Overview
- New Zealand were 291 for 7 at stumps on Wednesday after Joe Root won the toss at the Kia Oval and chose to bowl first.
- England’s hastily reassembled pace unit made early inroads with Matthew Fisher removing Devon Conway and Jofra Archer taking Tom Latham’s wicket.
- Three England debutants featured: fast bowler Sonny Baker claimed two wickets on debut and wicketkeeper James Rew and batter Jordan Cox were handed caps.
- Tom Blundell (51), Daryl Mitchell (44) and an unbeaten Glenn Phillips (49*) rebuilt New Zealand’s innings with key stands of 81 and 75.
- Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson remain unavailable while an ECB investigation continues so selection uncertainty will affect England’s lineup and leadership for the rest of the series.