3.34 pm An hour and 34 minutes. That's all the England innings lasted against a masterclass from Trent Boult and Tim Southee. There were moments - long, nervy moments - when the lowest Test total in history was under threat. And wouldn't that have been sweet symmetry - New Zealand were bowled out for 26 by England at this ground in 1955 and they looked set to turn the tables until Craig Overton, at No. 9, came out swinging. The 10th wicket secured 31 runs. The previous nine only managed 27.
But really, avoiding that is small consolation when England have been eyeing this tour as the start of a time when they'd sort out their difficulty playing overseas. Joe Root said he wanted to bat this morning. He pushed himself to No. 3. Ben Stokes was back. There were really promising signs. All the way up to the point when Boult was given that shiny new pink ball. Like a greedy kid with a brand new toy, he bowled 11 overs on the trot and finished with 6 for 32, a personal best. And some of those wickets he took were breathtakingly good, trapping both Root and Alastair Cook and then confounding Stokes with sheer pace.
samraat: "10 wickets in less than 21 Overs How many wickets in fall in Day 1???? 20-25? 17 i would say (expecting NZ to bat better)"
Southee too was ridiculously good, finishing with 4 for 25 in 10 unchanged overs, marking only the 15th occasion in Test cricket that only two bowlers were needed to knock over the entire opposition.
Dhaval : "Anderson wouldn't be too disappointed to get out. In fact he would be more than pleased. It's his turn to show NZ what he's got. This is going to be fun. "
Cijo: "Ohh !!! I had a few tickets for the 3rd day !!! "
JM Anderson c Nicholls b Boult 1 (21m 11b 0x4 0x6) SR: 9.09
END OF OVER:20 | 6 Runs | ENG: 58/9
- Craig Overton33 (25b)
- James Anderson1 (7b)
- Tim Southee10-3-25-4
- Trent Boult10-3-32-5
England 10th wicket partnership now 29*. First nine wickets put on 27!
Oshada: "There's a serious chance for one of the oldest records in Tests to fall today. If Overton finishes with a few more runs Charles Bannerman's highest individual proportion of an innings total (67.35%) is in danger. He's at 56.90% as I type..."
salim: "I think Putin is behind this disaster. "
Tim Southee into his 10th straight over.
END OF OVER:19 | 8 Runs | ENG: 52/9
- James Anderson1 (7b)
- Craig Overton27 (19b)
- Trent Boult10-3-32-5
- Tim Southee9-3-19-4
David: "Dave Fern, SA lost 9 for 47 runs, bowled Aus out for 47 runs, and went on to win a test. There is always a way back on this type of wicket."
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs | ENG: 44/9
- Craig Overton20 (16b)
- James Anderson1 (4b)
- Tim Southee9-3-19-4
- Trent Boult9-3-25-5
Duffman: "5 wicket maidens (so far). I can't get Statsguru to tell me what the record is, can you get the stats folk onto it?" ---- Oh they're screaming their heads off right now
Dave Fern : "You know you are in serious trouble when your number 9 batsman outscores every other player in the team. Seriously shocking stuff from England. Is there any way back after such a start?"
Pete: "If Anderson can survive, Overton has to be eyeing the oldest record in international sport - Bannerman's percentage of team innings runs from the first ever Test. "
END OF OVER:17 | 12 Runs | ENG: 39/9
- Craig Overton16 (12b)
- James Anderson0 (2b)
- Trent Boult9-3-25-5
- Tim Southee8-3-14-4