ENG vs NZ, 1st Test, Day 4, Review: New Zealand firmly on top after Henry Nicholls' ton

Finally, after two days of relentless rain, there was some action on the field at Eden Park in Auckland. New Zealand exerted their dominance further on the game as Henry Nicholls notched up a well-deserved ton with the visitors looking hapless. Though they batted gamely in their second essay with the skipper Joe Root leading from the front only to get out on the last ball of the day. However, it would not be easy for them as the hosts would be keen to wrap up the game as early as possible.

Earlier in the morning, the unbeaten duo of Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling strode out to the middle in order to extend their lead and also had to score quickly in order to win the game. They did the same by going against the bowlers from the word go after getting their eyes in. Though the latter was scalped by Stuart Broad only to bring the aggressive Colin de Grandhomme to the crease. He scored a quickfire knock of 29 off with 5 fours and a solitary maximum.

Nicholls’ heroic century

Meanwhile, Henry Nicholls was batting beautifully even as few wickets fell around him. He notched up his well-deserved century and then launched an assault on England bowlers who were duly waiting for declaration it seemed. The likes of Todd Astle and Tim Southee also had some fun in the middle as they supported Nicholls well. Finally, the hosts decided to declare their innings on 427 runs for the loss of 8 wickets with a huge lead of 369 runs in their kitty.

Nicholls remained unbeaten on 145 with 18 fours to his name with Neil Wagner who scored 9 runs. James Anderson and Broad were the pick of the bowler for the visitors as they scalped 3 wickets each with Joe Root and Craig Overton picking one each.

England fight

England needed a tremendous effort from their top order to save the Test match despite rain ruining the game over the last couple of days. But the veteran Alastair Cook failed yet again, this time to an innocuous delivery down the leg-side from Trent Boult. The fears of yet another deadly collapse resurfaced, but the skipper Joe Root and Mark Stoneman played really well to defy the New Zealand bowlers who were breathing fire with every ball.

Both added 88 runs for the second wicket as Neil Wagner scalped a well-set Stoneman with a well-directed bouncer on 55. Dawid Malan then joined his skipper as the duo looked set to end the day for their team only for Root to be hit on his fingers. He was in huge pain and more agony followed for England as he was dismissed by Boult on the very next delivery after which umpires decided to call stumps for the day. Root once again failed to convert his half-century into a big one as England finished the day on 132/3 and trailing by a massive 237 runs to save the match.

New Zealand would be aiming to wrap things up on the final day even as the tourists would be looking to fight it out and save the Test match. A fascinating day is on the cards for the cricket fans with the Kiwis likely to end the game was the deserved winners.

Brief Scores

England 58 after 20.4 overs (C Overton 33*; T Boult 6/32, T Southee 4/25) & 132/3 after 46.5 overs (M Stoneman 55, J Root 51; T Boult 2/24)

New Zealand 427/8dec after 141 overs (H Nicholls 145*, K Williamson 102; S Broad 3/73, J Anderson 3/87)

State of the match: England trail by 237 runs