fixing the ground than the actual game.

  7. Eng 281-5

    He does a bit, Chris.

    The fictional town where Fireman Sam is from is 'PontyPandy' of course which is a portmanteau of Pontypridd and Tonypandy.

    Meanwhile, there's a brief delay while a member of the groundstaff has come on to resolve a hole in the outfield on the bowler's run-up which has seemingly caused a few issues for Ben Sears.

  8. Get Involved

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    Does anybody else think that Naughty Norman Price looks a bit like Daniel Vettori?

    Chris, Pontypridd

    I guarantee there will be at least one Fireman Sam in the crowd tomorrow.

    Dave, Luton

    You should see Sam Tan (Welsh version) bowl, he really puts some heat on it...

    Craig, Anglesey

  9. Eng 280-5

    Zak Foulkes slips on to the hips of Harry Brook and the England vice-captain efficiently helps it on its way to down to fine leg for four.

    England have settled down a little following that clump of wickets.

  10. Jeremy Coney
    Former New Zealand captain on BBC Test Match Special

    With the way today is going, it is important New Zealand do not let England get away here.

  11. Eng 272-5

    Ben Stokes, collared turned up, backs away as Ben Sears prepares to deliver his third delivery after the drinks break.

    Stokes offers a quick word of apology.

    The England skipper drives aesthetically through the covers but it's cut off allowing just the single.

  12. How's stat?!

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    New Zealand bowling over the wicket in this match:

    • Day two - 49 balls, 29 runs, 0 wickets
    • Day three - 49 balls, 20 runs, 3 wickets, 6.66 average

  13. England 268-5 at drinks

    Drinks.

    Grab yourself a quick brew and pop on the Fireman Sam cricket episode.

  14. Get Involved

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    Terrible technique from Fireman Sam there.

    Dave, Aberystwyth

    Get him in the team, quick!

    Mark, West Sussex

  16. Eng 267-5

    Fireman Sam playing cricket

    It's only midday, we've had an hour of play on day three, and I genuinely don't think we'll eclipse this moment in the live text.

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    I’d love to see Ben Foakes back in the team, classy batter and world class keeper

    Ralph, Evans

  18. Eng 261-5

    Meanwhile, Ben Stokes has just offered a chance off the bowling of Nathan Smith driving on the up.

    It's whistled past the diving Devon Conway at gully and raced away for four.

    Conway nearly got a hand to it.

  19. Eng 252-5

    Huge breaking news regarding a Fireman Sam cricket episode.

    We've found one...

    Details to follow.

  20. How's stat?!

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    In this series, Joe Root has been troubled by seamers when facing deliveries projected to hit the stumps. He has been dismissed four times, averaging just 2.5 against such deliveries.

    In England, the last time Root was dismissed four or more times by deliveries projected to hit the stumps in a series was against Australia in 2019. He was dismissed five times and averaged 4.6 in that series.