New Zealand vs England, second Test: live score updates

Bairstow blocks out a maiden from Wagner to reach the close just short of his ton. But what an innings from Bairstow and he had great support from Wood and Leach to ensure it’s even after day one. England, however, will feel the happier after looking unlikely to make 200 at one point. 

We’ll be back for day two at around 10pm BST. 

Can Bairstow score a memorable and deserved ton in the last over? 

Strap yourself in, this should be riveting. Baristow will face Wagner in the final over. 

Wagner back into the attack but Leach continues to defy New Zealand’s quicks. He has now faced 29 balls, looked really solid. And in a rarity, he’s wearing spectacles. Great stuff. 

Leach batting technique, glasses and stance. Shades of Daniel Vettori. #NZvENG

— ASAD ULLAH QASIM (@asad_q78) March 30, 2018

Day one honours now feels about even, which is pretty remarkable after England were reeling for much of the day. Undoubtedly, they will be feeling much betetr right now having conjured this brilliant comeback. 

A Bairstow century before stumps will add to their momentum. 

Few batsmen have deserved a test century more than Jonny Bairstow does today. #NZvENG

— ante meridian (@dizzydover) March 30, 2018

Bairstow is now into the 90s  with a boundary off the last ball of the over. He’s within striking distance of his 5th Test century. Sensational knock helped by Wood and Leach – who have already proved their worth. 

It’s gone flat for New Zealand once again. Leach is looking really solid, very impressive stuff. England have been sensational in the backend of day one. It’s just too bad they were so shoddy earlier in the day, especially when they lost 3 for 1 after lunch.

Leach gets it through the vacant third slip for four as England are closing in on 300 – who would have thought! Not long until stumps, if England can survive then it would be a major win for them. It’s been a long winter but, quite clearly, there is still fight left in this team. 

More doggedness here as Leach is up for the fight and England closing in on batting the full day’s play. 

Leach plays out a maiden from Southee well. 

Bairstow continues to score runs as he closes in on a deserved century. Leach scores his first runs in Test cricket off his second delivery with a nice drive for three. 10 off the over. 

Is that Jack Russell batting at 10 for @englandcricket ? #NZvENG

— Justin Devine (@jdevine1974) March 30, 2018

End of a brilliant innings from Wood, who scored his first 50 in Test cricket. He scored 52 from 62 balls in the 95-run partnership to rescue England. Tim Southee has a deserved five-wicket haul. 

Trent Boult is back into the account. 

Wood’s sensational innings is over as Southee strikes with the last delivery before the new ball. FOW 259/8 

Terrific knock. 

Two singles off the over and Wagner kicks the pitch in frustration. It hasn’t been his day and suddenly the contest is suddenly becoming evenly poised. 

Southee back into the attack, one over before the new ball. 

Bairstow smashes Sodhi for six. This has been some type of innings from him. He then nudges two to reach  a maiden Test 50! Off just 54 balls, this remarkable partnership has swung the match. 

So much talk that England’s lengthy tail would be a major flaw but Wood has shown he can bat. 

Maiden Test fifty for Mark Wood!#NZvENG #NZvsENG

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) March 30, 2018

Wagner deceives Bairstow and the ball appears to have hit the stumps but the bail has not dislodged! Luck favouring England right now. No luck this time, as he powerfully smashes a short one to the boundary. Wagner has been ineffective today.

Dropped! Wagner drops a return off Wood. Everything is going England’s way suddenly. 

Wood continues to plunder the runs, as he strokes it to the boundary. He then picks the wrong ‘un and smashes it for four. He’s faced 50 balls for 44 runs. Fantastic stuff! And he repeats the dose and clubs Sodhi for four. Highest partnership of the innings – 75 now. 14 off the over. 

Mark Wood putting Stuart Broad and most of the top order to shame here #NZvENG

— Kevin Framp (@BigKev67) March 30, 2018

Ish Sodhi back on. He’s only bowled three overs. 

Very defensive field for Bairstow. No slips, fielders scattered far and wide. Wood guides it to the boundary and notches his highest Test score. Well played! Partnership now 61 off 79. 

Just a single off the over from Bairstow to further frustrate New Zealand and ensure they have something to bowl to. 

One fancies Wood will be promoted up the order after this gritty knock. New Zealand look like needing the second new ball as Wood hooks Wagner for six to bring up the 50 partnership. 

Wood miscues a slog that just alludes the diving Nicholls. Wagner losing the plot here. 

Wood’s confidence is growing as he bludgeons a drive to the boundary. He is upstaging the top-order as this partnership closes in on 50. 

But Bairstow is smashed by a bumper from de Grandhomme! The helmet goes flying and just misses the stumps. Not what you would expect from the mild de Grandhomme. Bizarre. Drinks. 

You think you’re cool. But you’ll never be Jonny Bairstow wry grin after getting your helmet knocked off cool. #NZvENG

— Mark Brown (@markbrown5) March 30, 2018

Wood is doing really well as England reach 200 – a figure that didn’t seem likely several times today. 

Mark Wood v James Vince. Discuss #NZvENG

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 30, 2018

De Grandhomme’s first over back is easily negotiated by Bairstow, who deftly opens the face of the bat and scores a boundary.  The good news? England look like they will score over 200. The bad news? The pitch is playing really well and England appear well short. 

Bairstow can’t score off the last ball exposing Wood to Wagner. 

Amid England’s batting woes, it seems farcical Bairstow is batting at No.7. It feels like he should be moved two places up the order but the team is unstable without Moeen Ali – highlighting how important the struggling allrounder is to the team’s balance. 

Wagner has some words to Bairstow. He is trying to get himself going after a middling performance today. On cue, he produces a rapid ball which Bairstow top-edges but ‘keeper Watling drops it as he leaped high but couldn’t snare it full-strength. 

Wood nearly chops on a Southee yorker but he’s done a very good job to add invaluable runs. He’s faced 22 deliveries. 

Bairstow counterattacks with an aggressive pull to the boundary.  And he repeats the dose to bring up a stellar 50. Superb lone hand. 

Wagner has been non threatening today, a contrast to his heroics on day five. 

Wagner on for Boult. New Zealand will look to wrap this up and restrict England to under 200. 

New Zealand have been really disciplined with Southee and Boult, once again, claiming all the wickets. They have strangled England and got wickets in bunches to negated periods where the batsmen appeared to be getting on top. 

Wood is doing well and plays out a maiden Southee over. 

How good are Boult and Southee as a fast bowling pair? So consistent, specially in conditions that suit them. #NewZealand have some high quality players. #NZvENG

— Ritesh Bhandari (@bonritesh) March 30, 2018

Bairstow seemingly trusts Wood as he takes a single off the first ball. Wood repays the faith as he cracks a beautiful drive through cover point. Shot! He’s not a total mug, quite clearly. And he takes a single off the last ball to keep the strike. 

Wood does well to play out a maiden from Southee, who has been the star with 4-42 from 17 overs. This has been another spineless effort from England and continues a batting disaster in the winter. 

Bairstow smacks a short delivery from Boult to the boundary. Will he start unleashing or trust Wood to hang around? With Bairstow facing being stranded, should England play him as a specialist batsman?

Bairstow batting at 7 and getting stuck with the tail is just ridiculous! He is twice the batsmen both vince and Malan are. Get him up the order and bring livingstone or foakes in #NZvENG

— Ashley parmenter (@AshleyParmenter) March 30, 2018

England looking unlikely to reach 200. A poor start to a session once again. 

What was that! Goodness me, what a soft dismissal from Broad. He just spooned a fairly harmless Southee delivery to  Sodhi at mid-off.  FOW 164/7

Can the extra responsibility on Broad bring out his best? Meanwhile, Bairstow continues to show why he’s rated the team’s second best batsman as he drives beautifully to the boundary. 

Maiden for Southee to Bairstow. 

Broad to face the heat from Boult now. 

Another dominant batting performance i see #NZvENG

— Jon Davies (@1JonDavies1988) March 30, 2018

Terrible for England, who now look likely to be bowled out before stumps. Stokes was livid, threw his head back. 

Broad promoted two spots. Worrying times again for England. 

Stuart Broad in at No. 8…last time he was this high was 2013 #NZvENG

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 30, 2018

Oh dear! First over after tea, Stokes gets strangled down the leg side and that is disastrous for England after he and Bairstow had done such a good job before tea. Into the tail now. FOW 151/6

The final session starts with Boult back into the account. This session could shape the match, either way. 

England will rue a disastrous night-ball calamity after lunch, where they lost three wickets to spiral into disarray. But a solid rearguard between Bairstow and Stokes has restored some hope. They have played sensibly but ensured the runs are flowing. The pitch is good, so no reason why they can’t go on. England will need them to if they want to get back into the contest. 

We’ll be back at 4am BST. 

Bairstow hits a cut to the boundary. He is starting to find a good rhythm after a slow start. Good mixture between defence and punishing the bad balls.

Last over before tea coming up.

Stokes cracks a boundary. Good use of the feet to make the most of a rare poor bowl from de Grandhomme. 50 partnership from these two, but much more is needed. 

This has been a really good rearguard partnership, which is approaching 50. Saved England from total humiliation.

Cracking straight drive from Bairstow, beautiful stroke.  Still some hope for England. 

Boult back in, replacing Wagner who bowled within himself. 

De Grandhomme is probing away outside off and Stokes insides edges luckily for four. De Grandhomme has been trying to get Stokes to play a rash shot – he did but gets away with it.

Bairstow breaks the shackles with a three, nice drive from him off Wagner. He has scored 18 off his first 50 balls. 

Another quiet over there. Sometimes it feels New Zealand can go a bit flat even when they are on top. Happened a bit on day one. Or perhaps I’m just mistaking that for composure. 

Given how tired Stokes looked at the end of his innings in Auckland, has he got another such lengthy innings in him today?! #NZvENG

— Jess (@BlackCapsNo1Fan) March 30, 2018

Slow period here, which is a little unusual with Wagner bowling. But England just have to dig in. Can’t afford to lose any more wickets before tea, which is about 40 minutes away. 

It’s been a week from hell for Australian cricket but the Aussies have enjoyed England’s batting spiral. 

Very sweet of England’s batsmen to try and cheer up the Aussie public. #NZvENG #feetofclay

— Tim (@TimDentata) March 30, 2018

Another maiden from de Grandhomme. 

Game of cat and mouse. Wagner isn’t overdoing the short stuff He’s trying to set up the batsmen. The innately attacking Stokes and Bairstow are playing within themselves. A maiden. 

The probing de Grandhomme gets one past Stokes. Don’t underestimate his seemingly innocuous bowling!

Bairstow gets one through with soft hands. Quiet period but the fireworks should be imminent with speedster Wagner bowling to two players who aim to get on top although, right now, is the time to keep the head screwed on. 

If these two don’t produce a rearguard, England are in for a bucket load of scrutiny. 

They have been living off 2005 for 13 years. The team is in disarray. Has the best support money can buy. Coaches, tech back up, best of everything. Team fails. In Film terms it’s like giving the Chucke Brothers a Scorcese script. They are a poor team.#NZvENG

— Richard Blair (@theinca75) March 30, 2018

Bairstow inside edges the nagging de Grandhomme for a single to end the over. These two doing a good job building a platform but another wicket could see things change quickly for England. Is it a case of England essentially 6 out – all out?

Bairstow breaks the shackles with a drive for three. 

De Grandhomme coming on to replace the brilliant Southee.

Pitch the ball up and make them play all the balls.Kiwis on top at the moment. England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 tottering. Waiting for Bob Willis roasting them today. #ENGvNZ #NZvENG

— Immanuel (@m_immanuel) March 30, 2018

Neil Wagner is back replacing Boult. 

Southee continues but Stokes whacks a limp short ball for four.  Southee is perhaps tiring after his heroics in this session. Stokes needs to play a gem here to get England back into the match. 

Maiden from Boult. Bairstow has faced 22 balls but he has to play like this after the disastrous showing from the top-order once again. England just can’t sort out this mishmash of a batting order. Time for drinks, what a disastrous hour that was for England. 

Stokes punches a couple to end the over. Southee might be given a breather after turning the match on its head. 

You snooze for 15 minutes…#NZvENG

— Iain O’Brien (@iainobrien) March 30, 2018

A bit of calm has been restored. But these two are going to now need to bat the majority of the day if England are going to be competitive in this game. Once again, England are coming from a long way back so early. 

Just when it appeared it would be a favourable session for batting, England now have to revive the innings. But Stokes wisely needs to play his attacking game – the pitch is good. He cracks a beautiful cover drive to get off the mark as England reach 100. Southee has been brilliant with 3-30 from 12 overs. 

Eng are again falling apart with the bat. But let’s change the bowlers. That’s the solution ! #NZvEng

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) March 30, 2018

Finally a bit of calmness in that maiden over from Boult after the tumble of wickets! It now rests on these two with England sporting a long tail. Broad is next, remember. However, some will argue these two are the best batsmen outside of Root with Cook struggling badly. 

This is shocking stuff from England but you have to give credit to Boult and Southee – who are ripping through England a session later than in Auckland. 

Stoneman was stuck on the crease, hung his bat out and nicked it tamely to Latham at second slip. 

Nearly into the tail already…… #NZvENG

— Malcolm Upton (@Alky007) March 30, 2018

Another one! Three wickets in nine balls. England crashing in another tale of woe. Disastrous. FOW 94/5

Stokes played so maturely in the second innings in Auckland and needs to do something similar with England crashing. They seemed in good shape just a few overs ago but now are are looking down the barrel. 

Malan is plumb lbw to Boult first ball. England suddenly in major strife. FOW 94/4

England now in trouble after that 50-run stand is broken. England just don’t seem capable of big partnerships or innings. 

Tim Southee! Joe Root drives one down past mid on for four and then tries to repeat it again next ball and is bowled! Clips the pad on the way through. England 93/3 now. Live scoring | https://t.co/qsRi8Tu1mR #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/1Go4wBP11u

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 30, 2018

Can you believe it! Root was looking so good, he had just hit a pristine straight drive, but he is bowled by Southee. He left a massive gap and the ball swung in, hit the pad and then smashed the stumps. Another tease of an innings! FOW 93/3

Maiden from Boult. Stoneman looks set for the long haul. The key for him is to keep the runs ticking and not get stuck in quicksand, which happened a few times during the Ashes. 

Really hope Stoneman can get a score today. I like his battling ability and he gets stuck in. Just doesn’t push on and get those scores. But he has the right way of playing. #NZvENG

— Niall (@Crusty_Crouton) March 30, 2018

Just a single off a quieter over from Wagner. Feels like it just might be England’s day! They need to cash in. 

Root just survives. Now New Zealand are out of reviews, huge moment in the game. Williamson gambled knowing Root is the big wicket, but it has backfired. 

Root is hit on the pads by Boult but it’s given not out. Williamson reviews and replays confirm that it pitched just outside leg stump. Root survives. 

Root gets away with a top-edge! That was close stuff. It was up in the air but between the fielders in the deep. Wagner continues with the short stuff on leg. Let’s see if Root has the bravado to keep going for it. 

Scrap what I said about Williamson trusting Sodhi. Wagner is  back on. More fire and brimstone to come. Strap yourself in. 

Root whips a wayward Boult delivery for four, good start after lunch. He has been watchful but still scored at a strike-rate of over 50. Expect that to increase this session. You know when you just feel like a player is headed for a big one? I sense that with Root. 

Stoneman cuts a wide delivery from Sodhi to the boundary. Good shot, Stoneman has played watchful but ensured he has kept the runs ticking by picking off the loose balls. 

Williamson seems to have more faith in Sodhi, using him early here. Unlike in Auckland where he was reluctant to use Todd Astle, who ended up being vital late on day five when eventually used. 

Sodhi starts off. You would expect Boult or Southee with have a crack at the other end. 

We are about to start the middle session and England have laid a decent platform. They need to kick on this session as batting conditions are expected to get better. 

After all pre-match chat on conditions & being put in, think 70-2 is a fair return after 1st Session #NZvENG – expecting good news later!!

— John Campbell (@stockportjr) March 30, 2018

England will be happy with that first session after being sent in and losing Alastair Cook early. James Vince, as per usual, looked good before falling when he was settling in. Stoneman has been gritty, while Root looks classy and solid. They will be hoping to kick on for a big partnership. 

We will be back at 1.30am BST. 

Sodhi certainly is more accurate than Astle, who was all over the place but managed to take wickets. But Root wins the early battle with a beautiful drive to the boundary. He’s looking really good. 

One over until lunch. 

Maiden from Wagner but Stoneman survives the short stuff. Maybe one more over until lunch. 

Ish Sodhi, making his return, is on the money. A big appeal to Stoneman but it is spinning down leg. One off the over. 

Wagner continues with the short stuff at Root. He beautifully pushes off the back foot for two. He looks a class above the others we’ve seen. He then gets on top of short one and cuts it for four. Root needs a big one, he looked good during the Ashes but just couldn’t make a century. It feels like something special is brewing today. 

This cricket match is a distraction to how nice that ground at Christchurch looks. #NZvENG

— Karla (@DuckyMomo65) March 29, 2018

Gorgeous drive from Root gets three.

Wagner steaming in. Bowls it short on the fourth ball but Root plays it easily. Another short one, a bit too short allows Root to duck down easily. This is a good battle, fascinating little period here. A maiden there, mixture of short balls and some full deliveries with a hint of swing. 

Neil Wagner has replaced Southee. He was the hero on day five in Auckland with his devastating late burst. This should be fun. 25 minutes until lunch. 

Stoneman puts away a bad ball from de Grandhomme. He’s at least putting away the bad balls, sometimes during the Ashes he looked too bogged down. He needs to go on.  

The 50 is up for England. Certainly in far less dramatic circumstances than in Auckland but they can’t afford to lose any more wickets before lunch. 

Stoneman gets a couple, but then slashes loosely. Fortunately, he doesn’t nick it. He’s battled bravely, in typical fashion, but needs to hang in there. Stoneman finishes with a boundary, a nice late cut in a confidence boost. Just the fifth boundary in the innings. 

Ouch! Root gets hit in the helmet from a short Southee delivery. But he seems to be fine. A misjudge from Root, who was trying to evade it. 

A maiden from Southee, very menacing over. 

Southee pinging Root right on the badge with a short(ish) delivery, and the first thing he did was check Root was ok. That’s how you play hard but fair…. Can you imagine if that was Starc, or any other Aussie! 😒 #NZvENG

— Darren Pickard (@darrenpickard) March 29, 2018

With such a weak lower order, England can ill-afford to lose any wickets before lunch. A crucial 45 minutes here. 

De grandhomme is plugging away, 4 overs for 4 runs. 

Root, at his preferred No.4, gets off the market immediately with a single. 

Back to the mercurial No.3. Vince played all around it in an ungainly dismissal to continue his stuttering career. He’s the ultimate tease. 

You always get the feeling with James Vince that every ball could potentially get him out. Shame as he’s 90% a good player #NZvENG @SkyCricket #bbccricket

— Nick James (@NickJames47) March 29, 2018

Southee traps Vince but the batsman reviews again but it is upheld in an umpire’s call. FOW 38/2. England do not lost their review. 

Vince will be shattered. Once again, he was starting to look the goods before falling – the story of his career.

England enjoyed a very good first hour and, suddenly, Kane Williamson would feel a little nervous about bowling first. Undoubtedly, he was swayed by England’s capitulation in Auckland but this pitch doesn’t look too bad and will only get better. 

Stoneman puts away a rare loose de Grandhomme for three. 

Nice cover drive by Vince, who gets a couple. His driving is pristine, Mark Waugh like, but he has never strung it together.  This one is better! A classy, eye-catching cover drive rockets to the boundary. 

Is this finally the day for the mercurial Vince? I understand if you’re dubious. 

James Vince is playing well*

— Fred Nathan (@FreddieNathan) March 29, 2018

Southee is back on replacing Boult. 

Williamson loves bowling de Grandhomme and perhaps over used him on day five in Auckland. But this pitch should suit him, as he will probe away with a hint of movement. He’s already looking more dangerous than in Auckland. Another maiden. 

Would be going to know if the umpire gave @vincey14 out caught or lbw either way a dreadful decision. That’s why DRS was bought in to remove the howler of a decision

— Richard Shelley (@RShelley_bowls) March 29, 2018

Might be Boult’s seventh and last over of his first spell. England will be happy if they see off Boult just one down. Good flick from Vince for two to end the over. 

Great maiden over by de Grandhomme, who thought he had the wicket of Vince. 

Has James vince just saved his England career with that review. He’ll get a daddy hundred now #NZvENG

— Steve Wheeler (@stevew125) March 29, 2018

Vince is trapped lbw but Vince challenges and it is successfully reviewed. Good review from Vince. 

Colin de Grandhomme replaces Southee

Commentators saying it will be a good pitch later on day one. The key is surviving this early onslaught, which Stoneman and Vince are doing a decent job of in recent overs. Good period from them. 

A better couple of overs from these two, who are starting to settle – although one can never be too assured with the temperamental Vince. 

Calmer over there. Just a single off it. 

A lot happening in that Southee over. Stoneman was lucky to survive top-edging a misjudged pull, which just evaded the field. Then Vince survives a strong lbw appeal. Three singles off the over. 

Vince was hit on the pads by Southee but it was given not out. Replays confirm it was high and missing. It looked an ambitious review, one wasted from New Zealand. 

Runs are hard to find. It’s all about survival. But Vince finally gets off the mark and nails a couple of boundaries. A beautiful drive through long-off to finish the over in a confidence boost for Vince. 

I’m optimistic for the greatest 36 runs of James Vince’s test career coming up here. #bbccricket

— Charlie Wetton (@c_wetton) March 29, 2018

Miaden from Southee. Stoneman has faced 21 balls but he’s hanging in there so far. 

Typical Vince! He looks good in defence to start the over before playing a loose drive. Fortunately, he doesn’t nick. He’s then beaten by one that is angled across him. Maiden from Boult, who is looking really threatening. England will do well if  they can keep him out.

Ball being checked already but it’s okay. 

Good over from Southee, who is finding the right line now. Stoneman pushes for two and moved his feet well in a notable difference to Cook. But he’s well beaten to end the over. 

Alastair Cook is playing his 152nd straight Test – just one shy from equalling Allan Border’s record. 

But another single digit failure will cast doubt on his future. Granted, he got a great delivery but his feet were glued to the crease.

Think Cook had his eyes closed there, didn’t get anywhere near hitting that one! #NZvENG

— Chris Hearn (@chris4465) March 29, 2018

James Vince has been recalled after a disappointing Ashes. He’s been well mocked for his inability to convert pretty 20s and 30s. Big chance for him. 

Wicket maiden from Boult, who is once again the danger man. 

Cook is bowled by a cracker! It shaped in and then seamed away to hit the top of off stump. FOW 6/1

Horrible start for England and the pressure is set to intensify on Cook.

Southee takes the ball and there is an immediate shout for lbw on Cook but it is missing leg and Williamson doesn’t review. 

A little wayward from Southee but nervous start from England, which isn’t surprising after what happened last time.

Stoneman looks like a sitting duck 😬#NZvENG #MoveYourFeet #GetForward

— Kevin Carpenter (@KevSportsLaw) March 29, 2018

Cook scores a single immediately off the first ball to ease the pressure. But Stoneman inside edges past the ‘keeper in a nervous start. First boundary, but it was very streaky. Huge innings for Stoneman. He looked good at times during the Ashes and showed fight in the second innings in Auckland but hasn’t produced that breakthrough innings. 

Oooh! He gets beaten by two Boult crackers. Entertaining start!

The players are out and raring to go. There is a lot of pressure on struggling opener Alastair Cook after his double failure in Auckland. 

First Test man-of-the-match Trent Boult has the ball. 

England need to survive this first session. Batting should improve after that. 

Quite clearly, England’s brains trust believe their attack is the main issue even though they were routed for 58 in Auckland. Out goes Moeen, Woakes and Overton. 

National anthems sung with gusto in front of a healthy crowd on Good Friday. 

all out for 58 and drop three bowlers ! #NZvENG

— michael fildes (@mike_meloff) March 29, 2018

Of course, this Test and the rest of the cricket world has been overshadowed by the ball tampering scandal engulfing Australian cricket. Darren Lehmann resigned in the wake of emotional press conferences from fallen former captain Steve Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft. David Warner briefly spoke to reporters on arrival at Sydney airport but says he will address the issue in a couple of days. 

Undoubtedly, England’s first Test thrashing was completely overshadowed and they escaped a lot of heat due to the Aussie scandal. 

The 26-year-old received his cap from Graeme Swann. The left-arm spinner will play a key role in the match first up with New Zealand set to bat last. 

Rain ravaged the Test in Auckland although that didn’t save England. It is beautiful conditions in Christchurch and the forecast looks good for the Test but rain could strike on day two. 

Beautiful morning for the first day of the second Test against England. This is England’s first Test at Hagley Oval. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/2ObthApgOi

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2018

James Vince has returned and will bat at No.3 with Root to return to 4. Root says Ben Stokes is “day by day” whether he can bowl. 

Spinner Ish Sodhi comes in for New Zealand and replaces the injured Todd Astle, who was a day five star in Auckland. 

Kane Williamson has elected to bowl on a perfect day in Christchurch but it did rain ahead of the Test. England will need to do far better than they did in Auckland where they were routed for 58. 

England’s attack looks to have more flair with speedster Mark Wood and young spinner Jack Leach getting their chances. The attack had looked toothless in the first Test and during the Ashes. 

But the batting has a long tail without Moeen and Overton, with Stuart Broad to bat at 8.

Jack Leach makes his Test debut! #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/l3CYbFR3Mt

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 29, 2018

Tristan Lavalette here and welcome to the second Test. England are desperate for a victory after a first Test thrashing and have made some changes. Jack Leach is making his Test debut and will replace the struggling Moeen Ali, who has been dropped. 

Mark Wood is also set to play and replace Craig Overton. 

Play set to start at 11pm BST. 

Hello and welcome to our second Test live blog. Can England do any better this time? It shouldn’t be too hard because they were truly woeful in Auckland.

Joe Root has left his England team in no doubt that a vast and urgent improvement is needed in the final Test of their arduous winter.

In a first assignment since their 4-0 Ashes drubbing, England again fell flat with an innings defeat in Auckland.

Root, who voiced his steadfast support for Trevor Bayliss as the “right man” to continue as England coach, spelled out his and his team-mates responsibilities to reach a much higher standard.

Victory this time would square the series and prevent England’s longest winter schedule for 55 years ending on another downer.

Root began his bid to arrest the slide by following England’s three-hour training session by convening a lengthy meeting to discuss the task ahead with his bowling attack.

Afterwards, he said: “We hope we can put right what was a really bad week. The (two days of) rain (in Auckland) made it look a lot better than it was. We know we were well off the mark.

“It’s about making sure we’re far better than we have been so far on this tour.”