NZ beat ENG by an innings and 49 runs | England vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match - Commentary

The session has been closed earlier than usual. We have the tea break now, post which, the Kiwi opening batters will make their way out to the middle. Can England do anything close to what their New Zealand counterparts did? Join us shortly to find out.

Both of them didn't have much alarming movements. The likes of Alastair Cook, Dawid Malan and Mark Stoneman fell prey for being tentative with their footwork. Joe Root and Chris Woakes got deliveries of top class, while Jonny Bairstow perished to a combination of a loose drive and a Southee brilliance. Boult's 6-wicket haul meant that England are well on the back foot, a session (curtailed one) into the series.

Wow! What a start to this Test series! When a side's scorecard shows that it is bowled out for 58, there is hardly to write much about that team's batting. Clueless? Careless? Unfortunate? That's for you to choose. New Zealand's new-ball pair of Trent Boult and Tim Southee set about with their task in right earnest. Their lines and lengths were impeccable and the visitors were left gasping.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. OUT! Thanks for coming! Trent Boult picks up a 6-fer, to rightly, end the tourists' innings. Short in length outside off, Anderson has his weight on the back foot and looks to guide it over point. Fails to get the elevation and he ends up playing it towards the man there. Nicholls has to just leap a bit and grab that. 58 ALL OUT, ENGLAND!

Trent Boult to James Anderson. This is around off, defended from the crease.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. Edged! Anderson plays with soft hands and gets it off the outside edge towards the slip cordon.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. On a length outside off, Anderson feels for it but gets beaten.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. The batsman does well to leave that bouncer.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. This one is guided through point. Wagner chases it down and manages to cut it off just before the ropes. But his momentum is taking him away beyond the ropes. He manages to release the ball before going beyond. A couple results.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. Short again, Craig misses his attempted pull.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. FOUR! Nice. Short in length, pulled away through backward square leg for a boundary. Overton is having fun.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. This delivery is blocked off the back foot to the off side.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. On a length outside off, Overton mistimes his punch off the back foot.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. Full and going down leg, Anderson misses the flick. The ball goes off the pads towards the keeper.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. This one is defended off the back foot.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Now Craig rotates strike by playing it towards mid-wicket.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. SIX! KABOOM! Short in length, Overton gives it his all and banishes it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Overton blocks this one off the front foot.

Trent Boult to James Anderson. That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad. The batsmen have run through for a single. The umpire signals leg bye.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. FOUR! Full on the stumps, Overton clears his front leg and smashes it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Neil Wagner is seen warming up. Would you be changing your bowler at this stage?

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. Full outside off, Overton looks to play the drive away from the body but misses.

Tim Southee to Craig Overton. Full on off, driven back towards the bowler. It hits Southee on the stomach. Overton shows a thumbs up in response, checking if his opponent is alright.

Tim Southee to James Anderson. Full on middle and leg, clipped away through mid-wicket for one.

Tim Southee to James Anderson. This is very wide outside off on a fuller length, Jimmy lets it be.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. FOUR! Authoritative! Back of a length delivery on the stumps, Overton transfers his weight on the back foot and thrashes this through mid-wicket for a boundary. 12 runs off this one, easily the most expensive over in the innings.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Full and straight on middle and leg, flicked away towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Hurled outside off, pushed through the point region for another couple.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Overton drives this one through covers for a couple.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. EDGED AND FOUR! Length ball slanting away from Overton. He slashes hard at it. The ball takes the thick outside edge and flies past the slip cordon for a boundary.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad.

Tim Southee to James Anderson. This ball is defended from the crease. Another wicket-maiden, consecutive ones for Southee this time.

Tim Southee to James Anderson. Full outside off, Anderson has a slash at that but misses.

James Anderson is the last man in. How long can he delay the inevitable?

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. OUT! SCREAMER! Kane Williamson, you bird-ly human! Southee bowls this full again, Broad has his feet glued inside the crease. In the second delivery of the over, he got it off the outer half towards gully, but safely. Here, he has to walk back. He looks to drive from the crease and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies towards gully, almost past the fielder there. But Williamson FLIES full stretch and plucks it with his left hand. It wasn't a bird but it was Kane, concludes my colleague, Wayne! He is on the ground for a while and we were made to think that he fluffed the chance. But no! Broad's perplexed-cum-surprised look shows the magnanimous of that catch. The end is nigh for the tourists now.

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. This one angles away from Stuart. He looks to push at that and gets beaten again.

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. Full again, Broad is hanging on the back foot and gets it off the outer half towards gully.

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. Full on off, driven off the inner half back towards the bowler.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Again beaten! Length ball moving away, Overton fishes at it but gets beaten on the outside. Finally an over passes without a wicket falling in it. Consolation for England?

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. FOUR! A boundary! That could be the cheering part for England as this is just the third one. This is full and outside off, Overton square drives this and accumulates some runs.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Banged short on the stumps, ducked under by Craig.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. This ball is hit to the man at covers.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Trent Boult to Craig Overton. Angling away on a length, Overton has a feel for that but misses.

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. This one is defended off the back foot. A wicket-maiden for Southee now. You can well find the usage of this term in this innings so far.

Tim Southee to Stuart Broad. Lovely! Almost another one. Full delivery moving away from Broad. He has a feel for that but misses.

Stuart Broad makes his way to the middle at no. 10.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali. OUT! Familiar sight yet again! Ali had a torrid time in the Ashes and here again, he hasn't begun well. Southee spears this full on off. Had Ali made contact with that, he could have taken it on the full. Misses the ball completely as his bat was moving towards off while the ball curls back in to disturb the woodwork. Fourth clean bowled in this England innings. Will they get to a quarter of a century, wonders our scoring colleague here.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali. Full outside off, left alone by Moeen.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali. Hurled on the stumps, turned away to mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali. On a length angling away, Ali fends at it but misses.

Craig Overton is the next man in.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. OUT! FIVE-FER FOR TRENT BOULT, his 6th in Tests! This is bowled full around off, it swings in viciously. Woakes is a good enough batsman, we know. But this delivery is too good even for him. He looks to push it down the ground but fails to counter the inward movement. Misses and his stumps are shattered, along with England's hopes. One way traffic at the Eden Park as only bowlers seem to be present here.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. On a length and moving in a touch, Woakes fails to get any bat to that and wears it high on the thigh pad.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. Full and outside off, Chris lets it go through to the keeper.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. First runs off Boult's bowling after consecutive wicket-maidens. This is flicked away through wide mid on for a couple.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. Another one well outside off, Woakes lets it be.

Trent Boult to Chris Woakes. This is too wide for Woakes to make any contact with that.

Tim Southee to Moeen Ali. On a length on the stumps, defended from the crease.

Tim Southee to Chris Woakes. Worked away towards fine leg for a single.

Tim Southee to Chris Woakes. Full outside off, driven nicely through covers for a couple to get going. For his side though, only this 'gets going' wouldn't be sufficient.

Tim Southee to Chris Woakes. Full on middle and leg, flicked straight to square leg.

Chris Woakes makes his way out to the middle, replacing Bairstow. Wonder if he would have been padded up and ready.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. OUT! Tim Southee, you little beauty! What a catch that is! He pitches this right up to Bairstow, inviting the drive. The Englishman is unable to resist the temptation. Plays that loose drive straight back. Now comes the best part of this scalp. It goes back to Southee, who, in his followthrough, gets low quickly and snaffles it to his left and then tumbles. Caught and bowleds are never easy, more so for a pacer. England's problems mount.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Full on off, driven to the man at mid off.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali. Excellent delivery to end the over. A yorker on off, Ali digs it out well.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali. Easy leave for Moeen this. This is hurled well outside off again.

Trent Boult to Moeen Ali. Well outside off, Ali shoulders arms to it.

Moeen Ali is the next batter in. Among his worst dreams last night would have been this, perhaps. Walking in with his side reeling at 18/5.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. OUT! CASTLED! Boult has his tails up at the Eden Park. He lands it on a length on off. Stokes does the cardinal sin of playing across the line. Misses the ball as he closes his bat face early and the next scene is that of the ball knocking the stumps. England would have pinned their hopes on him and now the big Ben walks back. Ahhh, another look shows how good the delivery was. It started from outside off and moved in sharply, something which Stokes failed to anticipate.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. Fuller this time, pushed off the front foot to the off side.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. On a length on off, defended with a straight bat.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. This delivery is blocked from the crease with a straight bat.

Tim Southee to Jonny Bairstow. Full and down the leg side, Jonny misses the flick.

Jonny Bairstow is the next man in. England would so dearly hope that he carries his ODI form here. They desperately need someone to be in the middle and spend some time, apart from accumulating some runs.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. OUT! England are in a procession here! It is almost a carbon copy of the Malan wicket. This time Southee is the beneficiary. Hurls this around the good length area from over the wicket. Thus, he got the angle that Boult is getting. Now, Mark's feet are stoned to the crease and they refuse to move. He ends up having a tame push at that. What next? The ball takes the outside edge and flies low to Watling's left. He is a pro and takes this one nicely with a dive low to his left. The Kiwis are all over the English like a rash.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Well outside off, Stoneman lets it be.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Shot. Full outside off, driven through covers for a couple.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. A wicket maiden for Boult as Stokes chooses to leave this delivery outside off. The seamer is making the right noises with the ball here.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. On a length on the stumps, defended from the crease.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. This is well outside off, Ben lets it be.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. Lovely again. This is full outside off, Stokes looks to play the drive away from the body. The ball just misses the outside edge.

Trent Boult to Ben Stokes. This is well outside off, Stokes lets it be.

Ben Stokes walks in at no. 5 for England.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan. OUT! Peach! Boult is bowling probing lines and lengths and this wicket is a just reward for the same. He lands this on a length aiming at the off pole. It was around that good length zone. Malan should have come forward to this one but opts to stay back. But the line is such that he HAS to play at it. Does so and only manages a nick. The ball flies nicely to the left of Watling, who takes this with a dive to that side. At this point, it is good to notice the fact that the New Zealand keeper is making his comeback to the side and hence, he diving and taking this is laudable. The Kiwi skipper's decision to bowl first bearing fruits for them.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. FOUR! Short and wide, Malan cuts this past backward point for a boundary. Good intent shown by Stoneman even after a couple of early set-backs.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan. Drags his length back, Malan pulls this front of square for one.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan. Drifting away from Malan who flicks it to square leg for nothing.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan. Around off, Malan gets behind the ball and blocks it.

Tim Southee to Dawid Malan. Full in line of the stumps, Malan taps it in front of him.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. Around off, Stoneman defends it.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. FOUR! Overpitched on leg, Stoneman hits it through mid-wicket to the boundary.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. Stoneman defends this off his back foot.

Trent Boult to Dawid Malan. Off the mark straight away. Boult bowls this on leg, Malan flicks it away and moves to the other end.

Dawid Malan joins Stoneman. Four slips and a gully for him.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. OUT! Talk about the big two and both are back in the hut without creating damage. Boult is on fire as he gets through the defense of the skipper. Length again, just shapes back just enough and Root who looked to work it on the on side gets an inside edge and brushes his thigh pad before shattering the stumps. A rare duck for the skipper and this is his third duck against the Kiwis. Deciding to bat at number three has not worked for him and will now have to watch the rest of the innings from the dressing room. England in trouble.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. Root defends this with a straight bat.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Drags his length back, Stoneman goes for the pull but mistimes it and gives it back to the bowler.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Pitched up, Stoneman plays that into the ground.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Defended off the front foot by Stoneman presenting the full face of the bat.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Banged short on the stumps, Stoneman ducks under it to let it go.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. This is bowled full outside off, Mark lets it be.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. Root defends it from within the crease.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. In line of the stumps this time, Root blocks it.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. Length outside off, Root leaves it alone.

Trent Boult to Joe Root. Welcomes Root by bowling it outside off, Root shoulders arms to it.

Joe Root walks in at number 3.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. OUT! A change of length from Boult and New Zealand get an early breakthrough. Just the start they were looking for and Boult delivers. Cook was looking shaky from the start itself, not quite finding the middle of the willow. This time Boult serves him the perfect length, around off and makes him play at it. It wasn't too full and neither too short. More importantly, it was in the corridor of uncertainty. The ball moves away a bit after pitching and Cook feels at it. He gets a thick outside edge and the ball flies to second slip where Tom Latham gets a simple catch. Cook looks back and then with disbelief takes the long walk back. New Zealand are all pumped up and why not? They know how crucial this wicket can be.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Darts in a yorker, Cook does well to get his bat down in time and block it.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Pitched up, Cook pushes this through covers to retain strike for the next over.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Alastair shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Outside off, Cook doesn't flirt with it.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Pitched up on the pads of Stoneman who flicks it to deep square leg for a run.

Tim Southee to Mark Stoneman. Full on middle and leg, Stoneman plays this to mid-wicket.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Scratchy start for Cook. Southee bowls this around off, Cook gets an inside edge and the ball goes towards fine leg for one.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. Around off, Stoneman watchfully defends it.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Back of a length ball, Cook mistimes his pull. Is lucky enough to get it just over mid on for one.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. In line of the stumps, Cook gets behind the stumps and blocks it.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Serves this outside off again, Cook chooses to leave it alone.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Boult steams in and bowls this outside off, too wide for Cook to play at it.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Full on the pads, Cook looks to flick. Ends up getting an inside edge on the pads. The ball rolls through square leg and a run is possible and taken. Couple from the first two overs for England.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Fuller and outside off, Cook gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. This is defended off the back foot with a straight bat.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Much better from Southee. Lands it on a length just outside off, the ball nips in after pitching. Cook covers his stumps and lets it go. Good judgement.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Over-correction. This is outside off, but well wide. Cook doesn't need to play at those and just lets it be.

Tim Southee to Alastair Cook. Misdirected delivery to begin. This is speared full but down the leg side. Cook fails to tickle it away. Watling behind dives full stretch to his right and gathers that one.

Tim Southee, as expected, will partner Boult with the new ball. Again, three slips and a gully are the fielders at catching position.

Trent Boult to Mark Stoneman. Stoneman covers his stumps and lets this delivery outside off go to the keeper. Good start for both the teams.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. First run of the Test series! Cook gets going. Gets this one on the pads, he nudges it through square leg to open the account.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Hurled outside off again, Cook lets it be.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. A hint of movement this time. It lands on a length and comes to Cook around off and middle. Alastair stays on the back foot and pushes it towards mid on.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. This is on a length around off, Cook punches it off the back foot towards covers.

Trent Boult to Alastair Cook. Boult steams in from over the wicket and lands it full and outside off. Cook shoulders arms and watches it sail to the keeper. Not much movement there.

If England will be something first up, it could be the inclusion of Ben Stokes. The all-rounder adds the much-needed balance to their side, something which was majorly missing in the Ashes. At this point it's worthy to remember that he could miss out on bowling in this match. Their openers Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman make their way out to the middle with the sun shining bright on them. Trent Boult will make the first use of the new pink cherry, with three slips and a gully.

We are a few minutes away from the first ball. The teams are in the middle, lining up for their respective anthems. The tourists' anthem plays first.

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, Joe Root(c), Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow(wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Craig Overton, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

New Zealand (Playing XI): Jeet Raval, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult

PITCH REPORT - Mark Richardson, out there, first has a word about the weather. He confirms that it is bright and sunny, adds that it is warm at the moment. Observing the pitch, he reckons that Kane Williamson's call to bowl first is a punt. The reason being, Richardson sees some grass on the surface but the cover isn't too much to worry the batters. States that the pitch will have more moisture. Reckons that the behaviour of the Pink ball in the evening session will be keenly watched. Adds that he expects it to move then. Ends saying the condition of the ball will be a major factor in this match.

JOE ROOT - Says that they would have batted first anyway and hopes to make use of the daylight conditions with the willow. He confirms that he will bat at no.3 in this game. Reckons them to be lucky to have many options in bowling apart from variety. Asserts that Craig Overton is in the playing XI for them. States that Ben Stokes is getting better and better and he will bat at no.5. He is hopeful of this being a great series.

KANE WILLIAMSON, the Kiwi skipper, states that he wants to make use of the conditions first up. He says that there's been a lot of cricket played by them leading up to this game although with the white ball, so there is sufficient practice for his boys. Adds that they had some practice with the pink ball over the week. Reckons that Ross Taylor is fit and raring to go. Asserts that BJ Watling will bat at 6 and Colin de Grandhomme will slot in at 7.

TOSS - Joe Root calls heads... Tails it is. NEW ZEALAND WILL BOWL FIRST.

Glancing at the sides, both look decently balanced ones. Ross Taylor was in a recovery mode leading up to this Test. It will be interesting to see if he is fit enough to take field. Also, Mitchell Santner's place is up for grabs and maybe Todd Astle will slot in there. For England, Ben Stokes has been struggling with his back. The chorus is that he might play just as a batsman. Is that the case? We'll find out shortly at the toss.

Time to see the Cooks, the Broads, et al in action! Yes, Test cricket. England are in their last leg of their tour of the Oceania continent. The first of the two-match Test series between New Zealand and England is about to commence. Weather permitting, we should have some exciting cricket between two quality sides. This one is a day-night Test, the first in the Kiwis' backyard. Auckland will play host to the same. We extend a warm welcome to you and hope that the rain stays away, letting the action in the middle take centrestage.

Earlier in the innings it was a top class innings from skipper, Kane Williamson, who too scored a ton to set the tone for the Test. Well, England have been made to toil hard and they need a good batting show now. If their first innings is anything to go by, then it wouldn't be wrong to predict that the writing is on the wall for them. Let's see how they respond now...

The umpires have called for drinks. In fact, Kane Williamson doesn't want that. Instead he calls them back. NEW ZEALAND HAVE DECLARED and they LEAD BY 369! What an innings from Henry Nicholls. He has shepherded the tail and has given his side a real chance to win this match. Watling, de Grandhomme, Astle, Southee everyone chipped in and offered good resistance to swell the lead to a good one.

Moeen Ali to Neil Wagner. Wagner has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Tossed up outside off, Henry charges down and hits it towards mid-wicket for just one.

Moeen Ali to Neil Wagner. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Boult was seen all padded up and now rushes back to the dressing room. A declaration on the cards?

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Short ball, Henry pushes this on the off side and will get one.

Moeen Ali to Neil Wagner. On the legs of Wagner who has been hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards square leg as they steal a leg bye.

Moeen Ali to Neil Wagner. Wagner blocks this off his back foot.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Gets down to play the reverse sweep but seems to have missed it. Bairstow appeals but nothing from the umpire.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Fuller and darted on off, drilled through extra cover for a brace.

Joe Root to Neil Wagner. Goes back to a short ball and punches it past cover for a single.

Joe Root to Neil Wagner. SIX! That's gone the distance! Wagner didn't get a chance to bowl but he says he won't miss out with the bat. Gets down to a tossed up ball and launches it over long on for a maximum.

Joe Root to Neil Wagner. Flatter ball outside off, Wagner looks to cut but fails to do so.

Neil Wagner is the next man in.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. OUT! Leading edge and gone! Joe Root brings himself on and picks up a wicket. Floats it up around middle, Southee looks to flick it away but is done in by the flight. Gets a leading edge back towards the bowler who accepts an easy catch. New Zealand's lead read 355 and they still want to bat.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Improvisation from a well-set Henry. Darts this full on middle, Nicholls gets low and reverse sweeps this to the third man region for a boundary.

Moeen Ali to Tim Southee. Driven through mid on by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Moeen Ali to Tim Southee. Tim works it down the leg side.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. NOT OUT! Southee is just in. Ali bowls this full on leg, Nicholls works it towards mid-wicket and quickly moves to the other end. Anderson, the fielder, gets low and quickly gets rid of the ball towards the striker's end. Bairstow takes the bails off quickly and starts to appeal. The umpire takes it upstairs and after a couple of replays, the TV umpire does not have enough evidence of Southee being short of his ground.

A run out appeal is been taken upstairs. Southee is the man in question. Bairstow thinks he has his man, is Southee short of his crease?

Moeen Ali to Tim Southee. Short ball on off, Tim punches it along the turf on the off for one.

Moeen Ali to Tim Southee. Darts this quick on leg, Southee is hit on his pad as he misses his shot.

Spin on from both ends. Moeen Ali comes back into the attack.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Full in line of the stumps, Henry hits it back to the bowler.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls fails to put bat on ball.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. Floated ball on middle and leg, Southee makes room and goes for the big swing. He just manages to get a bottom edge to it.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Tossed up around off, Henry drives this through mid off for a run.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls has punched the ball off the back foot.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Outside off, Henry cuts this past backward point for another boundary.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Short ball, Henry doesn't connect with his pull and gets hit on the body.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Edge and in the gap. Sums up the innings for England. Woakes lands it on a good length, Nicholls goes hard at it. Gets a fat edge to it as the ball goes past the vacant slip region for a boundary.

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Length outside off, Southee pushes this towards mid off and gets one for it.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length ball, Henry pulls this towards deep square leg for one.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Smartly done from Henry. Woakes bowls this slightly full outside off. Nicholls goes down on one knee and paddles this to the fine leg boundary to bring up the 50-run stand between him and Southee.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. Darts this quick on the pads of Southee who misses his flick and gets hit low on the pads.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. Similar line from Root, Southee works it on the leg side.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. Full on leg this time, Southee sweeps it to the short fine leg fielder.

Joe Root to Tim Southee. Flat on leg again, Southee clips this to the square leg fielder.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Darts this quick on leg, Henry helps this towards fine leg for one.

Joe Root to Henry Nicholls. Full outside off, Nicholls goes after it but the ball is too wide to make contact.

Joe Root, the skipper, brings himself on to bowl.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls now drives this towards covers to keep strike for the next over.

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Driven through the covers by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Short ball trick continues for Southee, who tries to pull it but misses.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full and wider, Nicholls shuffles across his crease, reaches for the ball outside off and paddle sweeps this towards fine leg for one more. Henry now moves to 120 which is his highest ever Test score.

Chris Woakes to Tim Southee. Drags his length back, Southee pulls this in front of square for a single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Woakes pitches it up around off, Nicholls drives it through covers and moves to the other end.

Chris Woakes comes back into the attack.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Short again, this time Southee ducks under it.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Bangs this short, Southee tries to pull that one but failed to connect it.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length outside off, Nicholls hangs back and pushes this towards mid off for a run.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Glorious! Elegantly done by Henry. Full ball around off, Nicholls drives this down the ground for a lovely boundary.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Back of a length ball, Southee punches this on the off and picks up a single.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. FOUR! The stands moves to 36 from 47 balls now with this boundary. Short ball on leg, Southee pulls it behind square on the leg side. Overton, the fielder in the deep, makes a full stretched dive but couldn't get to the ball.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Full on middle and leg, Southee clips it through mid-wicket and will come back for the third run.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Short ball, Southee goes for the pull but misses his shot.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Pitched up, Tim flicks this away through mid-wicket for a brace.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Henry slices it past the slip cordon for a run.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! On the pads of Nicholls, who helps it on its way to the fine leg region where there is no fielder. A boundary results.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Length outside off, Nicholls cuts it to point.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Short again, Southee does well to leave that bouncer.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Effort ball, Henry pulls this with force towards mid-wicket but will only get one.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Beautifully done! Broad comes in from round the wicket and angles it into Henry who whips it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. This Kiwi lead now touches 300.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full around off, Nicholls gets his bat down and keeps that out.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Length around off, Nicholls punches this on the off side for one.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Overpitched ball on the stumps, Nicholls drives it back to the bowler.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Shorter in length around off, Southee stays in his crease and pushes it through covers in the gap. The ball doesn't have the legs to go all the way but they come back for the third.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Full on the legs, Southee tries to shuffle and work it away but gets hit on the boots.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Length around off, Tim drives this to mid off.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Short ball on middle, Southee goes for the pull but fails to connect.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length ball around off, Henry gets behind it and sees it off.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length on the stumps, Nicholls blocks it with a straight bat.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. On leg, Henry works it to the square leg fielder.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Southee clips this away towards square leg for one.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Run out chance goes begging! Good work though from Stokes but misses his target. Back of a length ball, Henry plays it with soft hands towards mid on and quickly looks to get to the other end. He takes off and Stokes the fielder there, comes charging in, picks up the ball and underarm throws it at the bowler's end but misses it. Replays show had that hit, Nicholls would have been a goner.

Stuart Broad to bowl from the other end.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. FOUR! SHOT! Overpitched ball, Southee stands tall, holds his pose and hits it uppishly back past the bowler for a boundary.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Back of a length ball, Tim hangs back and plays this to mid off.

James Anderson to Tim Southee. Length around off, swings away from Southee who pokes at it but misses

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Good length wide outside off, Nicholls cuts it past backward point and gives Southee the strike.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Starts by bowling a full delivery outside off, Henry drives this to mid off.

We are back as well. The break got over in no time. So, New Zealand haven't declared. They will continue to bat. The concerned players are out in the middle along with the umpires. James Anderson to kickoff the proceedings. A slip and silly mid off in place. The centurion is on strike...

... Day 4, Session 2 ...

Post that, it's Todd Astle who has kept the English at bay. With the lead already on the verge to cross 300, the declaration seems to be around the corner. Let's wait and see how much will the Kiwis feel is enough before handing the willow to England. Join us in a short while for the second session.

It's Kiwis all the way here in Auckland. Henry Nicholls is the man they need to thank to as his hundred has put them in a commanding position. They are now ahead by a massive 289 runs. The day started with Watling and Henry playing the patient game but soon they started scoring runs at a quick pace. Stuart Broad removed the keeper-batsman but then it was Colin de Grandhomme who stepped in next. He along with the southpaw motored along fluently and stitched another 49-run stand before the former departed.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Fullish on off, Southee keeps it out. TEA, DAY 4!

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Back of a length outside off, punched towards cover.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Shortish outside off, Southee drops his wrists to leave it alone.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Another one on a fuller length on off, Tim drives it in the same region.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Fuller on off, driven towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Bangs in a short one, Southee ducks.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Henry Nicholls, you can celebrate now! Gets to his ton and has the crowd right behind him. Takes his helmet off and sinks in all the applause that is on offer. He's batting since four days, let me tell you he has been really patient and deserved it thoroughly. Ali drops it short outside off, punched through cover-point for a couple of runs.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Gets forward to a tossed up ball and leaves it alone.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! One-bounce boundary! Henry needs to wait for a bit to celebrate. But what a shot that is. Floated delivery, dipping in on middle, Nicholls wears his dancing shoes on and lofts it over mid on. It seemed like it has gone all the way but the replays confirm it didn't. Just two short of a ton now.

Can Henry celebrate? He's tonked one down the ground but the umpires want to see if the ball has bumped before going into the rope or not. The crowd is already on its feet but the batter isn't too keen to show emotions...

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Turning away from around off, left alone by Henry.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Floated ball outside off, blocked into the ground comfortably.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Length on middle and off, defended off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Southee stays back and with an angle bat steers it towards backward point.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. On a back of a length, holding its line as Tim has a tame poke at it. Gets beaten comprehensively.

Stuart Broad to Tim Southee. Welcomes his opposite number with a bumper, Southee is happy to sway away from the line.

Tim Southee walks in next.

Stuart Broad to Todd Astle. OUT! Chops it on! Stuart picks up his third and wears a broad smile on his face. Fuller in length and curling back in a touch, Astle tries forcing it through the line but gets an inside edge on the back boot and then it deflects onto the stumps. Soft dismissal, that. New Zealand lead by 283. Will they declare?

Stuart Broad to Todd Astle. FOUR! What was that? Lucky, Astle! Broad goes short and directs it towards the batsman, Todd sinks low as he looks to evade it but the ball keeps coming in. It takes the handle of the bat and flies over the keeper for a boundary. Broad isn't happy at all.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Goes around the wicket for the last ball of the over, loops it up on off, Nicholls hangs back in defense.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Flattish on middle and leg, nudged through square leg for a single.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Quicker through the air around leg, flicked through mid-wicket.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Darted in on middle and leg, wristed towards mid on.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Flatter on middle and off, blocked out gently.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. FOUR! Cheeky from Todd! He gets across to a tossed up ball outside off and paddle sweeps it down to fine leg for a boundary. It's appreciated by his teammates in the dressing room.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, not paid any heed.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Henry Nicholls presses forward and drives it towards the mid off fielder.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. On middle and off, driven back to the bowler. Broad collects it and fires it back at Nicholls and it hits him. Frustration from the pacer but he apologizes quickly.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Too easy for Henry! He's inching closer to a ton now. Fuller again on the pads, Nicholls is quick to take full toll of it as he whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fuller in length around leg, Henry Nicholls looks to flick but misses and wears it on the pads. A stifled appeal but it was pitching outside leg.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Begins the new spell from over the wicket, lands it around middle and off, Nicholls hangs back to defend but gets an inside edge on the pads.

A bit of discussion going on between the English players as to who should bowl. It's Stuart Broad to steam in...

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Tossed up outside off, Astle defends it down gently.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Takes a stride ahead and kills it into the turf.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Outside off, defended down watchfully.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. In the air... safe! Flighted delivery outside off, Astle gets down to hit it with the turn but gets a top edge instead. The ball lands safely in the deep sqaure leg region and the batsmen take two.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Floated delivery around off, blocked into the ground.

Moeen Ali to Todd Astle. Starts off from over the wicket and tosses it up on the stumps, Astle bunts it back to Ali.

Time for spin now. Moeen Ali is asked to roll his arm over. A slip and a short leg in place for the offie.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Good length outside off, Nicholls sees it through safely.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Fuller and decking in on middle and leg, clipped off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Bangs in a short one on middle and off, Todd Astle is happy to duck under it.

There is some issue with the ball. It's taken to the umpire who passes it through the 8-shape gauge. It seems to have gone out of shape and a new one is handed over to Overton.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Takes a stride forward and pushes it to mid off.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Angling down leg, Todd shuffles inside the line to clip it away but fails to get any wood on it.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Length ball outside off, punched in front of cover-point for an easy single.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. FOUR! In the air but safely through the gap! Fuller ball, a bit wide outside off, Astle goes hard at it. Squirts it off the outer half behind point for a boundary to end the over.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller and angling away, Nicholls goes hard at it. Gets an edge fine down to third man for a single.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Ahead of a length on middle and off, tucked towards mid-wicket for a single.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Tries to force it through the line but the length is too close to play that. Gets a bottom edge on the pads.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Good length delivery, coming back in on middle, Astle stabs it out towards cover.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Wanted to keep it full but ends up bowling a low full toss, knocked straight to mid on.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length outside off, tries to repeat the previous shot but this time it goes straight to the man at point.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Quick hands! Short and served wider outside off, Nicholls is quick to latch onto it. Cuts it neatly in the gap through backward point and picks up a boundary.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Overton drops it a bit short on middle, Henry moves across and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket to get a couple of runs.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Gets back and looks to cut but finds the man at cover-point.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Good length delivery outside off, Nicholls punches it to the man at mid off.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Another good save! Short and a bit wide outside off, Astle looks to steer it away and he does so but the man at gully dives to his left to save a boundary. A maiden for Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. After bowling three fuller deliveries, Chris goes short. Astle is quick to sit under it.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Keeps it fuller again, driven crisply to the cover fielder.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Pitches it right up there, Todd drives it straight back towards the bowler who in his followthrough sticks his left hand out and stops it.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Fuller ball from Woakes going wide of the crease, Astle is solid in defense.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Astle presses ahead and drives it through cover. Woakes from mid off is quick to move to his left and keep them down to a single.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Good length ball on off, shown a straight bat.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Another one on a fuller length, worked towards mid on.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Fuller and angling in on middle and off, kept out solidly.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Good stop, Root! Back of a length outside off, Todd punches it off the back foot towards cover where the English skipper dives to his left to make a good stop.

Craig Overton to Todd Astle. Ahead of a length outside off, pushed into the off side sweetly.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller and angling away outside off, Henry shoulders his arms to it.

Chris Woakes to Todd Astle. Back of a length outside off, Astle taps it in front of cover and opens his account with a brisk single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Short of a good length outside off, HN punches it off the back foot towards cover-point and crosses for a quick single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Sprayed wider than the previous one, Nicholls is happy to make a leave again.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Angling away on a fuller length outside off, easily left alone.

Todd Astle is the new man in.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. OUT! Colin de Grandhomme's show ends. Craig Overton breaks the 49-run stand. He lands it on a back of a length outside off, de Grandhomme tries to take him on with a powerful pull shot. He goes at it with all his might but there isn't much pace behind the ball and hence it takes the top edge. Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps leaps to take another good catch.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Another one outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Good leave! Coming back in from outside off, de Grandhomme hops back before shouldering his arms.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Slower one but it's too wide to make the batsman play. In fact, it crosses the tramline and umpire signals it as a wide.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Shot but for nothing! Fuller in length outside off, Colin leans ahead and drives it nicely but finds the man at mid off.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. On a length and closer to off stump, de Grandhomme makes an assured leave.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Digs in a short ball on leg, pulled towards Stokes at backward square leg for a quick single.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Well in control this time. Outside off, de Grandhomme square cuts this past point for a handsome boundary. Colin quickly moves to 29 off 34 balls now.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. An appeal for LBW but the umpire is not interested. Lands this on a length around off, the ball nips back in a bit and squeezes in off the bat and pad.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Great shot from de Grandhomme. Seen the width on offer, gets forward and drives it uppishly through covers for a boundary. 300 up for the Kiwis now.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Full again, de Grandhomme drives this to mid off for a dot.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Slightly fuller, Henry hits this back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Short ball on leg, Nicholls pulls this away down the fine leg region and the ball will go away for a boundary.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Changes his length now by pitching it up. De Grandhomme does not time it well enough and gets it of the outer half towards wide mid-wicket for another run.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Bouncer! Colin gets under it with ease.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Length on leg, Henry helps it towards square leg for one more.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Taps this towards mid-wicket with soft hands and quickly moves to the other end.

Craig Overton to Colin de Grandhomme. Pitched up around off, de Grandhomme drives it superbly through covers but finds the fielder.

Drinks are on the field now. New Zealand started the session being patient but are now scoring runs at a good pace. They lost the wicket of Watling but are looking comfortable for a bigger lead. The visitors are getting the ball to move around but they aren't using it to their strength. Let's see if they can bundle out the hosts till the Tea break...

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls tries swaying away from this one too, but the ball hits his chest and goes to Jonny. Expect this kind of bowling now, as there are no slips in place.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Drags his length back around off, Nicholls sways away from it.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. On leg, Colin works it towards mid-wicket and changes ends.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Around off, de Grandhomme defends it with a straight bat.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Length outside off, Colin gets his front foot forward and watches it go through to the keeper.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. De Grandhomme lets this ball go outside his off pole.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Fullish outside off, nothing doing says Nicholls.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Is right behind the line of this one as he defends it down watchfully.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Length ball, just outside off, punched towards the cover fielder.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Second one of the over! Short of a length delivery on middle, Henry lifts his one leg up and pulls it towards the longest part of the ground, the deep mid-wicket region and picks up a boundary. Moves to 75 with that.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length delivery on middle, stabbed out off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Gorgeous! Simply superb from the southpaw! Gets an overpitched delivery and he just brings his bat down in time to hit it straight back down the ground. It bisects mid on and mid off and races away.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Loud and strong appeal from the English players but nothing from the umpire. Woakes lands this on a length around off, the ball jags back in. It hits the pads and goes behind to the keeper. The players go up in unison but the umpire stays put. On seeing the replay, Hot Spot shows us that there was a spot on the bat and then it hit the pad on its way to the keeper. England thought they had their man but unfortunately, they don't have any reviews left for them to take it up. Colin survives.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Full outside off, Colin plays it along the turf to the mid off region.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! We have already seen a couple of on drives today and here's one more. Fuller on the stumps, Colin times it down the ground. No need to run for those.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. De Grandhomme drives this towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Edged and through. Length around off, makes de Grandhomme come forward. He obliges but it takes the outside edge of his bat and flies past the diving gully fielder for a boundary.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Overpitched ball, Nicholls drives it towards mid on and Stokes the fielder there, dives to stop a boundary.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Medium pace, on a back of a length, Nicholls climbs onto it and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. This one is slightly outside off and Henry leaves it alone.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Overton is getting the ball to move. Once again darts this on middle, the ball moves away from Nicholls who tried poking at it.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Good ball from Overton. Comes from over the wicket and lands it on middle, the ball swings away after pitching and beats the batsman completely.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the front foot by Nicholls presenting the full face of the bat.

Another change then. Craig Overton to have a go now.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Follows the maximum by leaving this outside his off pole.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. SIX! Picks up the length quickly and smokes it away over mid-wicket for a biggie. Woakes pitches this on a length around off, the ball sits up well for de Grandhomme who hits it for a biggie.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. This has been driven superbly towards cover-point.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Pushed to the cover region by de Grandhomme.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Length on leg, Henry works it around the corner for one.

Stuart Broad to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Not a bad way to get your innings going. Pitched up outside off, Colin latches onto this and drives it through covers for a boundary.

Stuart Broad to Colin de Grandhomme. Bangs this one short, down the leg, de Grandhomme thinks about pulling it but then decides against it.

Stuart Broad to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, de Grandhomme gets low and sees it through.

Stuart Broad to Colin de Grandhomme. Full around off, Colin leans forward and plays it along the turf for the extra cover fielder to collect.

Stuart Broad to Colin de Grandhomme. In line of the stumps, de Grandhomme defends it from his crease.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length on middle and leg, Nicholls taps it around the corner and gets a single.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Good leave from Colin and is not tempted to play the drive. Around off, Colin watchfully sees it through.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Outside off, de Grandhomme does not flirt with it.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Too wide to make Colin play at this.

Chris Woakes to Colin de Grandhomme. Colin leaves this ball outside his off pole.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Strays this on the pads, Henry flicks it away towards square leg and gives de Grandhomme to face his first ball.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Woakes starts by bowling this outside off, Nicholls leaves it alone.

Chris Woakes comes back into the attack.

Colin de Grandhomme is the next man in.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. OUT! There's the breakthrough England were searching for. Stuart Broad gets his man. After continuously leaving those balls outside his off stump, Watling chases this wide one and that brings his downfall. Broad hurls this outside off on a good length, Watling sans any feet movement goes fishing after it. It takes the outside edge and his opposite number behind the stumps takes a regulation catch. New Zealand lead two more than 200 at this stage with half the side still to bat.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball, Watling defends this off his back foot.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. BJ covers his stumps and defends this.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length in line of the stumps, Watling blocks it.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Length on leg, Henry flicks it away through square leg for one.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Overpitched ball, in line of the stumps, Watling drives it straight back to the bowler and Anderson puts his foot down in time to save a certain boundary.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. FOUR! Edged and through! Around off, a tad behind that good length, Watling looks to punch it through the line but gets a thick edge which flies between third slip and gully for a streaky boundary. This brings up the fifty-run partnership between the two and New Zealand's lead crosses 200 as well.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Angles this into Watling who works it away towards deep square leg, and will get two more for it.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Easy pickings for Watling. Pitched up on leg, Watling eases this through square leg for a brace.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Sprayed a bit wider outside off this, a much easy leave for Nicholls.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. So, so, close! Credit to Nicholls once again as he is trusting the bounce. Broad drops it on a length around the off stump line, it threatens to come back in as Henry shoulders his arms again. It just bounces over the stumps.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Beauty from Broad. Good length ball just outside the off pole, it nips back in a shade but Nicholls has his off stump covered as he makes a leave.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Very much better from Nicholls. On that fourth stump line, teasing Henry to play at it and it misses the outside edge of his bat.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Too wide to make Nicholls drive at this.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Around off, Watling gets behind the ball and taps it in front of him.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Watling defends it from within the crease.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Just short! Pitched up, around off. Watling plays this away from his body and gets it from the outer half of the bat just short of the backward point fielder, Stoneman.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Straighter in line, Watling solidly defends it.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Around off, Watling plays and misses.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Watling has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR BYES! Bouncer from Broad, Nicholls goes for the pull but this one bounces way too much as even Bairstow behind the stumps fails to collect it with a leap. 250 up for the Kiwis now, with a lead of 193.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Peach! That's better from Broad. Serves this on a good length, the ball hits the seam and shapes away from Nicholls who plays and misses.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full outside off, Nicholls chooses to leave it alone.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Another overpitched ball and Nicholls drives it perfectly through mid on. It races away to the fence. Excellent stroke play from the Kiwis.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Punched off the back foot by Nicholls towards mid on for a dot.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Too wide outside off, Nicholls stays put.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. BJ shoulders arms to let that one through.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Stifled appeal from the bowler but that was sliding down leg. Pitched up on the leg, Watling misses this flick and gets struck low on the pads.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Outside off, Watling points his bat towards the sky and leaves it alone.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Jaffa! My colleague, Jazzy, was just asking me if Anderson will break the record of McGrath in the all-time leading wicket taker's list. Surely, if he bowls like that. Lands this around off, Watling comes forward to have a feel for it but the ball moves away sharply and almost kisses the outside edge of his bat. Superb delivery.

Silly mid on comes in place now.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Too wide for Henry to play at this.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Wide outside off, Nicholls leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Slightly fuller on leg, Watling gets this off his inner half towards square leg for one.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Drags his length a tad back, Watling defends it.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. FOUR! Straight drive! This shot is like a spa to the eye. Overpitched ball on middle and leg, Watling drives this under his eyes through mid on for a boundary.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Cracking shot from the southpaw. Short and wide, Henry rocks back and punches this through covers for the first boundary of the day.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Maybe England need to pitch it up a bit. Tease the batsman to drive on the ball. This one is outside off again, Nicholls doesn't bother playing at it.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Henry cuts this to the point fielder.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, easy leave for Henry.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Good ball from Broad to end with. Shorter on length, Watling gets behind it and blocks it.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Broad is getting it to move in the air. Sings of things to come? He pitches this outside off, the ball lands and moves quite a bit for Jonny to collect.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Pitched up, BJ hits it towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Back of a length ball, in line of the stumps, Watling hops and defends it.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. First run of the day. Bowls this on the pads of Henry who flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Around off, Watling plays this with soft hands in front of him.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Slightly fuller, on the stumps, Watling taps it towards mid off.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. First touch of the ball with the bat. Length on the stumps, Watling blocks this from the crease.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Swing for Anderson too. Not seen much of this in this innings. Lands this outside off, Watling decides not to play with it.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Anderson serves this around off, Watling chooses to leave it.

James Anderson will bowl from the other end.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Around off, Nicholls lets the keeper collect this. A maiden to start with.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. On that fifth stump channel, Henry not tempted to drive.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Better, much better. Hint of away swing too. Length around off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Not there Broad, too wide for Henry to play at that. Get Nicholls to play those drives. This one is pitched well outside off, Henry lets it be.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Serves this outside off, on a back of a length, Henry leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Comes steaming in and lands it on a good length outside off, too far for Henry to play at it.

The players and the umpires are making their way out in the middle. Play is moments away now. Stuart Broad will bowl the first over of the day. Three slips and a gully in place for Henry Nicholls.

The home team will look to score as quickly as possible for a session or so and will then put the visitors to bat once again. England on the other hand, will look to wrap things up and come out better with the bat if they are to stay afloat in the Test match. Will that happen? We shall find out soon. You stay with us as the action is about to kickoff.

For a change, the rain has decided not to interfere in today's play. For now. This time, we are not even joking. Hello and a warm welcome to one and all for our coverage between New Zealand and England. Day 4 today, and the hosts lead by 175 runs. After having some real cricket on the first day, Day 2 and 3 hardly saw any. Like yesterday, today too, will be an early start and let's hope that the weather remains the same for the rest of the day.

... Day 4, Session 1 ...

England can count themselves lucky as they got away with another day but this is something that will be hurting the hosts. They are in pole position but the rain gods aren't showing mercy on them. They'll hope for a better tomorrow in terms of the weather conditions. Also, the forecast on Day 4 looks a bit better than today but still fingers crossed. There will be an early start at 1330 local time (0030 GMT), weather permitting, of course. Before we leave you can catch some action from the on going South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

If you think getting stood up on a date is the most painful feeling ever, then you have not waited for rain to go away during a cricket match. Nothing much to talk about the day as only 17 BALLS were bowled. Henry Nicholls got to his sixth half century and that remained the only talking point. The highlight then today was once again the rain as it just didn't relent and made us wait for a really long time before the inevitable happened.

1843 local (0543 GMT) Update - Has God answered your prayers? That depends if you are an England fan or a Kiwi. The news we have is that the ground is still wet and no further play will be possible on Day 3. STUMPS!

1745 local (0445 GMT) Update - Good news, folks! The covers are off, the sun is out in all its glory, and the players and umpires are making their way out to the middle. Stuart Broad is marking his run-up... Ahhh...I wish we could hear this from some of the officials... Jokes apart, the rain refuses to relent as it is coming down even harder now.

1700 local (0400 GMT) Update - Yaaaawn! Another hour has passed by but the rain hasn't. Continue with whatever you are doing as the waiting game goes on and on and on and....

1600 local (0300 GMT) Update - The Tea break has been done but there is still nothing much to report regarding the resumption. Let's keep our fingers crossed and be hopeful to get in some cricket soon.

1500 local time (0200 GMT) Update - The covers were off and there was supposed to be an inspection in next 15 minutes but as I type, the rain has once again started to pour. It's going to be that kind of a day. Meanwhile, the umpires have called for early Tea. Be with us for further updates.

1420 local time (0120 GMT) Update - The rain has eased off a bit but the covers are still in place as they predict that it might come down anytime. The umpires and the groundsmen are out in the middle with their umbrellas and are having a look at the ground conditions...

There it is. The rains continue to love Auckland and give us, cricket fans, a reason to hate them. There were dark clouds towards the west, but who expected that it will take just 17 balls for them to start spitting. The players then walk back to the dressing room and will wait anxiously for the rain to go away. For now the covers are on. Stay tuned for further updates.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Just as I was saying NZ are playing with caution, they go for a suicidal run. Nicholls taps this ball towards mid-wicket and tries to pick up a quick run. Woakes, the fielder there, collects the ball and has a shy at the striker's end. He misses, but had he hit, Watling was a goner who was late to take off.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Henry defends this from from his crease.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls lets that one through.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Fifty for Nicholls! His sixth in Test cricket and he has played well or should I say long to get here? He has been batting since Thursday night. Full on the pads of Henry who flicks it away through mid-wicket and comes back for the second.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it as Anderson gets some away movement on this.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Steams in from round the wicket, serves it around off and Henry leaves it alone.

James Anderson is brought on to bowl under overcast conditions, replacing Ali.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Watling has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length outside off, Watling doesn't fiddle with it.

And there's the first sign of it. It has started to drizzle...

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Cautious play from the hosts as they do not want to lose a wicket before rain stops play. This one is bowled outside off, Watling leaves it alone.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length on the stumps, Watling gets behind the ball and defends it.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Outside off again, Watling lets the keeper collect this.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length outside off, Watling shoulders arms to this one.

Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls lets that go through.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Flat around off, Henry is solid in his defense.

Moeen Ali to BJ Watling. Full again around off, Watling paddle sweeps this delicately towards fine leg for the first run of the day.

Moeen Ali to BJ Watling. Starts by bowling a fuller one in line of the stumps, Watling blocks.

We are all set for the action to resume. The players and umpires have made their way out to the middle. But tell you what, the dark clouds have gathered overhead and the conditions that looked promising at the start don't look the same now. All we can hope is that it doesn't intervene. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling are at the crease. Moeen Ali to finish his pending over. Let's play...

Want to know something you don't know? It is bright in Auckland and the rain has stayed away. I hope this is the answer you were looking out for. Anyways, on a brighter note we welcome you to Day 3 of our coverage between New Zealand and England. Due to the loss of time yesterday we have an early start today and will keep doing so for the rest of the days. On the status of the match, the hosts have taken a lead of 171 runs where Henry Nicholls is stranded on 49. Let's hope the weather stays put for the rest of the day so that we get some exciting cricket our way.

... Day 3, Session 1 ...

Rain, inclement weather, dark clouds, covers, hope... These were the words largely used on Day 2. More of such things cannot be ruled out for tomorrow as the forecast seems to be worse. Due to the time lost today, play on the upcoming three days will start half an hour early. So, see you tomorrow at 1330 local time (0030 GMT). Meanwhile, the Test between South Africa and Australia is at an interesting stage. Also, today, the second side qualifying for the 2019 World Cup would be clear. So switch over to catch those. Take care, buhbye!

We had just 23.1 overs of play possible, in which New Zealand swelled their lead to seemingly-humongous 171. They still have 6 wickets in hand to add more. Kane Williamson got to a triple figure today for the 18th time in Test cricket. He showed the way to counter whatever was thrown at him by the men with the cherry. His fall was the only success for England that came in the day. Henry Nicholls is well set for piling up more runs in the middle. He along with his skipper, kept the bowlers at bay for about 83 runs and 220 balls.

So! Today, we played the waiting game. Then some hide and seek with rain, besides covering and uncovering the surface. We could somehow squeeze in some cricket amidst this. Eventually, the weather prevailed and it is STUMPS, DAY 2!

2040 local time (0740 GMT) update - There's no rain for a while now. We're hearing that had the outfield been covered, play could have resumed at this point. But since it isn't dry enough, there's going to be another inspection in 20 minutes. Arghhh.... Frustration for a cricket enthusiast. Alas, the game isn't as simple as stopping only while the rain lasts. Yes, the players' safety is of utmost importance and hence such precautions are the right way forward. So for now, let's wait for further updates. Remember, we can go on till 2200 local time (0900 GMT).

1900 local time (0600 GMT) update - We're back, but not with something that'll please you all. The covers were off after the rain eased out a while ago but now it's RAINING AGAIN. The visuals that we have also show too many dark clouds' presence. The commentators on air reckon that it is not too thunderous but they don't sound positive about a quick resumption. Although some of the English players are on the ground, seeing them in action seems distant as of now. The waiting game continues...

... Day 2, Session 3 ...

1820 local time (0520 GMT) update - A tweet from the Kiwis' twitter handle clears the future course of action. It seems that Dinner has been taken now. There is an inspection scheduled to take place at 1850 local time and they are hopeful of starting at 1900, when the break ends. The positive news amidst this is that RAIN HAS STOPPED and COVERS HAVE COME OFF! Voila!

1800 local time (0500 GMT) update - More delay! Nothing new to bring to you. We are hearing that the intensity of the rain has reduced though we are yet to hear anything official about the same. We'll get back when we have something more to add.

Since then, BJ Watling has looked assured with Henry Nicholls in the middle, who is looking good for more runs. The southpaw is one short of a 6th Test fifty and would look to add more misery on the visiting team. The hosts' lead over the tourists at this stage is 29 shy of the double ton mark. That's all we have for now. Will catch you soon with some more updates as and when we get them.

Let's have a small recollection of the events that took place between the last interval and this one. We could have just under an hour of play since the Tea break. To put things into perspective, even in the first session we could only have 10 overs bowled. In the passage that ensued, Kane Williamson was snaffled up by the tourists, finally. He was trapped LBW and consumed a review before walking back.

1650 local time (0350) update - Uh oh! Bad news! The drizzle arrives, forcing the players to depart from the middle. Quickly, the covers are brought on and the track is already hidden. Although I can sound cliched and say that we hope for resumption soon, the visibility could also come into picture and let me tell you, it has gone pretty dark out there. This leads my colleague, Jazzy, to quip that it has the looks of the last session of a general Test match. We should be prepared of such start-stop proceedings.

Moeen Ali to BJ Watling. Slower through the air outside off, Watling goes back and pats it towards covers.

Moeen Ali to have a bowl now. He hasn't impressed much with the ball in recent times. With 'English conditions' around, can he start weaving his magic now? Meanwhile, ferocious dark clouds are hovering above the ground. This seems to be an alarming sign as the groundsmen get ready to rush in the middle on the first call.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Broad comes round the wicket now and bowls it full on the stumps. Turned away to mid on for nothing.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. This one is flicked away through square leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Length ball on the stumps, blocked from the crease.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Watling minds his business and doesn't play at this delivery that is well outside off.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Vicious movement! This length ball nips in greatly after pitching outside off. Watling cannot do much about that and the ball goes off his thigh pads towards slips.

Stuart Broad to BJ Watling. Hurled outside off, on a fuller length. Watling chooses to not play that one.

Stuart Broad to have another go with the ball. Three slips and a gully in place. Interesting field for Watling.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller in length, on the stumps. Henry lunges and defends it.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is hurled well outside off again. Easy job for Nicholls of not poking his bat at that.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Another one outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is too wide to evoke a shot from Nicholls.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. The balance maintained by Nicholls whenever he has played a shot off the back foot in this innings is noteworthy. He gets on the back foot and nicely pushes this one through point and runs two after that. Nice batting.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. From round the wicket, Woakes lands it just outside off. Nicholls points his bat skywards and lets it be.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. This ball is pushed towards mid on to retain strike.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Another one outside off, Henry lets it be.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Full and angling away, Nicholls leaves it alone.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. This one is on the pads, hit to the man at deep backward square leg for one.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. FOUR! Watling is finding his feet here. Gets a length ball and the desired width outside off. He hangs back and slaps it through point for a boundary.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. On the pads, worked away to the on side for a single.

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. This length ball is defended from the crease. 9 runs off this over.

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. FOUR! Streaky but effective! On a length outside off, Watling stands tall and hangs his bat out at that. The outside edge of the bat is taken and the ball races away to the fence through the gap between the slip cordon and gully.

Chris Woakes to BJ Watling. FOUR! Elegant stroke. Such shots have to get the right value and this one does. Full delivery outside off, moves in a touch. It meets the bat right in the middle and races away through covers. The position that Watling was in as he played that was just too good. Broad hares after it from mid off, slides and almost saves a run for his side. As it so happens in these cases, the on-field umpire wanted the replays to confirm. On those, it is seen that Broad was in contact with the ropes and the ball at the same time and hence a boundary is given.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Short in length, pulled away through square leg for a single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is full and wide outside off, HN lets it be.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This one moves in after landing, going past Henry's bat and hitting him high on the pads. Again, Woakes goes up in appeal but to no avail. They don't have a review to take, England.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Again this one is too wide to make the batsman play.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Outside off, left alone.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Length ball angling in, Watling fails to get it away and gets hit on the thigh pads. A stifled appeal but not much response from the umpire.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Another one outside off, Watling leaves it alone.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Harmless ball well outside off, Watling lets it be.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Again, Nicholls lets this delivery outside off go unharmed.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is hurled outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full on off, driven towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller length on a straighter line, pushed towards mid on.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full around off and middle, blocked solidly.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Wow! That swung back in a long way after pitching. Nicholls looks to let it go but gets hit high on the front pad. The ball goes to Root at second slip on the bounce, who has a shy at the batter's end but misses. So much happened, not a single appeal made.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Short length delivery, pulled away to deep square leg for a single. After the stroke, some pleasantries exchanged between Anderson and Nicholls.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. On a length around middle and leg, Henry defends it off the inner half to the on side.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, left alone.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Full and angling in, Watling flicks it through mid-wicket for three runs to get going.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Hurled in line of the stumps, defended by Watling from the crease.

James Anderson to BJ Watling. Anderson bowls this full outside off, Watling doesn't bother playing at that.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls can leave these deliveries all day long. Nevertheless, a maiden for Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Another one outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full and down the leg side Nicholls fails to make contact in his attempted flick.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This delivery is kept out from the crease with a straight bat.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Short in length, pulled to square leg.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Hurled outside off, Nicholls lets that go.

BJ Watling walks in at number 6. Meanwhile, Chris Woakes is also brought back for a bowl.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. OUT! Williamson gone, review gone as well! Anderson and the new ball, seldom has this pair failed to impress. He lands it on a length outside off, it curves in after pitching. The movement inwards is a significant one and hence, the well-set Williamson fails to counter that. He misses the defence and the ball strikes him flush on the front pad. The dreaded finger is raised immediately. After a chat with his partner, Kane decides to take it upstairs. It is seen that after striking the front pad, the ball hits his gloves. Counts for nothing as the Hawk Eye returns three reds. The 83-run stand is broken with New Zealand 148 runs ahead. The Kiwi skipper walks back after a wonderful knock.

Is this the wicket? Is it the one that England want and have got? Kane Williamson is adjudged LBW but he has a chat with his partner and opts for the DRS.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Risky run! Nicholls pushes this one towards covers and takes off for a single. Ali there, collects and has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end but misses. It would have been curtains for Henry if it would have hit.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. What a ball! It lands around leg, perhaps outside that, and then nips away ever so slightly. Makes the batter stand tall to defend before it beats the outside edge of the bat.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Length ball angling away, Henry covers his stumps and lets it go.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Kane goes back to this one and pushes it towards point. Takes one run after that.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Good batting isn't only about the drives and the cuts. It also involves some smart running. Here, Nicholls lets the ball come to him and pats it towards cover-point. Knows he hasn't hit it hard and calls his partner through for a single and they complete it as well.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Straight batted defense again. This one is around off, pushed defensively back towards the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Broad drags his length a bit back on this one. Kane stays back and just guides it towards gully after letting the ball come to him.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full on off, Williamson prods and defends it back.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Sprayed down the leg side, Kane fails to flick it away.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on middle and leg, flicked away nicely. Beats the diving mid-wicket fielder with ease. However, the ball again slows down near the ropes and three runs are completed before it is returned.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Nice-looking stroke. Full delivery slanting across Nicholls, he takes a stride out and pushes it through covers. Owing to the rain, the outfield has become a bit sluggish. As a result, just a couple results.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Another one on a length, Kane bunts it.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Bowled on a length, Kane blocks it back towards the bowler.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full and wide outside off, Williamson just lets it be.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. This time, Williamson stays in the crease, lets the ball come to him and dead-bats it.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Outside off, left alone by Kane.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full around middle and leg, flicked to mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On the pads, nudged through square leg for one to get going in this session.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length ball angling in, Williamson misses and gets rapped on the thigh pad. There's no appeal made, perhaps looking at the height of impact there. Hawk Eye shows that it would have gone over the stumps.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Another one outside off, Williamson covers his stumps and lets that go.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Shorter length but down the leg side. Williamson looks to take some easy runs by pulling it. Fails to do so and Bairstow dives to his left and gathers that.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Another one well outside off, Kane doesn't play at that one and lets it be.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Fuller and outside off, Williamson lunges and lets it go through.

Stuart Broad will run in from the other end. Remember, the second new ball is available now and TAKEN!

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. This is full outside off, Nicholls withdraws his bat and shoulders arms.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Another one on a fullish length around off and middle. HN stands tall and bunts it.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. On a length outside off, pushed towards point.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Hurled on the stumps, defended off the front foot with a straight bat.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Another one on a length, Henry defends it from the crease.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Jimmy starts from round the stumps and lands it on a fuller length around off. Nicholls defends it to the off side for nothing.

To begin the session, James Anderson has the ball in hand. Henry Nicholls takes strike, while Kane Williamson waits at the other end. After this over, the second new ball will be available, too. The session timings have been revised. Second session will be from 1550 to 1820 while the third session will be from 1900 to 2130 local time.

The inclement weather has relented and we have conditions good enough for players to step out on the field. However, let me tell you, it isn't too bright in the middle. David Lloyd reckons on air that these are English conditions. Does this mean that the tourists would find it easier? Well, only the action will reveal that.

... Day 2, Session 2 ...

Kane Williamson has already got to his ton and is amidst an unbeaten 74-run stand with the southpaw. They lead is stretched to 139 already and if the hosts bat the entire day, in all likelihood they'll bat England out of the game. The rain had its say in the first session and the forecast isn't promising for the rest of the day. Start-stop kind of day beckons. Join us back for the next session, weather permitting...

It's been all Kiwis this morning. They have continued from where they left off last night. The overnight pair of Williamson and Nicholls has done well to see off the session under heavily overcast conditions. 10 overs were what we managed to get in where we saw the English bowlers bowling disciplined lines and lengths.

1530 Local time update - We get the news that TEA has been taken early. If there is no further intervention the play is set to resume at 1550 local. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

1515 Local time update - Good news! The rain has eased off and the big cover is peeled too. The New Zealand official twitter handle has just shared this. Let's hope for a quick resumption...

1440 Local time - And there they come, groundsmen with covers. Umbrellas go up in the stands while the players are asked to leave the field. We are in for a delay, folks. Let me tell you, it's going to be the norm for the day as more of it is predicted for later as well...

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Back of a length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot towards cover. That's third maiden in a row for Craig Overton.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Bangs in a short one outside off, Kane drops his wrists and ducks.

The groundsmen are ready with the covers. Seems like it has started to pour now. It has gone really dark. And yes, the angry looking-sound from the heavens could be heard. Not good...

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Pitches it up on off, driven straight to the man at mid off.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Veering in on the pads, tucked into the mid-wicket region.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Fullish on off, bunted back to Overton.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on off, driven towards mid off.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. 18th Test ton for Kane Williamson! And this is a special one as he records for the most no. of tons in Tests for a Kiwi player! Laudable effort, isn't it? The crowd is up on its feet as Kane sinks it all by looking upwards. He gets to the milestone by playing his favorite shot. A dab with an angled bat. It goes on the bounce towards the gully who fails to stop it cleanly and parries it towards Stokes at point. Ben tries to have a shy at the bowler's end but fails to collect the ball.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Shortish length delivery on middle, tucked towards mid-wicket to bring Williamson on strike.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Much better from Jimmy! Angles it away on a length outside off, Nicholls doesn't go after it.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Loosener from Anderson! Another one on a shorter length this time on leg, Nicholls lifts his leg up and nails the pull towards fine leg.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Anderson is pulled away but just for a single! He digs in a short one, Williamson is up for the task as he pulls it towards deep backward square leg. He is just one short of a ton now.

James Anderson into the attack for the first time. England's best vs New Zealand's best at the moment.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Back-to-back maidens for Overton! Hurls it across the southpaw who makes a fifth leave in the over.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Finally he plays. On the stumps, HN leans ahead to work it towards mid on.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. That's four on the trot for Henry! This one is shaping away from a fuller length on off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Angling away on a fuller length, shaping further away, nothing doing.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Similar delivery and Nicholls is once again happy to keep Bairstow busy behind the stumps.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Good length delivery, angling away on off, Nicholls shows good patience as he makes a watchful leave.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Woakes smartly changes the pace and delivers it on a length on middle, Henry seems to be foxed by it a bit but manages to pull it along the ground through backward square leg to retain strike.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller in length on off, Henry takes a stride forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Nicely clipped off the pads to get to the other end.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Woakes keeps it on a length outside off, worked towards mid on.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Digs in a short ball on leg, Nicholls unfurls a controlled pull shot towards fine leg to bring his skipper back on strike.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Shortish in length and on middle and leg, flicked towards the man at mid-wicket.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. A maiden to begin with for Overton! Pitches it up on off, Kane nicely pats it towards cover.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Good length delivery on middle and off, worked towards mid on off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Fullish in length on off, stroked but not off the middle to the cover fielder.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. On a length and outside off, easy leave for the Kiwi skipper.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Good length outside off, pushed off the front foot towards cover.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Starts off from over the wicket and hurls it on a length and angles it in on middle, Kane walks across and tucks it towards mid-wicket. Immediately shouts 'Wait on'.

First change of the day as Craig Overton comes on to bowl.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Short of a good length outside off, Nicholls gets on top of the bounce and steers it neatly behind point. Won't get a boundary as Stokes from that position chases it down. They take two.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Very full on off, the southpaw goes hard at it but ends up hitting it straight to the short cover fielder.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Good from Woakes! Continues to bowl it in the channel of uncertainty, Nicholls is happy to lunge forward and offer a water-tight defense.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Sprays a touch wider outside off, brings it back in, Henry has no qualms in leaving that one alone.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller again and this one keeps coming in, Nicholls plants his front foot across before lifting his bat to make a leave. Close!

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller and angling in from wide of the crease, Henry is solid in defense.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Marginally fuller on middle and off, worked towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Back of a length on middle and off, a tentative push into the cover region.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Beaten all ends up! Lovely from Broad! He drops it on a length around off, Kane plays for the initial line but the ball leaves him alone. Whizzes past the outside edge. Ooohsss and aaahsss follow from the cordon.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Moves on to 97 with a nice clip through square leg for a brace. Good running!

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Stays back to a length ball and stabs it out in front of the cover fielder.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Ahhh... Delightful from Kane! Broad overcooks it on middle and off, Williamson brings his bat down in time and just presents a straight bat. Gets it off the meat past the non-striker and mid on fielder had no chance to stop that one. Superb!

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Coming back in from outside off, Henry covers the line before making a leave.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on off, HN drives it towards Ali at mid off.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Drags his length back on middle and off, Nicholls walks across to pull but the length isn't an ideal one to get going. Keeps it out towards mid-wicket.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length outside off, moving further away this time the batter is happy to let it pass.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. There you go! Nicholls nearly falls in the trap! That seems to be the plan for him. Fuller ball, tempting Henry to go after it who obliges. Looks to drill one through covers sans any feet movement. The ball shapes away a bit to beat the outside edge by not much.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. On a fuller length outside off, the line is not threatening which allows the southpaw to make an assured leave.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Back of a length outside off, punched firmly but finds mid off.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. A shout for an LBW! On a length and around leg, it skids a bit off the deck and pings Henry on the pads who fails to put bat on ball. The ball goes off the pads towards gully and the batsmen cross for a leg bye. Broad keeps appealing but umpire Bruce Oxenford shakes his head. Pitching outside leg!

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Good length delivery on middle and leg, shown tight defense.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Pitches it right up there, curls back in just a touch, Henry wrists it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for nothing.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Another one relatively fuller on middle and leg, Nicholls bunts it back to Stuart.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Broad is lucky to get away with that one! Fuller and swinging down leg, Nicholls fails to put bat on ball.

Stuart Broad to have a go from the other end. Strong breeze is blowing across the stadium. It's heavily overcast...

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Comes back in from a fuller length outside off, Williamson hangs back in defense. Tidy stuff from Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Comes from over the wicket to the right-hander, fuller on off, Kane defends it down solidly.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Stays back to a length ball and works it off the inner half towards square leg for a quick single.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Another one on a back of a length outside off, blocked gently.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. First runs of the day! Woakes goes fuller and angles it into the pads, Nicholls walks across and clips it past the man at mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Woakes comes from around the wicket and drops it on a back of a length on middle and off, Henry stands back and shows full face of the bat.

It's time to get underway. The overnight pair of Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls is out along with the players and the umpires. Chris Woakes will steam in first up. Two slips and a gully in place...

Michael Atherton interviews James Anderson who has a glum look on his face. He is really disappointed with their performance yesterday and says that they are desperate to come back in the game. Continues to call it really disappointing on their part and all they can do is work hard. Further says their preparations have been good but finds it hard to fathom what happened last morning. Informs there isn't enough in the surface to generate swing but says it does in the last session when the lights are on.

Pitch Report - Mark Richardson inspecting the pitch tells us that the weather is good at the moment as it is not raining but thunderstorms are predicted for the day. Informs the pitch was under cover for a really long time and hence the surface is really cold. Adds there is a lot of moisture in it and if the sun is out, he is sure that it will have some juice for the pacers.

Tom Latham and his captain strung an 84-run stand which took their side into the lead before the southpaw departed. Ross Taylor couldn't add much to the total but it was Henry Nicholls who offered good resistance to Kane as the duo then managed to see off the remainder of the day. The Kiwis lead by 117 at the moment and with their skipper inching closer to a ton and the batsmen to follow next, it wouldn't be wrong to predict that they will run away with the show. Do England have it in them to pull things back? Stick with us as the live action is about to kickoff.

New Zealand are well and truly on top. After a dream spell from a certain Trent Boult last morning, the hosts managed to dismantle the English batting line-up in the blink of an eye. Having bundled out for a scanty 58, England needed wickets and that too in heaps to stand a chance. They did get one in the name of Jeet Raval but skipper Kane Williamson arrived to the fore to keep the opposition at bay.

... Day 2, Session 1 ...

Earlier, New Zealand bowlers ran through England's batting to skittle out the hosts for a almost-nothing 58. Trent Boult and Tim Southee shared the spoils and that left Williamson not needing to look at anybody else for a spell. The left-arm seamer impressed one and all with a 6-fer, thereby registering his best bowling figures in an innings in Tests. That meant that the hosts have a stronghold on the game, being ahead by 117 runs. Will the home-side-dominance continue even tomorrow? Please be with us at 1400 local time (0100 GMT) to find out. Meanwhile, you can have a look at the action from the World Cup Qualifiers and also the Protea-Australian Test match. Till the next time, ta-ta!

England's bowlers toiled hard without much success. Often, when you don't have a big score to play with, early wickets hold the key and motivate the bowlers. Stuart Broad succeeded in getting the outside edge of Jeet Raval early, only to see it spilled by his skipper. Post that, there weren't much chances that came across. In the last session, Latham and Ross Taylor's dismissals triggered interests but a collapse was not to be.

New Zealand. Wow! What a day they've had. Kane Williamson, the skipper, has led from the front and is looking good for a triple figure mark. He stitched stands over fifty with Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls. The one with the latter is still undefeated. Looking at the way his skipper has batted, Latham would rue missing getting a significant score. That was evident from his reaction after he got dismissed.

Craig Cummins is with Mike Hesson for a chat. The New Zealand coach says that they were happy to bowl first after winning the toss. Reckons that his bowlers found their lines and lengths pretty early and reaped rewards for those efforts. States that it was always going to be difficult batting against the new ball. Concedes that they are looking to bat a couple of sessions and then take it from there. All in all, he is happy with how the things have panned out as of now.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Williamson sees off the final delivery of this day. He keeps this length ball from the crease to the off side for nothing. He goes back unbeaten on 91. That's the end of Day 1 of this Test series.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, punched towards covers. Nicholls wanted a run but had to be sent back.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. On the pads, flicked through square leg for one.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. 50-run partnership between Nicholls and Williamson. This has been a useful association for the hosts. He lets this one come to him and guides it through the slip cordon for a brace.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Gorgeous stroke in the dying moments of the day. This is pitched up outside off, Nicholls gets his front foot forward and pushes it past mid off for a boundary. The lead is now is 114, while the stand is 49.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls stays on the back foot and punches it towards covers.

Last over of the day coming up. Craig Overton to deliver that one. Nothing less than a wicket would please Joe Root. A couple of slips in place apart from a short leg.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Straight ball on a length outside off, Williamson watches the ball sail into the keeper's mitts.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, Kane withdraws his bat and lets it go.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Punched off the back foot towards point for nothing.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson keeps it out watchfully from the crease.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is worked away through backward square leg for a single.

Neil Wagner is seen padded up. He could be in next, if a wicket falls, in the role of a nightwatchman. Perhaps in that case, BJ Watling may not walk in at 6.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. On the pads on a length, worked away through backward square leg to retain strike.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. This delivery is defended from the crease with a straight bat.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length delivery, Henry lets it go.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Length ball down the leg, Nicholls lets it go to the keeper.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Angling in on a length, helped away to fine leg for one.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Slower delivery on a fuller length on off and middle. Williamson lets it come on the bat and blocks it.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full outside off, driven to covers.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Hurled on the pads, worked away through backward square leg for one.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. This ball is defended off the back foot towards covers.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson covers his stumps and lets the ball pass to the keeper. He still is 11 short of a ton.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. This one is worked away off the pads for nothing.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. From wide of the crease, he bowls it full on off. Kane pushes it back down the ground.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. On a length, Henry defends it from the crease to short leg.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Another bouncer on the stumps, Nicholls sinks low for the keeper to do the rest.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Banged short on the stumps, Henry ducks to let it go.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Short in length, pulled away through square leg. Stokes gets to his left in the deep and saves a couple.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Once again Kane whips it to fine leg for one.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, driven to covers.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Hands on head moment for Woakes. He lets out a full delivery, Nicholls looks to blast it through the off side. The ball moves in a touch and goes through to the keeper. Almost similar to the way Moeen Ali was out.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Hurled outside off on a length, left alone by HN.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. On a length outside off, punched off the back foot towards covers.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. This is blocked to the off side for nothing.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length ball angling in, Williamson gets off strike but nudging it to fine leg for one.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Worked away through square leg for a single.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Williamson stays in the crease and blocks this one.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full on the pads, Kane fails to flick it and wears it low on the pads. A stifled appeal is turned down.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. This is full in length, gets it off the outer half towards slips.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full and angling in, Williamson lets it come in and blocks it towards point.

Meanwhile, Craig Overton has been handed the ball now.

We are now getting into the extra half hour. 7 overs are left in the day.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full on off, hit back to the bowler.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Straight and full well outside off, Nicholls minds his own business and lets it pass to the keeper.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, Nicholls just lets it go to the keeper.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Angling in on a length, Kane works it away with the angle to fine leg for one. He moves to 86, while the stand is worth 36.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. NEW ZEALAND'S LEAD TOUCHES 100! Nicholls works this length ball towards wide mid on and gets to the other end.

Chris Woakes to Henry Nicholls. Full and outside off, Nicholls doesn't bother putting bat to that.

Chris Woakes comes back for another burst. Can he prise out a scalp here? The Kiwi lead is 99 now.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. This one is pushed towards backward point for a quick run. The man there was a bit deep and hence that allowed the batters to cross.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Turn! Nicely floated outside off, Nicholls lets it be. But the ball lands and spins away.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. A touch shorter, Kane goes back and punches it through covers for one.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Flighted delivery, hit to the man at silly mid on.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Flatter on the stumps, defended from the crease.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated outside off, pushed defensively towards mid off.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On a back of a length, Williamson gets on his toes and plays it square on the off side for one. The lead is three shy of reaching three figures.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full again, Nicholls gets it off the inner half towards mid on for a quick single.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Full on off, driven straight back to the bowler. Stuart does well to collect it on the followthrough.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Broad comes round the wicket and lands it on a length around off. Nicholls stands tall and pushes it towards covers.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. This delivery is pushed towards covers for a single.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Bowled full outside off, Kane has a feel for that. The ball moves away just a touch and he gets beaten on the outside. Seems to be a sound as the ball passes the blade but as it turns out, the bat just hits the back pad at that time.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Floated on a fuller length, driven towards covers.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Flatter and quicker outside off, Nicholls goes back and looks to cut. It is the skidder and hence he ends up chopping it off the bottom half to the off side.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Served on the stumps, pushed back towards the bowler.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. This one is paddle swept through short fine leg for a couple.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Floated around off, Nicholls gets forward and blocks.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Williamson lets the ball come to him before blocking it. Thinking the ball to be rolling on the stumps, he pokes his bat at it and pushes it towards the slip cordon.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, Kane drives it towards mid off. Thinks of taking a single before deciding against it.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. This ball is driven straight towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Banged short on the stumps, Williamson lets it pass.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full on the stumps, driven towards mid on for nothing.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Shortish in length again, Kane goes back and pushes it through covers for one. Brings up 150 for the Kiwis. The lead is 8 short of reaching 100.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. The first dot in the over after 4 singles. Williamson goes back and punches it towards cover-point. A diving effort by the point fielder after getting to his right prevents a run.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Some more air given to this one around off, Henry gets down and sweeps it to fine leg. One more run added to the total.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Slower through the air outside off, Williamson comes ahead and glides it towards backward point for another run. Moves to 81.

Moeen Ali to Henry Nicholls. Flatter on the pads, Nicholls goes back and works it past short leg for one.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Tossed up outside off, Williamson lunges and pushes it through covers for a single.

Spin time. Moeen Ali is back into the attack now. Hasn't had a good time so far. Can he change it?

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. This ball is defended from the crease.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Fortunate. On a length just around off, Nicholls goes back to defend. Ends up getting an inside edge. The ball goes through his legs and strikes the back leg before rolling to the leg side.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Bowled across on a length, left alone by HN.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. This delivery is kept out towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On the pads, clipped through square leg for one.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Hurled on a length outside off, pushed defensively back towards the bowler.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Another one outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Short in length, going away. Nicholls doesn't bother playing at that.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. This is a shot of a man in control. Gets slightly forward to this one and meets the ball with the full straight face of the bat. Drives this through covers and some excellent running gets Williamson three. He moves to 78 now, as the lead increases to 86.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. This delivery is on a shorter length. Nicholls goes back and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a single.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Slanted away on a length, Henry shuffles across and withdraws his bat to let it go.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. This is outside off, Nicholls covers his stumps and lets the ball go to the keeper.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Fuller outside off, Kane has a lunge and leaves it without playing.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. A touch fuller, Nicholls misses the flick and gets it off his pads to the on side. The batters steal a leg bye, even as Bairstow gets to the ball and has a mime of a throw at the bowler's end.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. Delivered on a length on middle and leg, hit towards mid on.

Stuart Broad to Henry Nicholls. This is slanted across the southpaw, Henry shoulders arms to that one.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Lovely whip. On a length outside off, Kane moves across and whips it off his hips through square leg for one. The lead moves to 81.

Stuart Broad back for another spell.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. On a length angling away, Nicholls hangs on the back foot and has a feel for that. Fortunately for him, he doesn't edge that.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Length ball outside off, punched towards cover-point for a single.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full on middle and leg, driven to mid on for nothing.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. This one is defended from the crease towards mid off.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Tripe! After a good delivery, this one is a bonus for the batter. Hurled on a length on the pads, Williamson looks to flick. But the ball goes off his thigh pad and rolls to the fine leg fence. Leg byes signaled.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Good bouncer. Overton bends his back and lands it outside off. Williamson looks to pull it but then, finding it a bit too high for his liking, withdraws from it.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Around middle and leg, defended to the on side for nothing.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Hurled across Nicholls, he lifts his blade to let it pass.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Short in length, Williamson pulls it nicely through backward square leg for one.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Fuller in length, clipped to mid-wicket.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Length ball again, this time Kane has to hop to block.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Well played Williamson. Seeing the length of this one, he looks to duck. But he does well to have his eyes on the ball. The ball doesn't climb much and he does well to keep it down with his gloves.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Another soft edge, it goes on the bounce towards gully. A maiden from Overton.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Fuller on the stumps, defended from the crease.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Henry stands tall and blocks this one nicely.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. This time the ball goes off the outside edge towards the slip cordon on the bounce.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. On a length going across, Nicholls lets it go.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. WILLIAMSON STAYS, REVIEWS LOST! This never looked threatening, to be honest. Jimmy lands it on a length outside off, it goes on with the angle. Williamson wants to leave it alone and hence shoulders arms but the ball strikes him high on the pads. The players appeal and get a shake of head in response. After some thought, DRS is taken by England. The impact wouldn't have mattered if the ball would have hit the stumps as the batsman wasn't offering a shot. But the Hawk Eye shows the ball to be missing the stumps and hence the second review also goes down the drain for England.

Another review time! An LBW appeal against Kane Williamson is taken upstairs by England. They'd have their fingers crossed and wish they don't lost this as well.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Streaky yet effective. This one is bowled fuller outside off, Williamson looks to defend. The ball goes off the outer half and goes through the gap between gully and the slip cordon for a boundary.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Again, in line of the stumps, Williamson blocks this nicely.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. This delivery is defended solidly from the crease.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. This is bowled outside off, Kane just lets it be.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Bowled on a length around middle and off, defended with a straight bat back towards the bowler.

The final drinks break has been taken by the players. England will be the happier side in this session after sending back two in-form players. For New Zealand, their skipper is still in the middle and his presence out there will give the rest a needed confidence.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, Nicholls shoulders arms to it.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Pitched up in line of the stumps, Henry hits it back to the bowler.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. FOUR! Short ball around off, Henry pulls this through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Nicholls has been struck high on the pads, a half-hearted appeal from the players but the umpire stays put.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Outside off, left alone.

Craig Overton to Henry Nicholls. Wide down the leg side, No trouble at all for the batsman as he still goes for the flick.

Craig Overton is back.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Defended off the back foot by the batsman.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Bouncer! Kane does well to evade it.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Back of a length ball, Henry flicks it around the corner for one.

James Anderson to Henry Nicholls. Around that fourth stump line, Nicholls lets it go.

Henry Nicholls is the next man in.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. OUT! The change of ball has done the trick for England. After hitting a couple of boundaries in the previous over he tries pulling this. Anderson bangs this short outside off, Taylor reaches for it and doesn't time it well. The ball goes high and towards mid-wicket where Chris Woakes takes another catch with a jump. Anderson gets his second.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. Length on middle, Taylor hits it towards mid on.

The ball is now being inspected. England are having a problem with it once again. The umpire is having a look at it as the fourth umpire comes running in with a new set of balls. They have given them a replacement.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Down the leg, Taylor works it on its way for a single.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Elegantly done! So pleasing to the eye. Overpitched on the stumps, Taylor drives it wide of the bowler along the ground for another boundary.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! Well in control this time. Outside off, Taylor cuts it past backward point as the ball rolls to the fence.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Five Wides! Too high for any keeper to collect that. Woakes bangs this short and Taylor ducks under it. Bairstow jumps high but the ball evades him and races away to the boundary.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length ball, Williamson punches this on the on side and quickly picks up a quick run.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length ball, Williamson hangs back and blocks it.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length down the leg, Williamson flicks it with a wristy shot to the fielder at square leg.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. In line of the stumps, Taylor hits it to mid on.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Flicks this squarer on the leg and will get one for it.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full on the pads of Williamson who flicks it to the fielder at square leg.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full on the stumps, Williamson hits it back to the bowler.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Pitched up, Williamson drives this to mid off.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Similar shot and gets beaten again. Around off, Taylor looks to cut this close to his body and misses again.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Taylor goes flashing hard but is beaten.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On leg, Williamson flicks this towards square leg for a single.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Pushed to the cover region by Taylor. One run added to the total.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Back of a length ball on the pads, Taylor gets hit high on the knee roll. The bowler starts to appeal and then withdraws after the umpire shows no interest.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. On the pads, clipped through mid-wicket for one.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. Full and moving away a touch, Taylor looks to drive it but gets it off the leading edge past mid off for a couple.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. Fuller on off, defended back towards the bowler.

James Anderson to Ross Taylor. This is bowled outside off, left alone.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. This is a different sort of run in with the umpire! Chris Woakes does it. This ball by Anderson is full on the pads, Williamson flicks it through backward square leg. Chris is stationed at square leg and as he looks to go to his right to get to the ball, he bumps into umpire Bruce Oxenford at square leg. The single is taken eventually and Woakes and the umpire share some smiles.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. On a length around off, Williamson hangs back and guides it towards point.

James Anderson is brought back into the attack.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Length around off, Taylor pushes this towards covers.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full on the stumps, Taylor defends it from the crease.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Gets behind the ball this time and blocks.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Beaten again! Around off, Taylor looks to fiddle with it and gets beaten once more.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Outside off, Taylor plays and misses.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. NOT OUT! Kane Williamson survives. The TV umpire doesn't have enough evidence to give that out. Pitched up ball, Taylor drives this back handsomely. Woakes gets low and stretches his right hand out. Williamson comes walking down as the ball is bowled. The ball then goes to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Woakes is not fully sure but the players from the slip cordon go up in unison. The umpire then takes it upstairs. On seeing the replays, we see that Kane is casual to not get back in his crease but even after couple of zoom ins, the TV umpire cannot find the ball touching the hand of Woakes. Hence, he rules it in favor of the hosts, which does not please the tourists.

Is Williamson a goner? England think so. A run out appeal has been referred upstairs. The ball has hit the fingertips of Woakes and gone to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Is this the game-changer?

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Drifting on the pads of Ross who flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Around off, Taylor goes for the flicks but gets an inside edge onto his pads and dies onto the ground.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Taylor drives this to mid off.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Back of a length ball, Williamson goes back and tucks it towards deep square leg for a run. With that comes the 100 for New Zealand and the lead is now 42.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Short ball down the leg, Williamson gets low and allows the ball through.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Length around off, Kane opens the bat face and gives it to third slip on the bounce.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Defended off the back foot from within the crease.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. In line of the stumps, Ross blocks it with a straight bat.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. FOUR! First boundary for Ross. Outside off, Taylor hangs back and cuts it past backward point for a boundary. He likes it in that area and has played it very well.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Effort ball from Woakes, Ross ducks under it to let the ball through.

Chris Woakes to Ross Taylor. Full on leg, Taylor whips this away through mid-wicket. A brace results.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length on leg, Kane tucks it around the corner for one.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Full on middle and leg, RT hits it to mid on.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Slightly full around off, Taylor plays this along the turf for the mid off fielder to collect.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Taylor shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Drags his length back, Taylor ducks in time to let Bairstow collect it.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Length ball on the stumps, Ross flicks this to the square leg fielder.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Pitched up, Taylor plays this towards mid on.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off, Kane pushes this towards mid off.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Williamson has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length again, Williamson has been struck on his thigh pad.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Kane lets it go.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Back of a length ball, Kane rocks back and taps it in front of him.

Chris Woakes will bowl from the other end.

Stuart Broad to Ross Taylor. Taylor gets behind the ball and pushes it on the off side.

Ross Taylor strides in next to bat.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. OUT! A wicket for England in the very first over after Dinner! The English muffins have helped England get the better of Latham. 400 Test wickets for Stuart Broad and he is all pumped up. Bowls this full on middle, Latham tries flicking this through mid-wicket but hits it uppishly a little square to the man in a catching position there. Chris Woakes, the fielder, takes a regulation catch with no fuss. Latham was disappointed with himself as soon as he played that shot. A big wicket for England as the 84-run stand was looking very promising. New Zealand are 34 ahead.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Kane is continuing from where he left. Pitched up and Kane drives it through covers. It won't go all the way but enough for them to come back for the third.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Drifts one into Latham's pads, he misses his flick, the balls hits his pads and rolls towards square leg as they steal a leg bye.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham chooses to leave it alone.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Starts off by bowling one at a back of a length, Latham rocks back and taps it in front of him.

The players are done with their dinner and come out once more. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham will look to continue to pile on the runs while Stuart Broad will bowl the first over of this session. Three slips and a gully in place.

... Day 1, Session 3 ...

It will be interesting to see what their plans are post dinner. The reason being that lights will be on and Anderson and Broad might just get the ball to talk. They will look to get these two out as quickly as possible and then run through the New Zealand menu. An interesting session awaits us. Join us then.

Post drinks, Williamson and Latham didn't allow Moeen Ali to settle down and hit him for few runs. The duo then became more confident and it stroked its way to a fifty-run partnership which ensured that they get a lead, which now stands at 30. Skipper, Kane Williamson made a watchful half-century and is looking good for more. England didn't bowl that bad but just couldn't get more than a wicket.

What a session it has been for the hosts! They are slowly and steadily moving ahead in this first day's play. After being dropped early in his innings, Raval didn't haunt England as he fell to Anderson for just 3. The hosts then played with caution post that and were happy to see what the pitch has to offer. They didn't try and go after every ball outside off and were more than satisfied to play textbook Test cricket.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. On a length on the pads, worked away round the corner for nothing. With that, it's time for players to have SUPPER!

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Overton bends his back and bangs it short on the stumps, Williamson watches it and crouches low to let it pass.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Impeccable. Such shots in the spot make you realize that batting is an art as much as it is a skill. This is pitched right up to the batsman, Williamson just push-drives it down the ground. Mid off puts a futile dive to his right and a boundary results. The lead is now worth 30.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full and angling in around middle and leg, Kane is too good to miss out. He flicks it through mid-wicket and before deep square leg gets around to mop it up, a couple is taken.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full on off, driven back to the bowler.

England have taken the ball yet again to the umpire. This time the rings aren't used to check it.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. On a length around off, Latham pushes it towards cover-point for a single.

A longish discussion ensues between Overton and Root. A short leg in place now.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Flatter on the stumps, KW gets behind it and blocks.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Around off, lunged and blocked.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Once again Kane comes down the track but this time just bunts it.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Williamson gets down the track to this one, somehow pushes this one through covers. Gets a brace as a result.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. This one is defended off the front foot with a prod.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated outside off, it spins in a touch. Kane goes back and slaps it towards point.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. On the pads, nudged away to fine leg for one.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. This ball is defended off the back foot towards the bowler.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. FOUR! 27th Test fifty for Kane Williamson! Not the best way to get there but he'll take it nonetheless. This is full around off, Williamson looks to push it down the ground. But the ball takes the outside edge and flies past second slip. Wasn't too far from the man. It then goes away to the fence behind. This is a really good hand from the skipper, leading from the front. New Zealand's lead at this juncture is 20, while the partnership is worth 70.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Full and angling in, flicked straight to mid-wicket.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. This one is pushed towards covers from the crease.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Delivered on a length outside off, Kane goes back and glides it towards point.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Tom goes back to this one and finds the cover fielder with the push.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Quicker outside off, pushed towards covers.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Flighted ball on the stumps, defended by coming down the track.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Now Williamson gets forward and wrists it towards mid on for a single. The stand moves to 66.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Latham turns this one towards wide mid on for a single.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Tossed up around off, defended with a lunge.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Williamson is going from strength to strength. This is on a back of a length outside off, Williamson hops a touch and slaps it past backward point for a boundary. He is 5 shy of his personal fifty, even as New Zealand are 14 ahead now.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Short in length, pulled away through square leg for one.

Issue with the ball. England have taken it to the umpire. He checks it with the help of the 8-shaped gauge and deems it fit to continue.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Punched off the back foot towards the man at covers.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Outside off, defended off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Outside off on a fuller length, Latham doesn't bother playing at that.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Hurled on a length, punched off the back foot towards covers.

Another spell for Craig Overton now.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Slower through the air, defended off the front foot by KW.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Served on the stumps, blocked from the crease.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated on the stumps, defended with a prod.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Flatter on the pads, worked away round the corner for one.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Latham gets down the track but defends this one.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Tossed up on the stumps, Tom lunges and blocks.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, Kane jumps and pushes it towards the bowler.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. FOUR! This one is even better. Overpitched outside off, Kane gets a stride out and unfurls yet another lovely cover drive. Beats the man diving at that position and he moves on to 41 with the boundary.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full on length, driven down the ground for nothing.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Wow! Glorious! This is hurled outside off on a length, Williamson hops a bit and punches it to the off side. Finds the gap between mid off and covers and gets a boundary.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. SCORES LEVEL! Ali floats it from round the stumps, Williamson wrists it towards wide mid on for a single. It also raises the 50-run stand between him and Latham. Nice hand from the skipper here.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Pushed towards mid on for a single.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Flatter and quicker outside off, Latham goes back and cuts it past backward point for a brace.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Tossed up on middle, Tom slinks down the track and keeps it out.

A leg slip in place now.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Floated on the stumps, defended with a lunge forward.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. On a length, whipped away towards mid-wicket. A maiden to begin this spell for Jimmy.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Defended with the full face of the bat from the crease.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Outside off on a fuller length, hit towards mid off.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Hurled on a length outside off, Kane hops a touch and pushes it towards covers for nothing.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Punched off the back foot to the off side.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Full and outside off, Williamson defends this one with a lunge. The ball goes off the outer edge towards gully.

James Anderson is brought back for another spell.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Latham gets his front foot ahead and defends this one with the full face. A maiden for Ali now.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Served on the stumps, Tom gets down the track but finds mid on with the flick.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Quicker on the stumps, Tom blocks.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Floated up around off, defended with a lunge.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Flatter outside off, Tom goes back and slaps it towards covers.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. The batsman defends it from within the crease.

Nice point. Simon Doull on air analyses Stuart Broad's action. He observes that as he releases the ball, his head and hence his body, fall away to the other side. What it also does, is the fingers are on the side of the ball then and not on the middle. This, according to Doull, makes Broad lose his zip.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full on the stumps, driven back down the ground. Mid on intercepts it.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, Kane lets it come to the bat before giving it direction towards point.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, pushed defensively towards covers.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On the pads, clipped to mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Angling in on a length, Williamson gets inside the line and flicks it away through square leg for a couple. The trail gets down to 4 now.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. This one is stonewalled with a straight bat face.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Flighted ball on the stumps, Latham gets down the track and whips it away through mid-wicket for a brace.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Nicely flighted, Tom pushes it towards mid on.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Latham lunges and blocks it off the front foot.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Slight confusion yet again! Tossed up delivery around off and middle, Latham gets low and sweeps it past short leg. He quickly comes down in search of a run, without having a look at his partner. Realises his folly and makes it back on time.

Moeen Ali to Tom Latham. Floated outside off, pushed towards covers for nothing.

Meanwhile, Moeen Ali gets a change of ends. Will that change his fortunes?

A quick change of gloves for Kane Williamson. He also has a quick sip.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. This delivery is defended towards point for nothing.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Full outside off, defended off the front foot back towards the bowler.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Punched off the back foot towards covers.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On a length outside off, Kane lets it go.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. FOUR! BEAUTIFUL. Slightly overpitched outside off, Williamson gets his stride out and takes out the cover drive. The placement and the timing is enough to take it to the fence. This also brings up the 50 runs for the Kiwis.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On a length around off, punched off the back foot towards covers.

Stuart Broad is brought back for another spell. In terms of success, New Zealand will have ticked yet another box as they have attacked Ali to force him out of the attack.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On a length around off, defended down the ground for nothing. A harmless maiden from Woakes.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full on the stumps, defended with a straight bat back towards the bowler.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. On a length down the leg side, Tom has a go but misses.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full outside off, Latham lets it be.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Bouncer on the stumps, Latham ducks under it.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full on off, driven to mid off.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Deft and clever. Served in line of the stumps, Williamson plays the paddle just past the left of the keeper. The ball has enough to run away to the fence behind.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Tossed up outside off, Kane prods forward in defense.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated on the pads worked away round the corner for nothing.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Flatter on off, punched towards covers. There was a slight confusion as Kane started running but both of them were ball-watching. In the end, the run is denied at the right time.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated around off, defended off the front foot to the off side.

Long on in place, a bit wider. Also a silly mid on is positioned.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, pushed towards gully for one.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Another appeal! My colleagues here spot the inside edge but perhaps Woakes doesn't. He delivers this on a length, Williamson looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. A prolonged appeal from Chris is turned down. Replay shows why.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Nice shot. Seeing the full ball, Tom gets forward and pushes it through covers for a single.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full on the stumps, defended with a lunge.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Fuller ball angling away, Latham gets forward and blocks.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Lovely, lovely stroke! Flighted delivery yet again, Williamson decides to put his dancing shoes on again. Gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it straight over the bowler's head for a boundary. Safest spot, 10 runs off the over.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Quicker on the stumps, kept out with a forward defense.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. SIX! Wow, that came out of nowhere! Tossed up delivery around off, Williamson gets down the track in a flash. Makes nice contact as he hits this one high over long on for half a dozen.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Fuller on the stumps, hit back towards the bowler.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Floated up around middle, Kane comes down the track and blocks.

Moeen Ali to Kane Williamson. Ali begins with a quicker flatter ball on the stumps, Williamson goes back and works it away to the on side.

The bearded Moeen Ali is brought into the attack. He didn't have the best of times with the ball in the Ashes. Will he do well here?

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Length ball around off, blocked from the crease.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Full on off, defended off the front foot.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. NOT OUT! England lose a review and Tom Latham survives. Full on the pads, Latham misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to the off side. England appeal big time and aren't happy about not getting the nod. They have a small chat and opt for DRS. There is no inside edge and when the Ball Tracker comes into play, it is seen that the ball pitches outside leg.

Huge appeal for LBW against Tom Latham. England haven't got the umpire's nod. They have a quick chat and take it upstairs. Looks to be pitching outside leg on the first look...

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Hurled outside off, left alone.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Nicely done. On a length outside off, Kane hangs back, hops a touch and punches it through backward point. Gets three for the effort.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. On a length around off and middle, Williamson fails to tuck it away and wears it high on the thigh pad.

Drinks have been taken. New Zealand after losing an early wicket, are being patient and not playing too many attacking strokes.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Latham punches the ball on the offside for a dot.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. On the pads this time, Kane works it towards square leg and picks up a run.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Length around off, Williamson taps it on the off side.

Craig Overton to Kane Williamson. Easily done by Williamson, back of a length again, Kane gets behind the ball and works it to square leg for a couple.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham shuffles in his crease and works it to deep square leg for one.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Defended off the back foot by Latham.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Back of a length, Tom tucks it away to the leg for one.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Pitched up, Latham drives this towards mid off for a dot.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Latham gets behind the ball and defends it.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Chris Woakes to Tom Latham. Outside off now, Latham lets it be.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. A run after 30 deliveries. A cheer from the crowd as well, a gentle push towards point gets Kane a single.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Five maidens in a row now. Length on middle, Latham whips this to the square leg fielder.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Shortish length delivery, Latham defends it off his back foot.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Latham blocks this with a straight bat.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham looks to put bat on ball but fails.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads of Tom.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham defends this off his back foot.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Slightly fuller in length, Williamson gets low and blocks it. Four maidens on the trot now.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Stifled appeal from the players but to no avail. Back of a length ball, hurried onto Williamson and hits him high on the knee roll. The players appeal unsuccessfully. Root from the slip cordon asks Woakes about the review, but he is seen telling that it could be sliding down leg.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Kane plants his foot and plays this on the ground.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Watchful batting from the Kiwis as the skipper defends this one too.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Kane leaves it alone.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Kane shows the full face of the bat and blocks this.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back-to-back maidens for Overton. Latham leaves this ball outside the off stump.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length, Latham rocks back and punches it on the off for nothing.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Outside that off pole, Latham gets behind it and plays it to mid off.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Around off, Tom shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Drags his length back, Latham ducks under it.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Pitched up, Latham leans and drives this for the mid off fielder to collect.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson leaves it alone.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Too wide for Kane to play at it.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Williamson lets Jonny take this.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Length in line of the stumps, Williamson plays it to mid off along the turf.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Kane reaches for it and guides this to the short third man fielder.

Chris Woakes to Kane Williamson. Around off on a back of a length, Williamson does well to defend it.

Chris Woakes is introduced to the bowling crease.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham defends this off his back foot.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Tom lets this ball go outside his off stump.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Latham defends this off his front foot.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham hops and blocks it.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham goes after this it but misses his cut.

Craig Overton to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham has been struck on his thigh pad as he misses his flick.

Craig Overton is brought into the attack.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. FOUR! Perfect cover drive from the skipper. Pitched up around off, Kane leans forward and crisply drives it past the cover fielder for a boundary.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Williamson shoulders arms to let that one through.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Kane gets forward and taps it on off.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Defended off the back foot by KW.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Around off, Williamson opens the bat face and plays it along the turf.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. On middle, Kane plays this along the turf.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Length on middle, Latham blocks it.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Tom lets the ball go outside his off stump.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. FOUR! Even better this time! Full of authority. Anderson pitches it up again, Latham drives it superbly through covers for back-to-back boundaries.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. FOUR! Overpitched and Latham quickly gets bat to it and eases it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. The ball has taken the inside edge of Latham's bat and thudded into his pads.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham lets the keeper collect it.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. In line of the stumps, Kane covers his stumps and defends it.

Stuart Broad to Kane Williamson. Outside off, Kane plays and misses.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Played with soft hands to the off side and gets to the other end.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham looks to tuck it around the corner but the ball hits him on the thigh pad.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Around off, Latham defends this.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Ends the over by letting the ball go outside his off stump. Wicket-maiden for Anderson.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. In line of the stumps, Williamson blocks it with a straight bat.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Kane shoulders arms to let that one through.

James Anderson to Kane Williamson. Williamson gets behind the ball and watchfully defends it.

The skipper, Kane Williamson walks in next.

James Anderson to Jeet Raval. OUT! Raval has to depart. The dropped catch doesn't haunt the English much. Anderson strikes to the delight of his teammates. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Raval tries to defend it from the crease but gets an healthy edge on it. The ball goes towards the keeper and Bairstow takes the easiest of catches. They start their celebrations and up goes the umpire's finger.

James Anderson to Jeet Raval. Raval has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Latham flicks this ball off his pads.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Good running. Back of a length delivery, Raval taps this towards covers and quickly gets to the other end.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Back of a length ball, Jeet is tentative and the ball almost kisses his outside edge.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. On middle, Raval gets behind the ball this time and taps it in front of him.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Not this time! Back of a length ball around off, Jeet looks to poke at it and gets beaten.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. New Zealand are happy to let the balls go outside their off stump, unlike England. Raval leaves this one too, outside off.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Outside off, Tom cuts it to point.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Tom lets this ball go outside this off pole.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Back of a length ball, Latham rocks back and plays it with soft hands.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Fifth stump line, Latham doesn't bother playing at it.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Latham taps this beside the bowler and decides to take a quick run. Raval rightly sends him back.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Outside off, left alone.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Serves this on middle and leg, Raval hits this for the mid-wicket fielder to collect.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. In line of the stumps, Raval defends this with a straight bat.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Jeet chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Around off, Raval looks to flirt at it but gets beaten.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Pitched up, Raval drives this to mid off.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Around off, Raval watchfully defends this.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Defended off the front foot by Latham presenting the full face of the bat.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, Latham gets an inside edge onto his pads trying to flick it away.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Length ball on off, Tom gets behind it and sees it off.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Latham defends it from within the crease.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Full on middle, Latham drives it to mid off.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. FOUR! Edged and in the gap. Outside off on a driving length, Latham flashes hard at it. The ball goes off the outside edge and flies between gully and third slip for a boundary.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Length around off, Raval gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Pitched up, Raval hits it to mid on.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. DROPPED! Poor Broad. This time he gets the outside edge but Root has put it down. Darts this on leg, the ball angles away from Raval who tries to flick it. He gets a thick edge to it and it flies towards the slip cordon. The skipper, at second slip, didn't commit to it as he sees a diving Malan from third slip. Dawid doesn't get his hand to it and the ball pops out of Joe's hands. Raval gets a life, something that England wouldn't have wanted.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Beaten! That almost got the outside edge. Broad serves this around off, Raval tries poking at it but misses.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Better from Broad in this over. Bowling on that off pole and making the batsman think. Around off again, Raval watches it go through.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Raval lets this ball go to the keeper.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Latham defends this on his back foot.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Around off, Tom shoulders arms to this one.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Jaffa! Length ball angling away, forces Latham to play at it. He does so and the ball just passes his outside edge.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Outside off, Latham tries to guide this past the cordon but gives it on the bounce to the third slip fielder.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. On that fourth stump line, a good leave by Tom.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Length, around off, Latham is solid in his defense.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Fuller in length, Tom eases this through mid-wicket and moves to the other end.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. Strange line from Broad, all of his four balls have been on that leg stump line. Latham, works this to the square leg fielder.

Stuart Broad to Tom Latham. On middle and leg, Latham plays this towards mid-wicket.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. On the pads again, this time Raval flicks it in the gap and will get one.

Stuart Broad to Jeet Raval. Broad starts by bowling one on the pads, Raval flicks it to square leg.

Stuart Broad will bowl from the other end.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Latham shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Length around off, Tom Blocks this covering his stumps.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Length in line of the stumps, Latham blocks it.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. The ball is down the leg side but Latham still goes after it and misses his flick.

James Anderson to Tom Latham. Bowls this outside off, Latham points his bat skywards and leaves it alone.

James Anderson to Jeet Raval. Risky run first up! This is on a fullish length around off, Raval taps it towards covers and sets off. Latham responds. The fielder from covers gets to the ball and fires an underarm throw at the striker's end but misses even as Latham was diving to make it in. Could have been catastrophic, had he hit. Raval and New Zealand are underway.