Stuart Broad impresses as England build slight advantage in second Test against New Zealand

England appeared to be in control when New Zealand crashed to 36/5 before a record partnership between BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme changed the course of the match. Day three is crucial and England will want to dismiss Watling early and gain a handy lead. 

Play starts earlier because of the end of daylight savings with day three to start at 10.30pm BST. Until then, goodbye. 

The players are going off due to bad light and that is stumps. England still lead by 115 runs but New Zealand have fought back magnificently to continue this see-sawing match. 

There is nearly a mix-up but the throw misses and Watling survives. New Zealand have shut up shop now. It is getting very dark, we might not have too long left here. 

Think this will be the last over due to fading light? #nzveng

— Krishi (@imkb6) March 31, 2018

Southee seems to be ok and is continuing. Still 8 overs left. 

Southee shakes the lethargy with a swipe off Wood’s bouncer to the boundary. Wood is bowling around the wicket with a packed leg side field – he eventually goes for it and somehow picks the gap for four! Luck is going New Zealand’s way.

Southee is getting his arm looked at after being hit by Wood.  

Broad continues to impressively steam in late in the day. Crucial little period this before stumps, England once again have the slight edge. 

Maiden from Wood as it is getting very gloomy above. 

England can still claim control if they knock over the tail here. Their lead is 127 runs. Southee gets off the mark with a couple to third man. 

Broad has been superb with 4 for 35 from 14 overs. 

At blooming last! Decent knock by the Big Fella but seriously, who wants to see de Grandhomme bat even more slowly than he bowls…? #NZvENG

— Jonny (@Leathernwillow) March 31, 2018

Finally England break this partnership! And it’s Stuart Broad once again, who lures de Grandhomme into a drive and he nicks behind. Broad now has four wickets. Fantastic innings from de Grandhomme who faced 151 deliveries – clearly the most of his career. Partnership ends at 142. FOW 178/6

Broad has replaced Anderson. 

Much credit should go to these two batsmen who have applied themselves and have now created the highest 6th wicket partnership for New Zealand over England in Tests. The stand is worth 142 and is soul destroying for England who thought they had a stranglehold of this contest earlier today. 

Mark Wood is on and has replaced Srokes who bowled three overs for five runs and provided some much-needed spark. 

Anderson continues but there isn’t much inventiveness from England. Root might need to pull a rabbit out of the hat here, either himself or part-time spinner Dawid Malan, who can be handy. 

We’re just going through the motions here, folks. Maiden from Anderson again. 

Stokes has looked as likely as anyone during this flat period. He’s bowling at 138 kmh. Just one off the over. 

Anderson finally gets Watling’s edge but it bounces short of Bairstow to add to the frustration. He’s bowling wide to frustrate Watling but the batsman has dug in after his lapse earlier in the over. Maiden from Anderson. 

Stokes continues and bowls a maiden. Time for drinks. England continue to be frustrated and they have gone one-and-a-half sessions without a wicket. 

We’ll be doing some overnight but England will only get one over with the new ball today. 

Jimmy isn’t getting much to happen with this old ball.  It’s getting increasingly dark on one half of the ground but blue skies on the other. We should get a full day’s play. 

It’s the match of comebacks. Eng made 307 after being 94/5. NZ now 170 odd for 5 after being 40/5. #NZVEng

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) March 31, 2018

He’s the talisman, that’s for sure! Stokes, even though he’s rusty and not 100 per cent fit, has instantly had an impact. England have badly missed his allround skills. 

De Grandhomme was given not out for a caught behind off Stokes and the decision is upheld. And it’s also missing the stumps. Unsuccessful review for England. 

Stokes is coming on for the first time in the series! He’s the man to spark things but he’s unlikely to bowl at full tilt due to his back issues. 

The ball has done nothing from around the 20 over mark. It’s gone flat again, no runs are coming and England don’t look like buying a wicket. Maiden from Anderson. 

Leach is continuing and de Grandhomme skips down the wicket but can’t pierce the field. Maiden from Leach who has the figures of 0 for 46 from 18 overs but it’s all pretty lifeless for England right now. 

Ben Stokes is doing stretches. Can he bowl? England need a tonic and Stokes could provide one. 

Dark clouds are starting to cover the ground. Just one off the over from Anderson. 

England are still a fair way away from the new ball and they are just going through the motions now. They need some inspiration. Watling sweeps Leach to the boundary and he has dominated this partnership post tea. 

England will be gutted if they can’t strike before stumps. Anderson is doing his best as he beats de Grandhomme outside off. The allrounder picks off a single in the only run off the over. 

England have found a host of ways to lose matches over the last two years: having the opposition 36 for 5 in reply to 307 would be a good one to add to the collection #NZvENG

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 31, 2018

Leach is continuing as the Barmy Army have found voice late in the day. Watling has found his timing but he can’t pierce the field. Just one off the over, Leach is holding up one end. 

Anderson gets straight driven to the boundary from Watling, who now has overtaken his batting partner. Watling outdoes himself with a beautiful drive to the ropes. He has really found his groove now, worrying signs for England. 

Anderson is back replacing Wood. 

Leach operating from around the wicket to Watling, who is playing another indefatigable innings. He sweeps to the boundary to bring up the 150. Runs are starting to trickle now.

Watling has been involved in three of the top four highest 6th wicket partnerships for New Zealand. Ominous for England. 

Wood bowling back over the wicket to de Grandhomme, who recklessly pulls and it goes high in the air but not to hand. He’s losing patience now - big period either way. You feel something is about to give. 

So far 15 wickets have fallen in this game, all of them to each team’s opening bowlers. #NZvENG

— MikamKciredor (@RoderickMakim) March 31, 2018

Watling brings up his 50 in style with a slog-sweep off Leach for six. He’s bowling a bit conservatively, you feel he needs to toss it up a bit more. 

Hundred partnership comes up with Watling miscuing a hook off Wood but it’s safe. Terrific rearguard, England will be feeling edgy as this Test continues to see-saw. 

Can de Grandhomme keep being patient? It’s been a determined innings from him as he has shed the shots for a long time. He’s just starting to unwind a bit, think he wants to get hold of one here. And he does go for it! He drives uppishly but it goes past the outstretched arms at cover and to the boundary. England’s plan nearly worked!

Third 33 balls: 16 runs. #NZvENG https://t.co/jWqfTL6Ek4

— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl) March 31, 2018

Wood has hit Watling’s glove a couple of times but it hasn’t gone to hand. Watling ducks under a couple of harmless bouncers with ease. 

Leach goes back over the wicket to Watling. Another quiet over, just one off it. Leach has 0 for 24 from 12 overs. 

Wood bowling around the wicket and he’ll persist with the short stuff against Watling – he did hit him earlier in the innings with a rearing bumper. There are men all around the bat but Watling jumps all over a short and wide one to cut to the boundary. Wood comes back with a nasty one at the throat but Watling survives. 

I feel like a leg side strangle used to be a once-a-season event. Now it’s happening twice a Test match. What’s changed? #NZvENG

— Andrew White (@andywhitenz) March 31, 2018

Leach probes away as de Grandhomme continues to play maturely. This is already his longest innings in terms of balls. His highest score is 101 off 74 balls, so this certainly is a change of approach from him but exactly what New Zealand needed. 

Players are coming out for the final session which could shape the match. If England can strike early then they will be confident of running through the lower-order. 

England got the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson early in the session but have been blunted by Watling and de Grandhomme who have restored hope for the Kiwis with an 87-run partnership. Things became flat there for England in the last part of that session. It’s a good opportunity for them to regroup during tea.

We will be back at 4am BST.

Mark Wood on for the final over. 

Things looking flat for England, they will welcome the tea break to regroup. 

One over left. 

Watling fine sweeps to the boundary twice to punish poor Root bowling. 

Joe Root has come on to replace Broad. 

de Grandhomme reaches his third Test 50, terrific knock under pressure. He has faced 75 balls but looked assured after his aggressive start. 

Well played de Grandhomme here. Dug in when needed, keeping NZ in this game #NZvENG

— Niall (@Crusty_Crouton) March 31, 2018

Broad persisting with this short bowling from around the wicket at de Grandhomme, who cannily paddle pulls to fine leg for four. But no major fireworks in that over. Just 10 minutes until tea, the game settling down now. 

Five runs off the over as de Grandhomme continues to play respectfully. Leach is mixing it up and has bowled 8 overs for 19 runs. 

Broad bowling around the wicket and short targeting a leg-stump line. There is just one slip and bowlers scattered around the deep. De Grandhomme takes up the challenge with a swipe and it goes to third man for a leg-bye. This is much like Neil Wagner’s tactics for much of the series. 

Broad round the wicket, four on the leg-side boundary: long leg, deep backward square, deep square and deep midwicket #NZvENG

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 31, 2018

Can de Grandhomme keep being patient? He”s been bogged down since an aggressive start. Leach certainly is being patient as he probes away on a middle stump line but Watling sweeps to the boundary to bring up New Zealand’s 100 – which looked in jeopardy earlier. 

Watling breaks the shackles with an uppish drive just past Broad’s dive in his follow through and it races to the boundary.  

There was some talk earlier when New Zealand were lurching over whether Root would enforce the follow-on. He almost certainly won’t have to contemplate such a decision as these two are putting up good resistance. England will need to be patient and bowl accurately – which Leach does in his maiden. 

Excellent probing over from Leach. He deserved a wicket there. #NZvENG

— Jeremy B (@Jeremy_2566) March 31, 2018

Broad has looked far less threatening in this spell as the ball now has lost its shine. Although he bowls the odd delivery that has a hint of dangerous movement. 

The bespectacled Leach continues. I always admire athletes who can wear glasses while playing sports. Personally, I find glasses annoying to wear, but contacts are also troublesome!

Anyway, I digress, Leach is bowling accurately but it’s a quiet period now. England don’t look menacing and de Grandhomme has started to put his head down. 

Broad continuing to be a work horse but he is not looking as menacing as earlier. The pitch looks a beauty now, but one wicket will open up the tail. But these two defying England as they bring up the 50-run partnership. 

Important spell for England. Broad & Anderson took good wickets this morning in English-like conditions. Nothing new.#NZvENG #bbccricket

— Ollie Slack (@ol14__) March 31, 2018

Leach is drifting it up and bowling accurately but there isn’t much spin out there. He ends with a short one that Watling clubs is for three – another three in the innings!

Three slips for Broad but Watling nicks a good length ball just short of third slip. Broad continues to bend his back. 

Stuart Broad, the star with the ball, is back on. 

Leach bowling around the wicket to Watling. Nicely bowled, he’s bowling with good pace and is accurate. Time for drinks. England will have been delighted to remove Williamson early in that session but these two are settling in and there are few demons in the pitch. Batting should get easier as the new ball loses its shine. 

Watling drives imperiously to the boundary. Jimmy starting to tire as he’s bowled through since lunch. Probably his last over with Broad likely to get another go. 

Good start from Leach, three runs off the over. 

I enjoy it when England play New zealand, the Kiwis are always good sports, no sledging bollocks only good cricket…….#NZvENG

— Mike jarrett (@politicaldittys) March 31, 2018

Debutant Jack Leach replaces Wood. He bowled one over before lunch for a maiden. 

De Grandhomme is picking the balls better now as he gets his eyes in. He punches a rare loose Anderson delivery for four and then gets one through the slips for another boundary. 

This partnership is 36 – thanks mainly due to de Grandhomme. 

Wood continues at Watling, who finally breaks the shackles with a cut for two. He played that over far better. 

Anderson beats de Grandhomme with one that goes off the seam. But the allrounder is starting to settle after counterattacking early. Cat and mouse here. Maiden from Anderson. 

Wood is cranking it up from around the wicket and he’s smashed Watling on the helmet, and the sting guard flies off and almost goes onto the stumps. The stricken batsman has given the thumbs up and he’s attended to by medical staff. 

Oh my. That is horrible to see. That is exactly the area that Phil Hughes got hit in. Thank God for that extra protection there now. #NZvENG

— Niall (@Crusty_Crouton) March 31, 2018

De Grandhomme striking at better than a run a ball, but a quiet over there with just two runs off that Anderson over. 

New Zealand still need 50 to avoid the follow-on. 

He is living dangerously, but de Grandhomme alludes the fielder at fine leg to pick up two. Wood now cracking it up to 143kmh as he is starting to find his rhythm. 

Disgraced former Australia vice-captain David Warner has fronted the media during an emotional press conference in Sydney. 

However, he still seems to have at least one fan in Christchurch. 

Someone in the crowd wearing a #DavidWarner shirt. 😂 #NZvENG

— Silly Wonka (@Rumpelstilt5kin) March 31, 2018

Anderson gets a prolonged crack at Watling but the batsman is patient and watchful. 

The fireworks are set to start again with de Grandhomme facing Wood. 

Wisely, de Grandhomme is going to play his natural attacking game as he pulls to the boundary thrice. This is going to be entertaining! Still three slips and a gully deployed by Root. de Grandhomme has faced just 11 balls for 16. 

Wood has been innocuous here. 

de Grandhomme getting hold of a few here. As good as he’s hit those last couple, he simply cannot afford to get out #NZvENG

— Guy Heveldt (@GuyHeveldt) March 31, 2018

England have a chance of routing New Zealand here and get a bit of revenge for Auckland. Williamson was the big wicket and England got lucky but they probably were owed some good fortune after they have had several batsmen dismissed down the leg-side in the series. 

That’s the big one! Williamson would be livid as he tickles one down the leg side off Anderson. It’s all going England’s way. FOW 36/5

Maiden from Wood, who has bowled accurately but hasn’t looked particularly menacing. 

Wood will be given an opportunity after lunch. He has bowled four overs for five runs. 

Williamson goes past John Wright on New Zealand’s all-time run scorers list with a boundary off his hip. He’s now fifth on the list but you feel it’s inevitably Williamson will top it soon enough. Anderson has bowled six overs and has 1 for 13.

It’s very windy out there, flags are blowing around notably. There is no hint of rain. 

England have a golden opportunity to take a stranglehold of the contest after a dominant opening session. New Zealand are reeling at 32/4 but they still have captain Kane Wiliamson at the crease so England have work to do to get a big first innings lead. 

Anderson will get things underway. 

Leach starts with a maiden in his first over in Test cricket.

England are in firm control after brilliant bowling from Anderson and, especially, Broad. That was on the back of a hundred from Jonny Bairstow to cap a memorable session for England – a rarity overseas in recent times. 

We’ll be back at 1.30am BST. 

Jack Leach to come on for the time in Test cricket in the last over before lunch. 

Just two off Anderson’s first in his return. He’s getting it to swing still with this relatively new ball. 

Good to see Jonny Bairstow get a well-deserved 100. Good to see Broad rip through the top order. #NZvENG

— Jack Mendel 🏏 (@JackMendel4) March 30, 2018

Anderson replace Broad, who was superb with 3 for 18 from 7 overs. 

A couple of singles from these two, who are looking to rotate the strike. 

Williamson gets another three – as he clips Broad. A bit of sanity has been restored here in recent overs. 

Wood bowling accurately, just two off the over. He’s bowled three overs for three runs. 

It’s been an eternity since England have had the opposition in tatters overseas. It’s been so common seeing England’s bowlers plundered in the first innings but they have changed things around spectacularly here. 

They will be wary of these two though who are looking to rebuild. 

A car alarm going off in the backdrop is perhaps symbolic of New Zealand’s woe. 

Will someone please sort out that car alarm? #NZvENG

— Simon Hemelryk (@SimonHemelryk) March 30, 2018

Watling gets off the mark with a nice punch off the back foot for three to break Broad’s stranglehold. 

Williamson gets a single off the last ball from Wood to break the shackles. It’s all about survival for New Zealand. 

Broad is back to his blistering best. He’s bowling fast, moving it both ways and, right now, is unstoppable. He has 3 for 10 from 5 overs. 

Stuart Broad goes level with Curtly Ambrose on 405 Test wickets #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/5pVJ1mh04M

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 30, 2018

What a review by Root! Broad gets his third in a throwback performance from him. It pitched on line and trapped Nicholls, who did not move his feet. FOW 17/4

England in firm control – first time in the series. 

Nicholls is hit on the pads by Broad but it’s given not out. 

Good start from Wood, who starts with a maiden. It’s important for him to continue to put the pressure on New Zealand, who are in major trouble. Suddenly 307 looks like an imposing total

Root makes an early change with speedster Mark Wood replacing Anderson. He should be feeling confident after his maiden Test fifty. 

It is the Broad of old here. He’s bowling fast and full – a refreshing change from his bowling in the Ashes which was middling and sedate. 

Looks like @StuartBroad8 has had his weetabix! Rolling back the years with the pace and aggression! #NZvENG #cricket

— (((Kalim))) (@kalim_a) March 30, 2018

Another one! England well on top. Broad gets reward for brilliant full-pitched bowling as Taylor edges to Cook at first slip. New Zealand in tatters. Astonishing stuff. FOW 17/3

Anderson bowling accurately, just two off the over. They would dearly like to get one of these two, who love to bat together and are capable of sticking around for the long haul. 

Broad is steaming in, he’s bowling at 140kmh – notably faster than he has in recent times. Maiden from him, this is excellent stuff from the veteran bowlers. 

Broad and Anderson doing what their counterparts did for New Zealand. 

Eventful over. Anderson gets a wicket and was so close to snaring the prized scalp of Williamson. Taylor has scored a single first ball. 

Riveting Test cricket!

Big lbw shout from Anderson on Williamson was given not out but Root appeals. There was no inside edge but Williamson is just outside the edge and that saves him. That was close!

That’s just looks plum on replay! Snuck outside the line by a feather! #NZvENG

— jay allėn (@jayjay_allen) March 30, 2018

Another one! Beautiful line by Anderson has Jeet Raval nibbling as he gets a faint edge straight to Bairstow. England well on top – who would have thought! FOW 14/2

Wow! Williamson looks in golden touch as he gets another three with a flowing drive through the covers. England just can’t get a number of balls consecutively at him. 

Raval struggling big time but he he gets a confidence boost with a nice straight drive for three – the fourth three already! Plenty of running for the batsmen. 

Broad bending his back and superbly completes the over by beating Williamson twice. 

How is Raval not edging them #NZvENG

— Josh Hughes (@joshhughes1996) March 30, 2018

Attacking from Root with three slips and two fielders at gully for Williamson. But Anderson lets him down with a rare poor delivery down leg and Williamson clips him off for three. The master batsman isn’t going to miss out on those. 

Anderson continues to be all over Raval, who looks like a walking wicket right now. 

Great stuff from Broad and England have Kane Williamson out there nice and early. But the Kiwi captain shows his class and gets a three on the leg-side to open New Zealand’s account. Raval scores his first run to end the over. 

This is a huge 70 minutes before lunch. If England can snare Williamson then they will be well on top. 

What a start! Broad strikes in his first over as he lures Tom Latham into a loose drive and gets the nick. Perfect start for England, who have all the momentum. FOW 0/0

Broad gets it fuller, encourages the drive from Latham and gets the edge. Reward for pitching it up #NZvENG

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) March 30, 2018

Accurate start by Anderson in trademark fashion as he beats Raval thrice in a row outside off stump. Maiden first up by the indefatigable veteran. 

Broad will take it up from the other end. 

Time now for England’s revamped attack to shine.

As always, Jimmy Anderson has the new ball. 

Jonny Bairtow reached his fifth Test century and has given England a fighting chance with help from Mark Wood and Jack Leach after it looked like they wouldn’t make 200. 

Now the bowlers will have to replicate Broad and Southee on what appears a decent batting deck. 

England are all out as Bairstow is finally dismissed, as he holes out to Ross taylor, who completes his 300th international catch. A brilliant knock from Bairstow and he has given England a competitive total although it still feels slightly under par. 

Southee and Boult, once again, claimed all 10 wickets for New Zealand. 

307 all out. Not a huge score but it keeps us in the game I suppose. Come on England, show everyone what you can do with the ball. #NZvENG

— Lee Payne (@ncfclee) March 30, 2018

Anderson survives five deliveries from Southee to give Bairstow the strike for the next over. 

That innings by Jack Leach has already made me love him #NZvENG

— Jack Salvin (@salvin234) March 30, 2018

Leach’s gritty knock ends with a cracker of a delivery from Southee that catches the edge and is caught behind. A very handy 48-run partnership ends and a fine debut innings that from Leach. Southee has six wickets, he’s been brilliant. FOW 307/9

Bairstow gets two singles in the over with the second bringing up a brilliant century. He takes his helmet off and waves his bat to all parts of the ground. Fairly reserved celebration – he knows he still has a job to do here. 

Top knock from @jbairstow21 sorely needed #NZvENG

— Sam Hodgkiss (@Splodgeeman) March 30, 2018

Bairstow scampers a single off the second ball of the over but he now well and truly trusts Leach. Southee bowls well too short and it goes over Watling for four byes. New Zealand have lost the plot since tea on day one. England’s momentum continuing. 

Bairstow will face Boult. Will this be the over?

Come on @englandcricket hopefully a bairstow 💯. get up to 350/60 would be nice 😉#NZvENG

— Craig Hazzard (@Craigps3) March 30, 2018

Leach wants to get on the front foot, so Boult digs it in. The southpaw plays a sharp one well and then Boult digs another far too short and Watling can’t take it cleanly as England scamper two byes. A calculated plan to bowl short here but Boult pitches up and Leach gets a couple. Continuing his heroics, Jack Leach. 

Bairstow will get the strike against Southee once more. 

Bairstow will have to wait a bit longer for his milestone after he plays out a maiden from Southee, who was the main threat on day one with five wickets. 

Leach scores the first runs of day two with a leg glance off a wayward Boult delivery. He digs out a yorker to end the over. Leach is a very impressive No.10.

Southee to take it up at the other end with Bairstow on strike, needing just three for a memorable hundred. 

Players are out in the middle and this crucial day is about to start

Boult has the ball in his hands. 

Ready for Day 2. Predictions? #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/Y27tbqNJPi

— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) March 30, 2018

Australia played for the first time since the saga that has claimed Steve Smith, David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and coach Darren Lehmann. 

On day one of the fourth Test, a subdued Australia had their first steps to redemption with a fairly muted performance lacking their trademark bravado and intimidation. 

South Africa finished 313/6 but lost four wickets in the final session. 

You feel England will be targeting 350, which looks about par on a pitch that should get better to bat on. They have a bit more firepower in the attack with Wood and Leach playing but batting should be at its best on day two.

Where to bat Bairstow is a dilemma for England after his brilliant 97 not out on day one. He’s arguably England’s second best batsman after Joe Root but the brains trust seem reluctant to bat him in the top 5 or as a specialist batsman. 

Fortunately, he was not stranded this time as the tail wagged but that’s not going to happen every time. 

Nasser says he would like to see Bairstow bat at No.5. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/rhXQO98Cvl

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) March 30, 2018

Hello Tristan Lavalette here and welcome to day two. After the one-sided nature of the first Test, day one was an even affair following a rousing England comeback led by Jonny Bairstow, who is just three short of a memorable hundred. England will be hoping to push on to at least 350.

Play will start at 11pm BST