2nd day of Test – normal service is resumed

My neighbour was not alone in his disappointment regarding the first day – whilst eventful, not real Test cricket.

Technique looked way short of the requirements at this level and so many wickets fell that it seemed unlikely the Test would go the full 5 days.

Yesterday New Zealand patiently amassed 236 – 4 and a lead of 227.  Now England have had a daunting task to save the Test.

By the afternoon when the hum had turned to a drink-induced louder murmur and this correspondent – and others – were in the land of nod.  Meeting someone later I was quite happy to leave at tea.

It was that sort of game.

With no swing nor seam, England felt the lack of the pace and hostility of Jofra Archer and rued the injuries to the  others pace bowlers.

Chris Woakes might have stemmed the batting collapse too.

Nor do we have a Graeme Swann -a spinner who can deliver.

I watched Matt Parkinson and the tourists have nothing to fear there on a docile wicket.