Ollie Pope and Alex Lees impress but England still have a mountain to climb

England have been as good as Ben Stokes’s word. They may have conceded a mammoth first-innings total after putting New Zealand in to bat but it did not spark a full-scale retreat. 

Instead they batted with the positive intent he demands and, while they enjoyed some luck, they were not overawed and could serve up a Sunday treat for a Trent Bridge full house on Saturday.

Ollie Pope has a half century and Alex Lees continues to be more assertive, reaching his highest Test score by the close. They have a start but both were dropped in the slips and England are still 463 behind, reliant today on a batting order with just one player, Joe Root, in any kind of Test match form.

Pope pulled two sixes, and drove gloriously at times on the way to his first fifty at No 3 but was dropped on 37 and flirted with danger outside off stump. He punched his way out of trouble after being tied down for three maidens by pulling Matt Henry for two sixes and if he can settle this morning, he has a glorious chance on a flat pitch and fast outfield to lay down a marker at No 3.

Zak Crawley was caught behind for the 20th single-figure score of his 41 innings Test career, done this time by a good ball rather than a big drive, a reminder of why you have to make the most of starts in Test cricket, but England grafted for their 90 for one as New Zealand swung the ball more than at any stage in the game whereas in the past they have crumbled quickly under the weight of scoreboard pressure.

Only twice before have opponents made more than New Zealand’s 553 after being sent in by England but Stokes is not the type to dwell on decisions. He was relaxed enough to sign autographs while fielding on the leg side boundary. Who says the Test captaincy is