Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter & Timothy Abraham

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

    England have done well with their wickets earlier in the day and now in their runs after the early dismissal of Emilio Gay.

  2. Eng 48-1

    A first maiden of the day as Jacob Bethell can't get Will O'Rourke away.

    An under-edge drops past the off stump, but Bethell survives.

  3. Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    The last Test fifty from Ben Duckett came against India at The Oval on 31 July 2025. This is his 15th innings since then.

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

    You get a sense that drop catch earlier was a real big one.

  5. Eng 48-1

    Jon from Birmingham mentions Bunbury Tales by David English, who also set-up the Bunbury Festival.

    First held in 1987, it remains England's premier event for young domestic talent and it was named to promote the book series.

    Meanwhile, Blair Tickner replaces Nathan Smith, and Jacob Bethell fires him through point for four.

    The seamer, bowling for the first time in the series, responds with a low delivery that scuds past Bethell's bat.

  6. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    Glory Gardens was what first got me into cricket - the sequence when Ohbert becomes captain is still laugh-out-loud funny even at my age (sad, I know). Wodehouse's Mike is my other favourite but should quite rightly have scorecards.

    Thomas, Slough

    Not necessarily literature but the Dad's Army episode The Test, featuring Fred Trueman is hilarious.

    Alun, Bury St. Edmunds

    Best cricket literature, Bunbury Tales! Written by David English. Geoff Boycatt, Ian Buntham. A classic that has aged like a fine wine.

    Jon, Birmingham

  7. Eng 42-1

    Another over, another Ben Duckett four - this one is sent fine off Will O'Rourke.

    32 of his 35 runs have come from boundaries.

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

    That was the perfect shot from Ben Duckett. That's the home advantage of knowing the angles.

  9. Eng 36-1

    Big shout from Nathan Smith for an lbw!

    It doesn't look out, and the reviews show there was an inside edge.

    Duckett then adds his seventh four, off the back foot through point.

  10. Eng 31-1

    Strong connection there.

    Ben Duckett pulls Will O'Rourke to the mid-wicket boundary, but then misses the ball entirely with a big heave on the drive.

    Meanwhile here's how Emilio Gay lost his wicket for a five-ball duck.

    Gay caught down the leg side for a duck

  11. Eng 26-1

    England continue to attack, rattling along at over five an over.

    Ben Duckett hits Nathan Smith off the back foot for four through point, then skews another edge wide of gully for another boundary.

    That takes him to 22 from 18 deliveries.

  12. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport cricket correspondent at Trent Bridge

    I've just started reading the Glory Gardens books with my seven-year-old son. Excellent stuff. Hooker Knight could take over from Ben Stokes as England captain.

  13. Eng 16-1

    Hmm, not totally in control.

    Jacob Bethell's drive off Will O'Rourke flies past gully for four.

    Not all that far from a chance.

  14. How stat?!

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    CricViz analyst

    Ben Duckett is short on runs in this series so far, and New Zealand has given him an early reprieve at his favorite venue.

    Duckett averages 99.7 at Trent Bridge, his best average at any ground where he has played at least two matches.

  15. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    Cricketing literature (14:20): Penguins Stopped Play by Harry Thompson is worth a read. Heroic failure encapsulated in the game of cricket.

    Ed, London

    Radio 4 Extra has featured Tales from a Long Room (Peter Tinniswood) as a series on several occasions.

    Lawrence, Chippenham

    Best cricketing literature - Postman Pat plays for Greendale. Absolute rollercoaster of emotions!

    Adam, Liverpool

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

    A typical Ben Duckett crunching punch.

  17. Eng 12-1

    Salt in the wound for New Zealand as Ben Duckett adds his third four through the covers, confidently driving off the back foot.

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

    A very catchable height. That should be taken.

  19. dropped catch

    Duckett dropped on eight

    Should have been two down.

    Nathan Smith, bowling round the wicket to the left-handers, takes the shoulder of Ben Duckett's bat.

    It goes at pace, but you'd expect second slip Henry Nicholls to take that all day long.

  20. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    Genuinely think Ben Duckett would have gone big in the second Test first Innings had he not been run out by Emilio Gay. Time to remind everyone what he can do!

    Mike, Eastbourne

    I agree with Alex Hartley, Ben Duckett needs to get some form back and quickly. Can't see England bringing in another opener while Emilio Gay is still settling in, so the pressure should be off Ben for now.

    Matt, Fanham

    It’s Ben Stokes that needs the runs to prove he’s indispensable to the team.

    Tbird, Norway