England make good start despite Stokes' absence
England, without captain Ben Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson after an off-field incident, ended the first day of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval with the tourists at 291-7.
England managed to put aside the controversy surrounding Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson as they made a solid start to the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. With Stokes and Atkinson unavailable pending an investigation into a nightclub incident after the first Test, Joe Root took over the captaincy.
Root won the toss and chose to field on a damp, humid morning, a decision that was justified by the end of the day as New Zealand reached 291-7 on a pitch that offered good batting conditions. England made five changes from the first Test, including three debutants: Sonny Baker, James Rew, and Jordan Cox.
Baker, a fast bowler, took 2-63, while left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell claimed two late wickets to leave New Zealand in a precarious position. Jofra Archer bowled a rapid spell but was unlucky to finish with only one wicket, as Glenn Phillips survived to remain 49 not out. Daryl Mitchell made 44 and Tom Blundell 51, but several New Zealand batsmen failed to convert promising starts.
Root, captaining for the first time in over four years, was energetic, often consulting vice-captain Harry Brook. England used aggressive field placements, including eight catchers around the bat when Brook bowled his medium pace. The home side now have a chance to win the series from this position.
