England made good start despite Stokes' absence

England made good start despite Stokes' absenceTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, 'How did that get there?!' - Bethell's brilliant catch removes LathamByStephan ShemiltCricket Correspondent at The OvalPublished17 June 2026, 19:04 BST5 CommentsUpdated 5 minutes agoSecond Rothesay Test, The Kia Oval (day one of five)New Zealand 291-7: Blundell 51, Phillips 49*; Bethell 2-8, Baker 2-63England: Yet to batEngland won the tossScorecardEngland attempted to move on from the Ben Stokes controversy with a solid opening day of the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval.Captain Stokes and pace bowler Gus Atkinson are unavailable pending an investigation into an incident in a London nightclub following England's win in the first Test.Without them, an England team captained by Joe Root, with five changes from the first Test and including three debutants, worked hard to leave New Zealand 291-7 at the close on a true batting surface.The efforts justified Root's decision to field first on a damp, humid morning. Sonny Baker, one of the trio of new caps, picked up 2-63 and Jofra Archer was unlucky to claim only one wicket - he bowled a rapid and exhilarating spell late in the day.Glenn Phillips was the unfortunate recipient of Archer's thunderbolts, somehow surviving to reach 49 not out. At the other end, Jacob Bethell burgled two wickets with his left-arm spin.Daryl Mitchell, who was dropped on two, made 44 and Tom Blundell 51, but a number of the tourists' top order were guilty of wasting good starts.'Travesty' if Stokes doesn't captain England again - VaughanPublished3 hours agoQuiz: Name England's 20 debutants under McCullumPublished7 hours agoBack on the field after extraordinary weekTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Fisher removes Conway for nine on Test returnFollowin...