1.29pm Here we go. Two slips and a gully in place. Southee is over the wicket.
Dee: "Very brave call 270 odd in 70 overs in age of t20s ….hope England goes for it to make it interesting."
Finn: "Dont u just love this NZ cricket team! They could have come out after lunch and been conservative but they are going for the win. Fairplay to Williamson, but it gives England a chance as well. Test cricket (how good)"
1.20pm New Zealand have declared. Southee and Jamieson outside warming up. England need 273 to win in two sessions. A minimum of 75 overs left in the day on paper. Play can go on till 7 pm.
Badhat: "Drizzle? There's sunshine in West London. Is there a cartoon cloud right over Lord's?" -- Evidently.
suleyman shah: "and THIS, folks, is why we need 5 day Test matches. Even with a day of rain, this match hangs delicately in the balance and if NZ decide to declare soon then we could have a real contest on our hands."
Ayush Beria: "I admire New Zealand's intent today and they obviously want to go for a win but cannot understand why Watling was sent ahead of CDG santner Jamieson and even Southee. He is trying but it's just not his game to be aggressive in tests. CDG already showing what he got. " -- With spread-out fields in declaration situations, you can actually score quite quickly without playing a lot of big shots. Watling hasn't struggled to score or anything, and New Zealand went at around 5 an over through most of that session.
sukrit gupta: "Am I the only one who sometimes ends up mispronouncing it as Grandmom instead of Grandhomme? :p"
12.47pm And they're going off the field now, with the drizzle intensifying. The umpires have also decided to call for an early lunch break. Some banter between the England players and CdG as the players walk off the field. Let's hope the rain goes away soon, and we don't lose any overs.
Matthew: "Finally! The Mullet makes his Grand(homme) entrance!"
Alan Hardy: ""everyone's favourite cricketer, Colin de Grandhomme." Why favourite?" -- Because that's what the law mandates.
END OF OVER:52 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ: 162/6
- BJ Watling15 (26b)
- Colin de Grandhomme2 (2b)
- Joe Root4-0-16-1
- James Anderson15-3-37-0
Here is everyone's favourite cricketer, Colin de Grandhomme. Root goes over the wicket.
HM Nicholls c Burns b Root 23 (52m 36b 2x4 0x6) SR: 63.88
Root continues. A lot of grumbling about New Zealand's tactics, but they've scored 50 in the last 10 overs.
END OF OVER:51 | 2 Runs | NZ: 159/5
- BJ Watling14 (23b)
- Henry Nicholls23 (35b)
- James Anderson15-3-37-0
- Joe Root3-0-13-0
Greg: "Why On Earth am I hearing the England fielders calling Ollie Pope 'Popey' when there are so many excellent Pope-related nicknames available - such as Pius, or Innocent, JP, or even Benedict? Oh ye of little imagination etc etc..."
A couple of umbrellas go up in the crowd. Another variable thrown into the mix. Anderson brings in a second slip for Watling.
END OF OVER:50 | 1 Run | NZ: 157/5
- Henry Nicholls22 (34b)
- BJ Watling13 (18b)
- Joe Root3-0-13-0
- James Anderson14-3-35-0