New Zealand vs England: 2nd Test, Day 1, Review- Bairstow and Wood steady the ship after pacers carnage

From England’s perspective the opening Test was nothing less than forgettable. England was demolished on the morning of the first day itself after which they couldn’t recover. Even the rain gods couldn’t defy an English heist. The pacers dictated terms against a hapless bunch of English batsmen. The story wasn’t any different even this time around as the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee wreaked havoc to leave England in the shambles.

However, unlike the previous time, there was resistance from the lower order. On the eve of the Test, while Joe Root’s men tried to garner some sort of momentum, New Zealand wanted to carry forward their winning momentum. The pitch at Hagley Oval in Christchurch was conducive to fast bowling and quite expectantly Kane Williamson had no hesitation whatsoever in electing to field first and it paid dividends right from the outset.

Kiwis strike, but England steady

The start wasn’t an auspicious one by any means as Alistair Cook was cleaned up by Trent Boult for another low score. However, Mark Stoneman and James Vince played cautiously to see off the new ball. Nevertheless, Vince, after doing the hard yards, was trapped in front by Tim Southee. The decision was immediately reviewed, but umpire’s call ensured the Vince had to walk back.

Meanwhile, Stoneman looked determined to weather the storm. Joe Root joined him for the third wicket-stand and the duo played out the remaining overs before lunch. Root played some scorching strokes which ensured that the Kiwis are kept at bay. The partnership didn’t look ominous, but was gradually building a platform the English team.

Hosts clinch the ascendancy  

Root and Stoneman carried on in their own merry way and brought up an useful half-century stand. However, just when it was perceived that England is getting the hosts on the mat, a flurry of wickets changed the complexion of the game. Joe Root was castled by Southee, when the Englishman attempted to play a booming cover drive only to see his stumps rattle.

Dawid Malan succumbed for a golden duck and became Boult’s second victim and horror of horrors, Stoneman was sent packing by Southee as well. From a position of strength, England, all of a sudden, looked down the barrel. The onus was on Ben Stokes and Jonathan Bairstow to resurrect the innings after the stutter and the duo carved a fifty-run stand to see off the session for England.

Bairstow and Wood save the day for England

The final session started on a horrendous note for England as they lost Ben Stokes, just when he threatened to take the game away from the hosts. The left-handed batsman feathered the leather into BJ Watling’s webbings off Trent Boult. Stuart Broad was Southee’s fourth victim as they hosts were set for yet another dominating display of skills with the red cherry with 30 overs left in the day.

Nevertheless, Mark Wood and Bairstow played stupendously and shepherded the visitors to some sort of respectability. Bairstow accomplished his eighteenth half-century and is currently standing on the verge of his fifth century in Test cricket. On the other hand, Mark Wood trod an aggressive route and spanked the Kiwis to all corners of the ground.

Meanwhile, he also brought up his maiden half-century in Test cricket. The Bairstow-Wood stand notched 95 runs off 108 balls, which kept the New Zealand bowlers at bay for quite a while. However, Tim Southee racked up yet another five-wicket haul with the wicket of Wood. Jack Leach joined Bairstow and showed nerves of steel to end England’s day without further hiccups.

Brief Scores

England 290/8 in 90 overs; Jonathan Bairstow 97*, Mark Wood 52; Tim Southee 5/60, Trent Boult 3/79

Stumps Day 1