Jacob Bethell claims late New Zealand wickets as England end first day of second Test at The Oval on high | Cricket News

Jacob Bethell and debutant Sonny Baker took two wickets apiece as England reduced New Zealand to 291-7 at stumps on day one of the second Test at the Kia Oval.

Bethell (2-8) removed Tom Blundell and Nathan Smith in the final hour of the final session to ensure England ended on a positive note after early success with the ball had threatened to turn into frustration.

Baker (2-63) had been the pick of England’s bowlers until Bethell’s late intervention, claiming two wickets on his Test debut after Joe Root, deputising for Ben Stokes – who was stood down following his involvement in a nightclub incident after England’s first Test win at Lord’s – won the toss and put the Kiwis into bat.

The decision initially paid dividends, with New Zealand 75-2 at lunch – after Matt Fisher ended a four-year wait for a Test wicket and a sensational Jacob Bethell catch handed Jofra Archer a wicket on his return – and 106-4 ten overs into the afternoon session when Josh Tongue and Baker struck.

Blundell (51 off 84) pieced together partnerships of 81 and 75 with Daryl Mitchell (44 off 74) and Glenn Phillips (44 not out off 65) to stabilise New Zealand’s innings, with the Black Caps threatening to carry that momentum through to the close before Bethell’s intervention.

Bethell’s five-over spell worked in tandem with some nasty short stuff from Archer to curtail New Zealand’s scoring and leave the Test finely poised.

More to follow.

England vs New Zealand – results and schedule

All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports

• First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runs
• Second Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)
• Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)

Watch the day two of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket on June 18 from 10am (first ball 11am).