Stumps on day two. Most of the day was washed out, but Kane Williamson got his century (and he now holds the NZ record for most Test centuries) before Jimmy Anderson claimed his wicket. 229/4.
Meanwhile in the Third Test at Cape Town, Elgar dragged SA to 311 all out. He carried his bat, the third time he has done this, ending 141 not out.
Australia are 61/2 in reply. Warner hit five boundaries in a row off Rabada, before he castled him with the sixth!
Cameron Bancroft has been charged by the match referees for tampering with the ball. TV cameras spotted him use a small yellow object on the rough side. When it became apparent that he'd been spotted, Bancroft put the object down his trousers. The umpires asked what he was using, and he took a piece of cloth from his pocket. On close of play, the match referees looked closely at the footage and charged him, prompting Smith and Bancroft to confess at the press conference (they had initially refused to appear).
The Australians knew they'd been caught red-handed and any attempt to deny it would result in a bigger punishment than the one they'd get for immediately admitting it.
"Smith added: "We made a poor choice. We deeply regret our actions. Coaches weren't involved. It was purely the players in the leadership group.
"I can promise you it won't happen again. It's the first time this has happened."
Smith and Warner have stepped down from their captaincy and vice-captaincy roles for the remainder of the Third Test. SA are still batting in the second innings, with a lead of 363 and four wickets still in hand.
Meanwhile in NZ, the weather has cleared and they got a full day's play. NZ declared on 427/8 and England are 132/3 in reply at stumps on day four, still 237 runs shy of making NZ bat again. England will need to bat out the final day, or knock off the 237, to save the game.
Cricket Australia has now suspended Smith. Hard to believe the whole sequence of events and what they were thinking. The fact it was planned in advance does make you wonder if they've done it before and got away with it.
Unfortunate for England that Root got out last ball. More unfortunate for Ireland that they didn't beat Afghan and miss out on the World Cup. Very disappointing.
Cricket Australia has now suspended Smith. Hard to believe the whole sequence of events and what they were thinking. The fact it was planned in advance does make you wonder if they've done it before and got away with it.
Unfortunate for England that Root got out last ball. More unfortunate for Ireland that they didn't beat Afghan and miss out on the World Cup. Very disappointing.
It was the ICC that suspended Smith for one Test match and fined him 100% of his match fee. Bancroft will lose 75%. A weak response from the ICC. Cricket Australia's punishment will be heavier, I suspect.
NZ have beaten England by an innings and 49 runs in the First Test. Half centuries from Stoneman, Root, Stokes and Woakes were ultimately not enough.
Some serious questions to be asked about England. Their Test form is consistently poor, with this match being the nadir of a terrible winter. Their batsmen aren't scoring big runs and there is no pace in the bowling department.
Cricket Australia just held a press conference. The three players involved are facing heavy sanctions to be announced tomorrow. Darren Lehmann will continue as coach.
The latter I find very strange, as the footage of him was damning.
Cricket Australia have stated it was sandpaper not sticky tape used. So that initial press conference on day four wasn't entirely truthful.
"Warner has been painted in the worst light, with Cricket Australia stating that the vice-captain was behind the plan, and instructed Bancroft to scuff the ball using sandpaper - not sticky tape, as previously claimed - with additional advice on how to do so during the 322-run defeat to South Africa in Cape Town.
"Smith was privy to this but did not prevent it and, along with Bancroft, deliberately misled the on-field umpires when they stepped in. Both players are also noted to have misled the public in their post-play press conference, while Warner is accused of not being truthful with the match referee."
Stumps on Day One of the Second Test between England and NZ. NZ won the toss and put England in to bat. Cook was bowled for two, Vince lbw for 18... story of the summer. England collapses to 95/5 and 164/7 before Mark Wood and Jonny Bairstow put on a good partnership. Bairstow was 97 not out at the close of play, England 290/8.
I think this Test may spell the end of Cook and Vince's Test careers.
So england lost yet another test then? Perhaps they should try rubbing the ball with sandpaper!!
It's only day one, Bill. Unless you're referring to the last Test, where they were indeed hammered.
Seeing as you won't be watching the World Cup this summer, perhaps you can watch our home series against Pakistan, and you can try and learn some appreciation for the sport
