Late strikes give Kiwis the upper-hand on Day-2 of the 2nd Test Match between England and New Zealand

Late strikes give Kiwis the upper-hand on Day-2 of the 2^nd Test Match between England and New Zealand: New Zealand resumed the day 2 with freewheel adding 53 runs to their overnight total in just 7.1 overs. Henry playing his second test clobbered Ben Stokes for a boundary off the fourth ball of the day and put Stuart Broad into the stands over deep midwicket before nicking another short delivery through to the keeper. He also managed to top-edge one pull into his own helmet and away for a couple more runs – a stroke well known of New Zealand’s fearless approach.

Boult the last man joined Mark Criag to lash another 40 runs for the last wicket. With the Poms going all guns blazing for a wicket rather than holding the batsmen. And with the Kiwis looking to get runs of whatever was thrown on them. Left-hand batsman Craig struck some brilliant blows going over the fence. Boult too tired to slog off one only get caught at point, to give pacer Stuart Broad another 5 for in test cricket.

England openers Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth started it off cautiously with the new ball. The New Zealand bowlers were trying to test the England openers bowling the off-stump line but the two negotiated the moving ball with ease. Both were like a picture-of-patience at the crease and once the new ball was seen through, their confidence started to grow as the innings progressed. Cook soon took the honors and surpasses Graham Gooch to become England’s all time highest runs scorer in test and raised his bat to the dressing room.

Cook and Lyth put on a 177 run opening stand not before the English skipper was trapped plumb in front for 77. Lyth’s first significant innings at International cricket was more fluent than his skipper. The Yorkshire-man soon brought up his maiden test century to become only the second opener from the county to score a test century on this ground. But a sudden mix-up cut Lyth’s inning short for a well compiled 107.

Still at 236/2 and with the second new ball due, England held all the aces. Trent Boult and Tim Southee frustrated with the lack of swing until then suddenly had the conditions in their favor. Ballance’s poor technique was cruelly exposed by Boult while Root received an unplayable delivery from Southee. The match was suddenly in the balance. Ian Bell and Ben Stokes survived some tense moments but the latter was dismissed by Boult in the penultimate over of the day- to hand New Zealand the initiative, with the home side still trailing by 97 runs at stumps day-2.

Brief Score:

(New Zealand 350 all out) (Mark Craig 41 not out, Stuart Board 5-107)

(England 253/5) (Adam Lyth 107, Alastair Cook 77, Trent Boult 2-63)