Summary

  • Second Test, day two, The Oval

  • England close on 222-6: Gay 53, Root 46; Henry 2-57, O'Rourke 2-61

  • Hosts trail by 169 runs

  • Phillips makes first Test century as NZ dismissed for 391

  • England lead three-match series 1-0

  • Watch highlights on BBC Two and iPlayer from 19:30 BST

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham & Mike Peter

  1. Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Attacking shot percentage in Tests:

    • Crawley - 34%
    • Gay - 22%

    False shot percentage in Tests:

    • Crawley - 22%
    • Gay - 27%

  2. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    Is Emilio Gay really slow at scoring or am I so used to Bazball?

    Daryll, Isle of Sheppey

    An England batter with under 50 strike-rate and is still in? Everyone feeling okay?

    Rufus, Hackney

  3. Eng 138-2

    Emilio Gay batting as we await his half century.PA Media

    The wait for Emilio Gay's half-century continues.

    Joe Root brings him on strike via a single from Will O'Rourke's first ball, and Gay sees his bat beaten by the seamer's follow-up delivery.

    Three further balls are knocked away, O'Rourke sends down a no ball then Gay fends off the last delivery.

    He considers a dart down the pitch, but, perhaps remembering the dismissal of Ben Duckett, then thinks better of it.

  4. Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    12 runs for Joe Root in the over from O'Rourke. The last time he scored more in a Test over was August 2024 against Sri Lanka.

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

    There's a sense of calm when Emilio Gay's batting. Not too much seems to fluster him, he's in his own little bubble.

  6. Eng 136-2

    No half-century for Emilio Gay in this over.

    The opener faces six balls from Nathan Smith without scoring.

  7. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Joe Root in action batting the ball to his left-making a good connectionGetty Images

    Joe Root is looking aggressive here.

  8. Eng 128-2

    Pow!

    Emilio Gay takes a single, moving to 49 and bringing Joe Root on strike.

    Will O'Rourke offers a bit of width and Root unleashes a brutal cut to pick up his fifth four of the innings.

    Two balls later and he adds his sixth, swivelling for a pull shot - it's not a clean connection, but enough to reach the ropes.

    And wait, here's number seven - guiding O'Rourke's last delivery wide of the cordon.

  9. Eng 123-2

    Very nice.

    Nathan Smith takes the ball at the other end and the England number four simply leans on the seamer's third delivery, sending it away for four past mid-off.

  10. Eng 119-2

    Gay 48, Root 20

    In fact, we start slightly early.

    Will O'Rourke bowls the final ball of the first over of the afternoon session, a wide-ish delivery that tempts Emilio Gay, who almost plays a waft it.

  11. Play to resume at 16:35 BST

    Some news from south London.

    The covers are off and we are going to get going again at 16:35 BST.

    It's still pretty murky, but the rain has relented.

  12. Ben Duckett raced to 36 from 25 balls this afternoon, before disaster struck.

    The opener was run-out having been called through for a single was partner Emilio Gay.

    His fellow left-hander would perhaps have hoped to spend most of the day avoiding Duckett by staying out in the middle, but finds himself in the dressing room for now.

    Duckett run out for 36 early into afternoon session

  13. Joe Root walks off in the rainGetty Images

    Tell you what, it is pretty grey over the back of the pavilion at The Oval.

    There's some reasonable movement on the flags mounted on the roof, so hopefully it will blow over.

  14. rain stops play

    Rain stops play

    Eng 119-2

    Oh, that was a long evening session.

    Five balls in and the players are coming off for a touch of drizzle.

    I'm not sure this break will last all that long, the rain is not that heavy according to the Test Match Special team.

  15. Eng 118-2

    Trail by 273; Gay 48, Root 19

    And away we go.

    Will O'Rourke delivers the opening ball of the evening session, fended away by Joe Root.

  16. Get Involved

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    Blimey, the knives are already out for Young Jacob! Just relax yourselves, he's nicked off with it going round corners. Happens to the best of them...

    Harry Chandler, Shropshire

    Let's put it this way - Bethell or Pope? I rest my case.

    Andy B, Shropshire

  17. Thanks, Mr A.

    At the start of England's reply, WinViz gave New Zealand a 57% chance of victory, England 40% and the chance of draw was 3%.

    England have edged ahead as slight favourites by tea on day two...

    WinViz gives England 50% chance of victory, New Zealand 47% and the draw 3%CricViz

  18. Timothy Abraham
    BBC Sport

    England have shown a bit of ticker in the afternoon session when there might have been a bit of concern at 68-2.

    Here's Mike Peter to talk you through tea and the first part of the evening session.

  19. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    This is building up into a really competitive match.

  20. England 118-2 at tea

    Emilio Gay works Kyle Jamieson through mid-wicket for a couple.

    Gay content to defend the rest of the over as he heads into the interval unbeaten on 48.

    His partnership with Joe Root is worth 50. These two have steadied the ship nicely following the dismissal of Jacob Bethell.

    And that is tea.