Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter & Timothy Abraham

  1. Here's how WinViz has us at the end of day two.

    It was 27-21-52 in New Zealand's favour at 12:13 this afternoon, shortly after Ben Stokes' two wickets reduced the tourists to 393-6.

    WinViz gives England 35% chance of victory, New Zealand 20% and the draw 45%CricViz

  2. Duckett chops on a delivery from Smith to go for 113

    Here's how Ben Duckett's century-making innings came to an end.

    An unexpected end when he looked set to bat deep into tomorrow.

  3. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England have just probed away at New Zealand, who for me didn't quite have the oomf in their batting. They weren't really trying to put the England bowlers under any pressure. A tremendous day for England.

  4. 'Played my natural game'

    England batter Ben Duckett, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a bit of journey since last summer and you can see making a century on my home ground means a lot to me. I was quite emotional and tried to take it all in. With the heat I tried to start again, and a shame to get out but I'd have taken that at the start.

    "I've really felt it [a century] has been coming. I didn't go to the IPL which isn't new news but spent a lot of time here working on my game with Peter Moores and playing in the County Championship. It's not gone my way in the first few Tests but the age I am now I believe in my game and thought a score was round the corner.

    "I nicked off on eight and when that went down I then thought maybe it was my day. I have been working extremely hard in the last few months.

    "It's a good pitch to bat on. I didn't have much time to think about that. I knew there would be boundary options and how quickly you can score here. I didn't want to go into my shell and look for a score so just played my natural game."

    On attacking Mitchell Santner: "His role is to hold an end and I wanted to put him under pressure so they go back to the seam bowlers. I didn't have a game plan going it, but just trusted my game. I was at peace if I top edged a sweep."

  5. 'Very entertaining century' - best shots from Duckett's 113

    Ben Duckett was the star of the day, bringing up a century on his home ground at quicker than a run a ball.

    Here's the best shots of his innings.

  6. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    England are right back in this game and they deserve it. They really put New Zealand under pressure with the ball earlier.

  7. Close - Eng 223-2

    Bethell 74, Root 21

    One Joe Root single to point, and that's the day.

    Very much England's day.

  8. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    Jacob Bethell doesn't try to overhit it. It's that confidence knowing his ability to play that shot so well.

  9. Eng 222-2

    Lovely shot.

    Jacob Bethell drives Will O'Rourke through the covers for four - his ninth four of the innings, accounting for 36 of his 74 runs.

    Zak Foulkes is going to bowl the final over of the day.

  10. Sir Alastair Cook
    Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    New Zealand have had a really poor day today, from the position of strength they were in yesterday compared to where they are now.

  11. Eng 217-2

    A boundary, the first since the 37th over, as Joe Root finds a gap through the covers and the ball dribbles to the ropes.

    It feels like that should have been chased down before the ball reached the boundary, but it's been a long hot day for New Zealand.

    One more single off the Zak Foulkes over - he's bowled tidily since being introduced, conceding seven runs from three overs.

  12. Eng 212-2

    Another maiden, Will O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell.

    That's the third in five overs.

  13. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    That's the first time Jacob Bethell's looked a bit twitchy.

  14. Eng 212-2

    Jacob Bethell takes a bit of a swing at a Zak Foulkes delivery - the ball beats the bat and is well-collected behind the stumps.

    New Zealand lost wickets before the close yesterday, England will want to avoid that scenario tonight.

  15. Eng 210-2

    After 15 balls without a run, Joe Root gets England going again with a single through backward square.

    A couple more runs finish the over.

  16. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    England need to knuckle down and get a couple of batters making genuine 'big' scores. Lots of time so forget Bazball and play Test cricket.

    Andree, Bird

    England still need at least one other player to make a big century.

    Peter, London

    I find it incredible that Sir Alastair Cook can’t imagine New Zealand possibly winning. We are still 200+ runs behind which far more than many of the recent batting collapses we are famous for. The pitch is perfect for batting and the attack is weakened, but it’s still England batting.

  17. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    This is a nice start from Zak Foulkes.

  18. Eng 207-2

    Back-to-back maidens now as Zak Foulkes prevents Jacob Bethell scoring from his opening six deliveries.

    Will O'Rourke is going to take the next over, with New Zealand hunting wickets in the final half hour.

  19. Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    England's run rate was 5.84 before Ben Duckett's dismissal. Since then, they are scoring at 3.87 runs per over.

  20. Eng 207-2

    Nathan Smith tightens it back up, bowling a maiden to Joe Root.

    Concussion sub Zak Foulkes is going to come on to bowl the next over, after being introduced for Blair Tickner during this session.