England v New Zealand Test Series 2026

[Arthur Crabtree]

Honest Joe passes 14000 Test runs. SRT on 15921.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Duckett goes and his Test career continues to nosedive. Can they hold out until tomorrow?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Brook going at more than a run a ball but perishes on the cusp of a 100 partnership. Nicked off rather than caught at cow corner.

[Durhamfootman]

3 consecutive failures?

it's almost as if he needed some practice before walking into the team

oops.... 4 consecutive failures

practice.... what practice?

Practice is for softies

maybe, when walking towards the danger, practice is akin to cheating

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can they hold out until tomorrow?

Looks like it. So that's a positive.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rew goes to Jamieson.

Presume it's a 18.30 finish. But Cox not wanting a nightwatcher

[alfie]

Can thank Root for the match going into day five. Rest of the batting ...

Duckett was barbecued by his partner in the first innings ; but this time he tried to play against his nature , pretty unhappily , and got out softly. Yet to show that dreadful Ashes tour wasn't the start of a decline. Perhaps he is missing Crawley ...

Brook bothers me with all these good starts and not going on. Teams have figured out he really doesn't like the keeper standing up - though of course they have to have a very good keeper and disciplined bowlers to take advantage. NZ have both.

That number three spot remains a problem. Bethell really isn't a three at this stage - and wouldn't be even if he had the advisable red ball lead in (which Cook pointed out should have been required , against KP's contrary opinion.) But who else ? Bring back Pope ?

At least the bowlers bounced back after a rough day on Friday. Archer a commendable improvement in coming back well despite a lot of work earlier - something he has not often managed. Tongue was good and very unlucky and even Fisher did a job on the tail , though aided by NZ's impatience to set the target. I am less worried about the bowling though the spinner situation remains pretty vague.

Last to lunch at least ? Maybe. Would be nice for Root to get another century , and Cox gets another chance to show something with the bat.

Expecting several changes next week. I see a chap called Stokes got 95 in the CC and some Atkinson fellow took 4 wickets : might be worth a try ?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Good stuff Alfie, as ever.

[Durhamfootman]

At least the bowlers bounced back after a rough day on Friday. Archer a commendable improvement in coming back well despite a lot of work earlier - something he has not often managed.
Expecting several changes next week. I see a chap called Stokes got 95 in the CC and some Atkinson fellow took 4 wickets : might be worth a try ?

On Archer, England probably lost the game on that morning when NZ thumped an extra 100 runs in double quick time, with Archer not yet fit to bowl (something about a red zone? ), so that he came back well, is probably irrelevent. He wasn't fit enough to bowl in a 4 man attack at a point in the match where England might have restricted the damage

That will change for the final test, because Stokes will be back, will be captain, Archer will be part of a 5 man attack, which is probably his only worthwhile role given the paucity of red ball matches he plays and the lack of overs he bowls as a result

Stokes batted beautifully yesterday. I was really encouraged sitting watching him in the sunshine on a beautiful day. The last few times he has returned home to play for Durham, he's tended to scratch around trying to find some rhythm. He got a half century a couple of seasons ago, but it was an obdurate affair. No timing, just a lot of grit. Yesterday he got into his stride early and scored his runs in free flowing fashion. He scored his 95 in less than a session, but it was just good footwork and timing, rather than brutal aggression. He was devastated to get out straight after the interval, but he can be very pleased with his afternoon's work. He will probably get pulled from the game by England before the end of this match, so I imagine he won't get another chance to bat and he'll probably be happy to take that form into Thursday, rather than risk losing it with a disappointing second knock.

[andy]

Root goes for 77 LBW to Henry and there goes the test match

[andy]

Archer goes 2 balls later

[sussexpob]

Be at the golf course by 2pm

[andy]

Archers one did keep ridiculously low, Cox puts Jamieson through cover point beautiful shot

[andy]

Fisher chops on and Henry has another! 8 down nearly all over

[andy]

Tongue goes first ball! Henry has 5 and 10 for the match!