England collapse leaves New Zealand in charge of second Test as crowds return to Edgbaston

• England vs New Zealand, second Test full scoreboard

• England lose flurry of wickets after lunch as tourists wreak havoc with swinging ball

• Dan Lawrence and Mark Wood give hosts hope as raucous crowd returns to Test match in England

• England produce another naive batting performance in front of raucous crowd

The beer snakes started forming just after lunch and the Hollies Stand was in full voice by tea as Edgbaston boisterously welcomed back Test cricket and gave England a haven from their problems.

There were even chants of “Here’s to you Ollie Robinson” which was sort of apt given Paul Simon had in mind a bat and ball and asked where Joe DiMaggio had gone.

Robinson is suspended but his presence hung over England as they lined up for their moment of unity. They were worried about the crowd’s reaction after the footballers were booed for taking the knee and there was relief, as well as emotion, on their faces when they heard loud cheers and enthusiastic applause. Everyone was smiling and just glad to be at the cricket. There was also sympathy at recognising cricketers trying to do the right thing and inadvertently being caught up in culture wars they don’t understand.

The crowd chanted Rory Burns’s name for most of the day, a reflection of his nicely compiled 81 but, like a few others, he threw away his wicket with a poor shot as New Zealand wrestled control of the Test; England 258 for seven by the close. New Zealand made six changes, picking a third string team minus players of the calibre of Kane Williamson, BJ Watling, who hurt his back, and Tim Southee. To have a classy bowler like Trent Boult to come in shows their strength in depth and his two for 66 was a fine effort for a bowler so short on match practice. England’s familiar batting problems emerged and they did not capitalise on a solid start on a good pitch. Dan Lawrence’s unbeaten 67 made sure England are not out of it but New Zealand enjoyed the better day.

Burns’ technique was in sync, the moving parts working in the right order showing the benefit of a decent chunk of county cricket. He left well, until he got himself out, and played more shots on the off side than during his Lord’s century. He knows what he does well and does not deviate, a plan that worked well for Sir Alastair Cook. Burns built a good partnership with Dom Sibley, the openers seeing England to lunch on 67 for nought with some unfussy batting while always looking more positive than in the first Test. Sibley even played two cover drives for four in the same over.

It all changed in the second session, however. New Zealand took four for 85 in 27 overs to flip momentum as England’s young batsmen could not help themselves.

Sibley is an awkward starter and was out soon after lunch edging Matt Henry behind. Zak Crawley is facing the first crisis of his career and it is how young players respond to adversity that can decide their sustainability at Test level. Since his golden innings of 267, which led Ted Dexter to say he is the best "newcomer I've ever seen" and compare him to right-handed Graeme Pollock, he has slumped badly with 106 runs in 11 innings including nine single figure scores. He was too keen to take the fight to spinners on difficult pitches in Asia which put pressure on him going into this summer. It now as though he does not trust his defence to look after him and is chasing shots. New Zealand know this and the England man was very late on an inswinger from Neil Wagner who slanted the next ball across him outside off stump, which Crawley dropped his bat on edging to third slip.

Joe Root was cheered to the wicket, but was soon walking back in silence. He edged a four between third slip and gully before a fuller-length ball from Henry swung late and took the edge.

Suddenly it was 85 for three, England’s middle order falling in on itself like one of those beer snakes. Ollie Pope led a counter attack but frustrated once more, getting out playing a cut to Ajaz Patel’s gentle left-arm spin just when he was starting to find his feet. Ajaz turned the ball before tea on day one, firing up doubts about England’s decision to go with pace and leave out Jack Leach.

Boult grew into the day as it wore on, not a surprise for a fine bowler who had not used a red ball since January. His length drew Burns into dabbling at a wider ball that was well held low down at second slip by Tom Latham. Burns knew he had let a golden chance slip.

Pity poor James Bracey. He has stewed for a week on a duck in his debut innings, the mental challenge of Test cricket played out in his mind, sleep no doubt difficult. He was slumped over, hands on his knees, looking totally deflated when he chased a wide ball and edged his first ball to third slip. Two noughts in two innings; Bracey will have to put it out of his mind and concentrate hard when he keeps on a ground where the ball has swung late so far. It is going to be a tough time before his next chance to bat.

Lawrence has plenty of self-confidence, in a good way, and seems able to forget a bad shot or near miss and concentrate on the next ball. He looks awkward starting against pace, ending in some odd positions until his movements come together and a Boult inswinger nearly had him lbw for nought, Hawkeye upholding the not out decision.

Lawrence looked more comfortable after the interval playing his part in an engrossing final session. He unfurled some free flowing drives off Neil Wagner and hit Boult back down the ground, the ball flying off the middle, when it was overpitched. Olly Stone is too high at no 8 but hung around for a useful 20 off 52 balls, giving Lawrence some solid support. Mark Wood worked hard too and Lawrence starts Friday morning with the chance to stamp down a place in the team for the longer term.

As it happened.

05:43 PM

Rory Burns talks to Sky Sports

On the day’s play…

On New Zealand’s post-lunch performance…

On scoring 81 and being in the runs once again…

On plans for tomorrow…

05:33 PM

A quick word on

Dan Lawrence. He started off nervously but once he played that elegant back foot drive off Patel early on he grew in confidence and is on 67 not out at stumps.

05:28 PM

OVER 90: ENG 258/7 (Lawrence 67 Wood 16)

Wood does what he has to do - plays out a maiden and that’s it for day one.

What a day it’s been - a packed crowd is back. They’ve been in fine voice (if you like their song choices) all day and are still belting out tunes.

Overall the day just belongs to New Zealand. England won the toss and elected to bat on what looks like a belter of a pitch. Familiar failings gave the tourists seven wickets before Lawrence and Wood saw the hosts through to the close in stylish and solid fashion.

05:23 PM

OVER 89: ENG 258/7 (Lawrence 67 Wood 16)

Whatever Wood can do so can Lawrence (as it should be, he being the actual batsman…) the Essex batter plays a lovely drive down the ground past Boult showing the makers’ name. Textbook. Those are the only runs off that over.

05:20 PM

OVER 88: ENG 254/7 (Lawrence 63 Wood 16)

Wood plays a nice, stylish drive as Henry offers a bit of width but Conway - the man of the first Test - stops it in the covers. Wood then tries a baseball-type shot that is stopped at mid-on - it looks at though he’s freeing up his arms. The 250 is brought up with a Wood two before a brilliant on drive for four finishes the over. He's doing well out there and looks like he's enjoying himself.

05:16 PM

OVER 87: ENG 248/7 (Lawrence 63 Wood 10)

Boult beats the bat and it goes through to Blundell behind the stumps. It’s given out BUT Wood reviews straight away. It’s given not out as the ball didn’t hit the bat, it hit the pad, and it’s also not given out lbw. Just a Wood single off the over - he’s been in for 46 balls now and is batting solidly.

05:10 PM

OVER 86: ENG 247/7 (Lawrence 63 Wood 9)

Henry pitches one up first delivery of the over, it hits Wood’s pad and the Kiwi is very keen on the umpire giving it out. He doesn’t and the bowler convinces his team-mates to review the decision. They do (just in time) and it’s clear on seeing the first replay that there was bat involved. Wood survives. Another ball nearly creeps through bat and pad two balls later, before a play and miss from the Durham fast bowler. Wood scampers through for a single off the last delivery. Four overs remaining.

05:06 PM

OVER 85: ENG 246/7 (Lawrence 63 Wood 8)

Lawrence gets away with one as he tries to pull a Boult short ball. He only succeeds on getting his gloves on it and it goes perilously close to the stumps. He makes amends with that howler with a glorious off drive that pierces the field. The last ball of the over then sees Lawrence whip the ball for four, he hit that well and follows through extravagantly.

05:01 PM

OVER 84: ENG 238/7 (Lawrence 55 Wood 8)

Henry finds Wood’s outside edge, it doesn’t carry to third slip - the England batsmen are doing well (so far) against this new ball, they’re leaving what they can and getting in behind the ones on the stumps.

04:58 PM

Late is great (so far)

Dan Lawrence has played the seam bowlers incredibly late today. His average interception point is 1.68m from the stumps - the lowest, and therefore latest, of any of the England batsmen.#ENGvNZ

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 10, 2021

04:57 PM

OVER 83: ENG 235/7 (Lawrence 54 Wood 7)

Boult swings one into Lawrence and the England man plays with a full face of the bat, running the ball leg side for a single. The New Zealand bowler then has five balls at Wood but he cannot induce a false stroke in the lower-order batsman.

04:53 PM

OVER 82: ENG 234/7 (Lawrence 53 Wood 7)

Henry returns looking to add to his two wickets so far today. The singing in the Hollies Stand has gone up a decibel or two. The Kiwi seamer beats Wood with a beauty that squares the England man up - it did too much and can’t find the edge. It’s a maiden with eight overs left in the day. The sun is out and the pitch looks good for batting. Whatever score England can reach it will be too few and be well under par...

04:49 PM

OVER 81: ENG 234/7 (Lawrence 53 Wood 7)

As expected New Zealand take the new ball - they’re not messing around, they want to get England all out before stumps. The very first ball of the Boult over wraps Lawrence on his pads as the batsman shuffles across his stumps. Boult lets out a half-hearted appeal, the umpire isn’t interested as it was going well over the stumps. Then Lawrence doesn’t time an on drive that well but gets three runs as the harder ball races off his bat. Wood edges one to third slip but it doesn’t carry.

04:44 PM

OVER 80: ENG 230/7 (Lawrence 50 Wood 6)

Lawrence pushes Patel down the ground first ball of the over to being up his third Test 50 - he’s played well since a nervous start and has got better as the innings has gone on. That’s the only run off another quick over. And the new ball is available.

04:42 PM

OVER 79: ENG 229/7 (Lawrence 49 Wood 6)

Mitchell is on for what will most likely be for the lesser-seen one-over spell (it’s unlikely he’ll take the new ball, that will probably go to Boult and Henry). Lawrence moves to 49 with a nudge in the gully area. Wood blocks the rest of the over. The crowd, by now very well oiled, remains in good voice.

04:38 PM

OVER 78: ENG 228/7 (Lawrence 48 Wood 6)

Wood avoids any temptation to try and whack Patel down the ground. He then cuts uppishly but while the ball loops in the air it is safe and they run two. They’re the only runs off the over. The new ball is now 12 balls away.

04:35 PM

OVER 77: ENG 226/7 (Lawrence 48 Wood 4)

Woods gets three off the first five balls of that Wagner over. And New Zealand keep the new batsman on strike for the next over as Lawrence defends the last ball.

04:32 PM

OVER 76: ENG 223/7 (Lawrence 48 Wood 1)

The finger spinner has got two wickets on the first day of a Test taking place on a good wicket. I’d suggest those are bonus, unexpected scalps, especially with the latest oe coming just four overs before New Zealand can take the new ball. Wood gets off the mark with a push off the backfoot on the offside.

04:28 PM

Wicket!!

Stone lbw b Patel 20

Patel goes around the wicket and gets one to pitch in line and turn into Stone's pad. The umpire, Richard Illingworth, doesn't hesitate to raise his finger. The England pair decide to review (they do still have three up their sleeves) but DRS shows that the ball pitched in line, the impact was in line and that it would have gone on to hit the stumps. England are now seven down...

FOW 222/7

04:25 PM

OVER 75: ENG 222/6 (Lawrence 48 Stone 20)

Lawrence drives Wagner and a misfield at mid-off allows the ball to race to the boundary - that won’t help Wagner’s mood but will help Lawrence’s as he moves to 44. There’s something about the ball the Kiwis aren’t happy with - the umpires get out their ball contraption and as it won’t pass through get a new ball. Doubt it is exactly 74 overs old but so long as it doesn’t swing England won’t care. The second delivery with the new (old) ball finds Lawrence’s inside edge which takes the ball back onto the batsman’s pads and luckily, for him, not the stumps. Next up there is a sweetly timed drive from the Essex batsman which flies to the boundary, delightful to watch.

04:19 PM

Fair to say the fans are enjoying their return to Edgbaston

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04:16 PM

OVER 74: ENG 214/6 (Lawrence 40 Stone 20)

Stone is watchful throughout a Patel maiden and it’s time for drinks.

04:13 PM

OVER 73: ENG 214/6 (Lawrence 40 Stone 20)

Thanks, Rob. So can England keep New Zealand out until close of play - you’d be surprised if they did considering what’s gone on since lunch and the fact the tourists are already into England’s long tail. No sooner than I write that than Stone plays an elegant-looking cut off a short Wagner delivery, he gets three runs for his trouble.

04:09 PM

OVER 72: ENG 211/6 (Lawrence 40 Stone 17)

Spin. Patel comes round the wicket to Lawrence who gloves a hard chance through to Blundell as he tried to cut the second ball. They either stick or they don't. After four defensives, Lawrence breaks free with a little flick fine for four.

Greg Wilcox will see you to the close. Bye!

04:06 PM

OVER 71: ENG 207/6 (Lawrence 36 Stone 17)

Stone drives at another fuller one from Wagner, a thick edge diverting it past gully for four and eliciting a huge cheer as the scoreboard passes 200. Wagner comes back with a scrambled seam and Stone plays and misses. Wagner's gaze darkens when Stone edges another four past gully to end the over.

04:02 PM

OVER 70: ENG 199/6 (Lawrence 36 Stone 6)

Swing, too, for Mitchell but at his pace it's none too threatening. Stone drives a full, wide one through the covers for three, defends the next and then flicks an in-ducker off middle to short mid-on.

03:58 PM

OVER 69: ENG 196/6 (Lawrence 36 Stone 6)

Stone whips an inswinger for a single fine and Lawrence steps across to work two more, this time in front of square. Risky shot, painting a bullseye on your left knee, but effective if, of course, you hot it. Wagner would be happy to see him do it again at the end of the over but without penetrating the infield.

03:54 PM

OVER 68: ENG 193/6 (Lawrence 34 Stone 5)

And that's another maiden, Mitchell's second. Craig Overton and Haseeb Hameed jog on to bring drinks on for the batsmen. Bumble is perplexed. 'Get on with the game,' he rightly says.

03:50 PM

OVER 67: ENG 193/6 (Lawrence 34 Stone 5)

Maiden for Wagner to Stone who leaves three sagely and defends the others. Wagner thinks he can pin him on the front foot but so far he has managed to get his bat down in time to defy the inswingers.

03:47 PM

OVER 66: ENG 193/6 (Lawrence 34 Stone 5)

Double change, Mitchell replaces Henry and starts with an lbw shout that was too high. Stone, one first-class fifty in a nine-year first-class career, gets off strike with an inside edge off a drive. He was aiming straight but sent it down to fine leg.

03:44 PM

OVER 65: ENG 192/6 (Lawrence 34 Stone 4)

Wagner replaces Boult and sticks to the plan of exploiting the England batsmen's tendency to square themselves up and throw their hands at wide ones, trying to drive. Wagner hangs another couple outside off and Stone follows them. A short one surprises Stone who manages to get over it and cover the bounce and he farms the strike with a leg-bye off the last delivery, an inswinger that clips the outside flap off his pad.

03:39 PM

OVER 64: ENG 191/6 (Lawrence 34 Stone 4)

Henry's half-tracker angling in to Lawrence is quickly dispatched for four with a pull that goes between keeper and fine leg for four. He follows it up with an on-drive for two, clawing it between midwicket and mid-on with a lot of bottom hand.

03:33 PM

OVER 63: ENG 185/6 (Lawrence 28 Stone 4)

Boult is getting good swing from round the wicket to the right-handers. Lawrence works one off his toes for a single, Stone drives square for two and then tucks two more off his front pad down to deep backward square.

03:29 PM

OVER 62: ENG 180/6 (Lawrence 27 Stone 0)

The three slips are standing much closer to each other and the bat for Lawrence who gets off strike with a clip off his toes for a single. Stone survives the five balls left in the over with a couple of defensives and a leave.

03:26 PM

OVER 61: ENG 179/6 (Lawrence 26 Stone 0)

Terrible judgment from Bracey, a bit like Crawley's, not enough footwork and not full enough to throw your hands at outside off-stump. He looks as though he's been punched in the solar plexus. Pretty obvious from his duck at Lord's and the one here that it's a step up too far for his technique and temperament at the moment. Stone flashes at the hat-trick ball but misses it, as he does one that he tries to drive off the back foot. England's only advance comes in leg-byes - four off Stone's pad down the legside.

03:21 PM

Wicket!!!

Bracey c Mitchell b Boult 0 Golden duck for the Gloucestershire wicketkeeper. Boult served up a swinging tempter and Bracey chased it with an angled bat, nicking off to third slip. Boult's on a hat-trick. FOW 175/6

03:19 PM

OVER 60: ENG 175/5 (Lawrence 24 Bracey 0)

Lawrence works two off his pads and cracks a cut off a filthy long hop from Henry for four. He rolled his wrists on it which, because it stuck in the pitch, meant he cuffed it in front of square.

03:18 PM

OVER 59: ENG 169/5 (Lawrence 20 Bracey 0)

The KC and the Sunshine Band tribute to Rory Burns echoes around the ground as the England opener pushes another two down the ground with a well-timed on-drive. Boult's probing over of inswingers and angle manipulation bears fruit off the last ball when he tempts Pope into a cover drive on the up and it flies off the edge. If these clouds remain tomorrow, Anderson could have a field day but unless England get at least another 100 runs, I fear this could be a three and a half day Test.

03:15 PM

Wicket!!

Burns c Latham b Boult 81 Went after a wide one and nicked off to second slip who takes a fine catch diving forward. FOW 169/5

03:11 PM

OVER 58: ENG 167/4 (Burns 79 Lawrence 20)

Henry, looking for the edge with three slips and hoping that Lawrence brings his bat down from gully, exposing the outside third of the blade. The batsman earns a streaky four when he tries to lift his bat out of the way but isn't quick enough. The ball strikes the bottom of it as he raises it and it scuttles past the slips. Henry stands and stares with hands on both hips. Another flukey four comes through third man off a thick edge. Somewhere in NSW Josh Hazlewood is licking his lips.

03:06 PM

OVER 57: ENG 159/4 (Burns 79 Lawrence 12)

Thanks, Greg. We resume with Boult bowling to Lawrence with a split field and determined to expose the Essex batsman's asymmetrical batswing by targeting the stumps. He tries the yorker first up but doesn't land it and Lawrence punches it past mid-off for a single. Burns uses the curve of the outswinger to push two wide of third slip, defends a couple then ends the over with a lovely on-driven four, just eased down the ground.

02:45 PM

Good bowling or bad batting?

New Zealand expected wickets by session:

Morning: 2.8 (0 wickets taken)
Afternoon: 1.5 (4 wickets taken)

It's not just been a case of excellent bowling from New Zealand, but more poor batting from England this afternoon.#ENGvNZ

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 10, 2021

02:43 PM

OVER 56: ENG 152/4 (Burns 73 Lawrence 11)

Lawrence gets a two and a single off Patel, before Burns nudges one off his pads for a four down to fine leg.

That’s time for tea. It’s fair to say that session belonged to New Zealand. The tourists are back in this game. They took 85/4 in those 27 overs after lunch. Big session coming up after the break.

In other news the owner of the red loafer has been reunited with his garish shoe…

Rob Bagchi returns after the 15-minute interlude and will take you through the first hour of the last session.

02:37 PM

OVER 55: ENG 145/4 (Burns 69 Lawrence 8)

The crowd are now all joining in a rendition of ‘Three Lions’ in anticipation of another tournament without a trophy for the England side (sorry, but I cannot see them winning the entire thing - especially if they top their group, which they will…). Anyway, back to the cricket…Wagner bowls several deliveries that Burns can leave well alone. He then pitches one short - the opener took the Kiwi on at Lord’s but decides this time to get out the way. The last ball of the over sees Burns angle one down to third man for four. Meanwhile someone’s red loafer has been chucked onto the pitch…the offending thrower may well have been doing the owner of said shoe a fashion favour there...

02:32 PM

OVER 54: ENG 141/4 (Burns 65 Lawrence 8)

Lawrence uses his crease to get off the strike first up - he got back and punched the ball into the off side. Burns scampers another single to mid on. Those are the only runs of that quick over.

02:29 PM

OVER 53: ENG 139/4 (Burns 64 Lawrence 7)

Wagner returns, replacing Boult. There are five dot balls before Burns leans into a fine drive for four. Wagner gave him a bit of width and the opener said ‘thanks, I’m having that’.

02:25 PM

OVER 52: ENG 135/4 (Burns 60 Lawrence 7)

Lawrence is facing Patel and always ready to be positive rather than negative I’ll take this opportunity to remind you lot that he played spin well (well, better than most his team-mates…) in India this winter. The Kiwi spinner gets two to turn and both beat the outside edge of the batsman. He then tries to bowl the arm ball but Lawrence whips it for two through mid-wicket. He then plays a glorious back foot drive for four - he rocked back and gave himself time to hit the gap. That should increase his confidence out there.

02:21 PM

OVER 51 ENG 129/4 (Burns 60 Lawrence 1)

Burns picks up a single off Boult to get Lawrence - another England batsman under pressure - on strike. First up he gets hit on the pad - it looks very close but is given not out on the pitch. The Kiwis, however, are sure it’s plumb and appeal straight away. The ball is coming into Lawrence BUT the impact is outside off-stump and the on-field decision remains. Phew for Lawrence who, regardless of the decision, looked to be in a horrible position - the bat was coming across the ball - ungainly. He gets off the mark with a punch through midwicket and can breathe again.

02:16 PM

OVER 50: ENG 127/4 (Burns 59 Lawrence 0)

The change of bowler and bringing on the spinner has worked. It was a wide ball and Pope is livid with himself. As per usual he was looking good before he fell.

02:14 PM

Wicket!!

Pope c Blundell b Patel 19 - the spinner returns and is hit for four before bowling one short. Pope goes to cut it but only manages to edge to the wicketkeeper. He doesn’t even wait for the umpire’s finger and walks off in disgust - that’s a bonus wicket for New Zealand.

FOW - 127/4

02:12 PM

OVER 49: ENG 123/3 (Burns 59 Pope 15)

Boult comes around the wicket to Pope - he pitches one up and Pope squeezes it out, getting a thick outside edge in the process. The last ball of the over Boult stays around and Pope gets a thick inside edge this time that flies down to fine leg for a single.

02:06 PM

OVER 48: ENG 121/3 (Burns 58 Pope 14)

Mitchell is getting some swing but it’s at a gentle pace and swinging from the hand. Just a Burns single from that over as the crowd continue their raucous renditions of some terrible songs.

02:03 PM

OVER 47: ENG 120/3 (Burns 57 Pope 14)

The over starts with Boult bowling to Burns - his follow-through is exceptional, he runs way down the wicket before trailing off towards cover - artistic. Burns then swivels at the crease and pulls a short ball for four - great shot which the opener was always in complete control of. Burns then clips the Kiwi pace ace for a single.

This session has calmed down since England lost three wickets in 18 minutes. Good for the heart rates of the hosts as this partnership is now worth 35.

01:58 PM

OVER 46: ENG 115/3 (Burns 52 Pope 14)

Mitchell continues with his sixth over - he’s bowling medium pace at best but without the probing line and length and guile of Colin de Grandhomme. Pope squeezes one through mid-wicket for a couple and those are the only runs off the over.

01:54 PM

OVER 45: ENG 113/3 (Burns 52 Pope 12)

Boult tests Pope out with a bouncer that the England man does well to extravagantly avoid. Pope is getting in behind the ball and defending well. There is still a bit of swing but it’s straight from the arm and Pope can and is lining the ball up. He defends another before getting a single with a drive towards extra cover.

01:50 PM

Burns is in form

In First Class cricket played in England this year, no player has passed fifty more often than Rory Burns.

Today is his ninth 50+ score in 13 innings.#ENGvNZ

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 10, 2021

01:49 PM

OVER 44: ENG 112/3 (Burns 52 Pope 11)

Burns plays a back-foot punch through the covers to bring up his 50 - he’s looking good on an easy-paced pitch which once you’re in on, you should be hard to get out (famous last words…). There’s jsut gentle swing from Mitchell and he’s not beating the bat - it’s meat and drink for top batsmen on a good pitch, such as this one.

01:42 PM

OVER 43: ENG 108/3 (Burns 49 Pope 10)

Big half hour coming up - Boult returns and having seen Henry and Wagner swing the ball around corners he’ll be licking his lips in anticipation. The first four are dealt with easily by Pope. The fifth is pitched right up there - but there’s no swing and Pope drives it straight along the ground to cover. The last again sees little swing and it’s another maiden and time for drinks.

01:38 PM

OVER 42: ENG 108/3 (Burns 49 Pope 10)

Mitchell returns, taking over Henry. He has trouble finding his radar - the first one wide of off is followed by one a foot down leg. Blundell does well to stop. There’s another one down leg - this one a bit of a pie and Burns misses out as it goes through to the wicketkeeper. The over is ended with another down leg and that is one of the worst maidens you’re likely to see.

01:34 PM

OVER 41: ENG 108/3 (Burns 49 Pope 10)

Burns and Sibley have come in for some criticism due their batting being belligerent rather than beautiful, solid rather than stylish. But for years there has been talk about England batsmen not being able to tough it out and dig in. Well, Burns is definitely able to do that and anchoring this England innings so far.

Pope, who is attractive to watch, plays a great shot off Wagner off his legs - it (again) doesn’t make the boundary BUT they are able to run four.

01:30 PM

OVER 40: ENG 102/3 (Burns 49 Pope 4)

Burns plays out three dot balls off Henry before unleashing a wonderful drive through extra cover. That brings up England’s 100. The Surrey opener looks like he has his mojo back after a torrid winter.

01:26 PM

Crawley's post double ton malaise

Zak Crawley's 2021 in Test cricket (most recent innings first):

0
2
2
9
5
53
0
5
13
9
8

Avg: 9.63 - Balls per wicket: 23.6#ENGvNZ

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 10, 2021

01:25 PM

OVER 39: ENG 98/3 (Burns 45 Pope 4)

Wagner continues his spell. He’s pushing the ball up and trying to tempt the England batsmen into a Crawley-esque waft outside off stump. Burns is looking solid, though, and isn’t going to fall for that trick (apologies in advance if that jinxes him…). The opener then takes a quick single - good stuff. In sessions such as this - when wickets are tumbling - it’s important to rotate the strike and not get bogged down against one bowler.

01:21 PM

OVER 38: ENG 97/3 (Burns 44 Pope 4)

Pope plays a delightful on drive off Henry - it’s such a good shot to salivate over when played with Pope’s elegance. This one is cut short of the boundary and he’ll get just three. Henry then bowls a bit of a pie, a full toss to Burns who hits is down the ground. Again the outfield is a bit slow and the batsman gets just three. Six from that over.

01:17 PM

OVER 37: ENG 91/3 (Burns 41 Pope 1)

Wonder what New Zealand had for lunch - spinach a la Popeye? Whatever it was I’d like some (my chicken sarnie isn’t cutting the mustard at the moment…). Pope is facing Wagner and is getting forward and meeting the ball with the full face of the bat. Pope gets a long way across and is hit on the pads last ball - Wagner appeals but it’s given as leg byes. Wagner is swinging it in to Pope and the plan seems to be to get the ball up there and trap the Surrey man lbw. Hasn’t worked this time, though.

01:13 PM

OVER 36: ENG 90/3 (Burns 41 Pope 1)

Matt Henry continues, clearly buoyed by his brace, he’s now getting good carry as Pope gets off the mark. The Kiwi bowler has been in and out of the attack but is making the most of this opportunity here and again bowls a probing a good line making Burns play every ball. It’s clear this New Zealand attack is about more than just Southee, Boult and Wagner.

It’s been 23/3 since lunch…(insert head in hands emoji here!)

01:09 PM

OVER 35: ENG 89/3 (Burns 41 Pope 0)

The crowd are still in good voice - the drink clearly making up for the flurry of England wickets. Burns gives them something else to cheer with a four through cover, playing it late and opening up the face to cope with the swing.

01:06 PM

OVER 34: ENG 85/3 (Burns 37 Pope 0)

Three wickets fall in 23 post-lunch minutes. The ball is swinging prodigiously now and Henry and Wagner are bowling beautifully under thick clouds. Root plays a very loose drive that slices off his bat in the air between gully and the slips for four then falls to a fine, tempting outswinger.

Greg Wilcox will take the afternoon session from here.

01:04 PM

Wicket!!

Root c Blundell b Henry 4 The ball after a streaky four, the captain departs, feathering an edge off an outswinger. FOW 85/3

01:01 PM

OVER 33: ENG 81/2 (Burns 37 Root 0)

Maiden from Wagner to Burns, who defends three and leaves the other three. It's time for a rendition of 'Barmy Army' for the first time since Centurion almost 18 months ago.

12:58 PM

OVER 32: ENG 81/2 (Burns 37 Root 0)

The crowd, refreshed by slaking their thirst, is making a pleasant racket after a year of silence, belting out Hey Jude (AKA Joe Root) and Please Don't Take me Home, pints aloft in right hands. Burns punches a new ball through cover for three and Root plays and misses at an outswinger from Henry that dips late on the keeper and scuttles past him for four byes.

12:53 PM

OVER 31: ENG 73/2 (Burns 33 Root 0)

Wagner is Latham's other choice for a post-lunch spell. Burns steps across to punch a single through extra-cover and Crawley, desperate to emerge from this slump, leaves two that are angled across him well alone before being beaten by one that swings back in. The slump continues though, with another shocking shot, fishing outside off at a scrambled-seam outswinger and nicking it to third slip. The one that came back in the ball before scrambled Crawley's mind.

12:51 PM

Wicket!!

Crawley c Mitchell b Wagner 0 One brings two. His concrete boots do for him again, wafting with his feet planted at a fullish outswinger. Oh dear, he looks lost now. FOW 73/2

12:48 PM

OVER 30: ENG 72/1 (Burns 33 Crawley 0)

Rory Burns starts by tucking a single off his pads. The stodgy bounce does for Sibley as he tries to leave one outside off but the ball stays low and hits him on the glove but dies a good yard before it reaches the keeper. Sibley thick edges a drive through gully for four and then leaves a couple of outswingers alone before falling to one that caught him in no man's land with his footwork.

12:44 PM

Wicket!!

Sibley c Blundell b Henry 35 Falls to the last ball of an erratic over, feathering an edge through to the keeper on the back foot as he tried to pull the bat away from the ball. FOW 72/1

12:42 PM

The players return

Sorry, I misled you about a lunch dispatch from Edgbaston. Too busy scoffing rotis, I'd wager. Matt Henry will resume after luncheon.

12:05 PM

LUNCH: ENG 67/0 (Burns 32 Sibley 31)

Good start by England, a couple of plays and misses early on against swinging deliveries from all four Kiwi seamers, but the openers have batted diligently and built a very solid platform for the strokemakers to follow. We'll be back at 1.40pm for the second session but before that we'll have a lunch dispatch from one of our correspondents at Edgbaston in the next few minutes.

12:02 PM

OVER 29: ENG 67/0 (Burns 32 Sibley 31)

Maiden from Patel to Sibley. He bowls a big inswinger, seam up, from round the wicket to the right-hander and that's lunch. England's openers have survived the first session of a home Test match for the first time since 2011.

12:00 PM

OVER 28: ENG 67/0 (Burns 32 Sibley 31)

A couple of leading edges from Burns as he tries to shovel Boult through midwicket, the first falls short of cover, the second time it squirts fine of point for two.

11:56 AM

OVER 27: ENG 65/0 (Burns 30 Sibley 31)

Just the single off Patel who rediscovers his length. Burns drives a single past mid-off.

11:52 AM

OVER 26: ENG 64/0 (Burns 29 Sibley 31)

Boult continues and starts with five dot balls from length deliveries before banging the last one in and Burns swivels to pull it for a single.

11:50 AM

OVER 25: ENG 63/0 (Burns 28 Sibley 31)

Sibley cuts a single through cover, Burns set off late but still makes his ground. The third umpire takes a look when Wagner throws down the stumps at the non-striker's after Burns hares a single to mid-on but he was easily home and then, as Patel loses his control and drags one down, Sibley plays a handsome back-foot drive through extra-cover for four.

11:46 AM

OVER 24: ENG 57/0 (Burns 27 Sibley 26)

Burns defends three comfortably off the frint foot so Boult tries to rattle him with a bouncer. The pitch is too sluggish, though, and Burns ducks beneath it. The next ball is back of a length and jags into the left-hander who plays a deft dab to run it wide of second slip for four. He cuts harder at the last ball of the over and a diving stop by gully prevents it having the same outcome.

11:43 AM

OVER 23: ENG 53/0 (Burns 23 Sibley 26)

Patel has an over at Sibley and earns the second maiden of his two-over spell, mixing up well-flighted deliveries that Sibley defends, then tries the dart but Sibley just rocks on to the back foot to drill back to the bowler.

11:38 AM

OVER 22: ENG 53/0 (Burns 23 Sibley 26)

This is England's first fifty opening stand since the victory at Chennai in the first Test. Boult replaces Mitchell, tries a bouncer to spice up his generally fuller length, but Sibley doesn't take the bait and ducks. He waits for the error and swiftly works a single off his pads when it comes.

11:33 AM

OVER 21: ENG 52/0 (Burns 23 Sibley 25)

Spin for NZ with Ajaz Patel. Left-arm orthodox, over the wicket to Burns, and he begins with a maiden. No turn but good flight and a tight line which earn him a maiden.

11:31 AM

OVER 20: ENG 52/0 (Burns 23 Sibley 25)

Fifty partnership for England as Sibley, who is a beast off his pads, is fed one on middle by Mitchell and he chastises it through deep backward square for four.

11:28 AM

OVER 19: ENG 46/0 (Burns 22 Sibley 20)

The stand-in captain, Latham, who is stepping up because Williamson has an elbow problem, almost dislocates his shoulder when diving into the advertising hoardings after giving chase to Burns' thick edge. Ouch! And four. Better stroke, Burns easing a drive with the swing through cover for three, follows and then Sibley flicks a single off middle through square leg for a single.

11:22 AM

OVER 18: ENG 38/0 (Burns 15 Sibley 19)

Mitchell, like Wagner, is trying to give the ball as much opportunity to swing as possible by going very full. His line isn't quite right, though, to the left-hander. Burns leaves two then whips the inswinger off his pads for three through square leg. Wagner makes a fine, sliding stop to save the boundary. Mitchell looks better against the right-hander, getting the ball to nibble away but at his pace - 77 mph - Sibley has enough time to withdraw his bat.

11:16 AM

OVER 17: ENG 35/0 (Burns 12 Sibley 19)

Sibley's first boundary comes with a scare, slicing a drive under point's dive for four. You can see how much he has to fight his technique to get the ball square on the offside.

Wagner invites him to drive again with another full delivery outside off and Sibley obliges, skelping the half-volley past mid-off's left hand for four.

11:13 AM

OVER 16: ENG 27/0 (Burns 12 Sibley 11)

Here comes Daryl Mitchell, son of the former All Blacks head coach and current England assistant to Eddie Jones. He barely touches 80mph but he has good control and swings it both ways, after a mis-step with his opening delivery that was overpitched and clipped by Burns off his toes for two.

11:10 AM

OVER 15: ENG 25/0 (Burns 10 Sibley 11)

Wagner resumes with a maiden. Sibley plays at three and leaves the others. His bottom hand isn't so much of a claw as Graeme Smith's, it's more the loose grip that allows the bat to turn into the onside which means he can't get the ball through cover. Wonder if his top hand is turning the bat towards the legside more than the bottom.

11:04 AM

OVER 14: ENG 25/0 (Burns 10 Sibley 11)

Burns plays an open-faced drive that squirts through cover for two but is beaten by the next ball, trying to emulate the previous shot. Henry, scrambling the seam, made it jag away and elicited an anguished cry of exasperation from the bowler. The umpires call on the drinks waiters

11:02 AM

OVER 13: ENG 23/0 (Burns 8 Sibley 11)

Maiden from Wagner to Sibley. He may be more Hart to Hart than Bayreuth but feel it's more amusing to pronounce his name as if he were the 'The Old Sorcerer'. The left-armer, who has been used as a bang-it-in bowler for so long, is getting some lovely shape by pitching it up. Sibley defends four and leaves the other two.

10:55 AM

OVER 12: ENG 23/0 (Burns 8 Sibley 11)

That leg-before appeal from Trent Boult in the last over of his spell that was too high? Burns hit it as well, the replay shows. Slowish start from England but the ball is swinging, the sun has been camouflaged by a canopy of clouds and both openers regard patience as a prime virtue.

Henry continues and Sibley clips a straight ball on middle off his toes for a single.

10:50 AM

OVER 11: ENG 22/0 (Burns 8 Sibley 10)

First change - Neil Wagner, the workhorse of the attack, replaces Boult. There's swing for him, too, and Sibley works the first inswinger off his pads for a single. Wagner uses the crease to try to befuddle Burns with the changes in line, pitching it up and allowing it to swing. He does him with the last ball that Burns fiddles after as it snakes away from the outside edge, provoking a strangulated yelp from bowler and keeper.

10:45 AM

OVER 10: ENG 21/0 (Burns 8 Sibley 9)

Runs! Sibley drags a drive through mid-on with his closed face, working a ball from the fifth-stump corridor that most players would dispatch through the offside, for three. He really is a right-handed Graeme Smith whose ugly, terrible technique did not stop him making 9,265 Test runs at 48. Burns tucks the last ball of the over fine of square leg for two.

10:41 AM

OVER 9: ENG 16/0 (Burns 6 Sibley 6)

Big swing from Boult but it's swing virtually from the hand so Burns can read the trajectory pretty fluently, defending into the covers and midwicket when he closes the face. Loud appeal when Burns is struck high on the back leg from a scrambled seam delivery but the umpire and Boult's new captain, Tom Latham, are not interested. It would have cleared leg and middle by at least six inches. A fifth successive maiden for NZ, though.

10:37 AM

OVER 8: ENG 16/0 (Burns 6 Sibley 6)

Much better from Henry, a properly probing maiden, beating Sibley as he pushed forward tentatively and then causing a sharp intake of breath with his off-cutter that whistles past off-stump.

10:36 AM

OVER 7: ENG 16/0 (Burns 6 Sibley 6)

It isn't fancy dress day until Sunday but plenty have gone early - Ali G, Fred Flintstone, Derek Trotter etc. Boult adds a maiden to his figures but it isn't a particularly virtuous one as only one delivery demanded a stroke. Burns leaves the first three, the last of them on a better line but still judiciously left as it arced away from the stumps, defends the fourth into the covers then leaves the last two unmolested as well.

10:31 AM

OVER 6: ENG 16/0 (Burns 6 Sibley 6)

Maiden for Henry to Sibley, including a very tame bouncer that the opener ducks. That delivery lacked any menacing recoil and barely got over the stumps but the last ball, after three diligent defensive strokes, jagged back and climbed between bat and pad as Sibley raised his arms safely out of the way.

10:27 AM

OVER 5: ENG 16/0 (Burns 6 Sibley 6)

Boult has a leg gully in for Sibley and brings that fielder into play with an inswinger on to his hip. Sibley, on his home ground, works it off his thigh-pad in the vicinity of that fielder and runs one. Burns punches a single past mid-off, his bat barely following through past the vertical. Pleasing, meaty sound off the blade. Boult, now with a shortish midwicket as well as a leg gully for Sibley, gets the line right to bring them into play but the length wrong and the right-hander clips the overpitched ball off his toes for three.

10:22 AM

OVER 4: ENG 11/0 (Burns 5 Sibley 2)

Better line from Henry to the left-handed Burns, who defends soundly with that bottom-hand claw of his sending straight balls into the onside. Only two leg-byes from the over when the last ball, angled across Burns, flicks his hip as he tried to tickle it fine. They run two.

10:17 AM

OVER 3: ENG 9/0 (Burns 5 Sibley 2)

Rory Burns is unhappy with an open door in his sightline to the right of the screen. Boult stays over the wicket to the left-hander who plays one with surprising bounce right under his nose. He is batting with soft hands and drops a defensive short of the cordon. Boult angles one into the pads and strikes Burns on the thigh-pad of his back leg, too high for an appeal, and tries the same line again, this time a bit fuller, and Burns clips it through midwicket for a single.

10:13 AM

England players during the Moment of Unity

10:11 AM

OVER 2: ENG 8/0 (Burns 4 Sibley 2)

Matt Henry shares the new ball. Oyster-grey skies above Edgbaston. Big swing, too much for Henry to control on his sixth-stump line. Wide. Sibley works two through midwicket but Henry's line is generally unthreatening and Sibley gives the full face to a couple but lets the others through to Blundell to take in front of second slip.

10:06 AM

OVER 1: ENG 4/0 (Burns 4 Sibley 0)

Rory Burns takes guard against Trent Boult. Three slips and a gully. Sibley still has the dust of Lord's on his sleeveless sweater from diving headlong to make his ground in the second innings. Boult starts with a hooping away swinger and Burns lets it pass. It's only gentle swing, easily coverable so far and Burns blocks the second because it starts on middle. He's scrambling the seam. Good shape. Burns defends another, plays and misses, leaves one then runs the last ball between third slip and gully off the back foot for four.

10:00 AM

The players are out on the field

For 'the moment of unity' - very loud applause from the crowd for the players. England are wearing Tshirts which have 'Cricket is a a game for everyone'. On the back of the shirts are a range of messages 'We stand together against ... transphobia, ageism, racism, homophobia, religious intolerance etc.'

A resounding reception for the teams and their stance and, of course, for Jimmy Anderson.

09:49 AM

Eighteen years ago ...

09:38 AM

That's a long tail for England

With Mark Wood at eight and they have gone for two express pace bowlers and no front-line spinners. NZ rest and rotate before next week's WTC final against India at Lord's. Perhaps a draw at HQ wasn't such a bad result after all.

09:34 AM

Your teams

One change for England, six for NZ:

England Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Joe Root (capt), Ollie Pope, Dan Lawrence, James Bracey (wk), Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Stuart Broad, James Anderson

New Zealand Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Will Young, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Daryl Mitchell, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult.

09:32 AM

England have won the toss

And have decided to bat.

09:27 AM

Good morning

And welcome to live coverage from Edgbaston of the second Test between England and New Zealand and James Anderson's record-breaking 162nd Test for England. The series is poised at 0-0 after the rain-affected draw at Lord's and a tornado of, in my opinion unjustified, context-light, criticism of England's decision not to attempt to chase 273 off 75 overs on the Sunday at Lord's swirling around Joe Root's head.

On the back of three batting collapses in India, facing the very good attack of a side ranked higher than them, with no fielding restrictions or one-day wide regulations plus four years of condemnation for their gung-ho approach and demand for more doggedness in their batting, they find themselves in the position of being damned if they do, damned if they don't. If those who use words such as 'spineless' to trash their approach are prepared to pile praise on Zak Crawley for his stroke in getting out in the second innings, throwing his hands at a drive to play an entertaining, attacking shot, I think their argument would hold more water. But at the moment I think it lacks all logic. With England's current batting line-up there is no option to go for it then 'shut up shop' if it doesn't work and they lose wickets. The players capable of gusting it out for a draw are the two openers, not the flashy five, six and seven.

Anyhow ... this is NewZealand's first Test at Edgbaston since 1999's defeat when that cad Graham Thorpe hit the winning runs and stranded his Surrey team-mate Alex Tudor on 99*. Tudor's innings was the only high spot of a truly dismal summer for the hosts after their World Cup humiliation, the disintegration of Nasser Hussain's index finger and a Test series in limbo waiting for Duncan Fletcher to serve out his Glamorgan contract. If any series was putting people off the England team and Test cricket, it was that one, the last gasp of the pre-central contract age.

Today there will be 18,000 spectators inside Edgbaston and thousands of more would have been delighted to have the opportunity of being there. Test cricket in England is still in a robust shape after 22 years of progress since dropping to the bottom of the rankings in 1999. Kane Williamson is absent, as is England's best player at Lord's, the debutant Ollie Robinson, suspended for his offensive remarks at the age of 18. Trent Boult is back, Anderson supersedes Sir Alastair Cook and Root has a point to prove and a series to win. Play!