Summary

  • Root drops Mitchell (3) and Blundell (47); Blundell also edges through slips on 63

  • Nicholls, dropped on 17 by Crawley, caught behind off Stokes for 30

  • Anderson then has Conway caught behind for 46

  • New Zealand put on 84 for first wicket before openers fall in quick succession

  • England won toss; NZ captain Williamson out because of Covid-19

  • England lead 1-0 in the series

Live Reporting

Callum Matthews, Ffion Wynne, Timothy Abraham and Kal Sajad

  1. Isa Guha
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    You just wonder if Joe Root had snaffled that catch to dismiss Daryl Mitchell what the situation of the game would be now.

  2. NZ 256-4

    Well, it looks like England are going to try something different.

    The field is set for some short-pitched bowling, Stuart Broad to attempt to deliver it.

    Daryl Mitchell pulls it out to the boundary for a single to begin with.

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    Andy C: We are definitely missing a bowler who can bowl those 90mph + deliveries when the game gets flat like it is now. Archer, Wood, Stone etc would be perfect to bowl now.

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

    There's an element of milking the runs to Jack Leach. Whether Ben Stokes is happy enough for that to occur because the run-rate is around four an over. He might think in the context of things that Leach is doing his job here.

  5. NZ 255-4

    Tom BlundellGetty Images

    It feels like I've spent about 90% of the past week watching Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell bat.

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

    It's interesting because it was hitting him mid-shin but because he came down the pitch it's going over the stumps.

  7. Not out

    Oooooh! Umpire's call, just clipping the bails.

    Tough.

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

    This could be very close...

  9. There's no bat ...

  10. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Rod Tucker always sounds so relaxed. It's straightened a little.

  11. England review

    England think they have Blundell lbw.

    It's straight, but he skipped a long way down the pitch, which might just save him.

  12. NZ 251-4

    Four more down to third man, deliberately guided by Blundell this time.

    And that brings up New Zealand's 250. Hard to see where the next wicket is coming from.

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    TrioGetty Images

    We've put them in on an absolute road haven't we?

    Tattz in Harborne

  14. NZ 246-4

    Jack Leach finds a bit of turn to beat the bat of Mitchell which draws some typical 'ooohs' from the England fielders.

    That's the most exciting thing that's happened in a few overs, to be honest.

  15. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    He played that with very soft hands and withdrew the bat at the last minute so it didn't carry. It was very well played in the end.

  16. NZ 245-4

    Broad manages to find the edge but it drops in front of Stokes at slip as Blundell plays it so late.

    It races away for four, just to make matters worse.

  17. NZ 240-4

    The crowd bursts into life when they realise that Stuart Broad is back into the attack, bandana and all.

    And he treats them to a leg stump half-volley that Blundell clips for two easy runs.

  18. Here's the moment of the day so far for me.

    Matthew Potts' reaction the best part of it.

  19. NZ 238-4

    Another effortless reverse sweep from Mitchell finds the boundary. Jack Leach just has not looked like causing any hint of a threat.

    Just the 18 overs until the new ball.

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

    A lovely stroke from Tom Blundell in that over. He has mainly defended and been a supportive role for Mitchell, who has been more the aggressor.