England vs New Zealand: The home side started well despite the presence of Ben Stokes

Second Rothesay Test, Kia Oval (first day of five)

New Zealand 291-7: Blundell 51, Phillips 49*; Bethel 2-8, Baker 2-63

England: Still batting

England won the toss

Scorecard

England tried to move on from the Ben Stokes controversy on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.

Captain Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are unavailable to investigate an incident at a London nightclub following England’s win in the first Test.

Without them, an England side led by Joe Root, with five changes and three debutants from the first Test, struggled to leave New Zealand at 291-7 on a real batting surface.

The effort justified Root’s first fielding decision on a damp, humid morning. Sonny Baker, one of a trio of new caps, took 2-63 and Jofra Archer was unlucky to claim just one wicket – he bowled a quick and delightful spell towards the end of the day.

Glenn Phillips was the unfortunate recipient of Archer’s thunderbolt, somehow surviving to remain unbeaten on 49. At the other end, Jacob Bethel took two wickets with his left-arm spin.

Darryl Mitchell, who fell for two runs, made 44 and Tom Blundell 51, but a number of the visitors’ top order were guilty of spoiling good starts.