NZ vs ENG, 1st Test, Day 2 Twitter Reaction: Rain trumps as New Zealand stretch lead

The opening day of the historic Day/Night Test between New Zealand and England was a witness to the carnage by the Kiwis bowlers. Joe Root’s men crumbled like a house of cards as the likes of Trent Boult and Tim Southee ripped the heart of their batting lineup. There was an instance when England was on the brink of being bowled out for their lowest Test score.

However, some lusty blows by Chris Overton entertained the crowned and saved England from the embarrassment. New Zealand came out to bat and ended the day with a lead of 117 runs. Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls were the overnight batsmen. Williamson raced away to his 18th half-century in Tests and therefore emerged as the highest century-maker for New Zealand in Tests.

Rain has the last laugh

Soon after, the rain arrived and the play was halted for an hour. Williamson perished soon after the resumption of play as he was trapped in front by a vicious in-swinger by James Anderson. After an hour, the rain returned and persisted long enough for play to be called off. The relentless rain played hide and seek, which added to the agony of the players.

There were quite a few inspections following which the umpires were forced to abandon play for the day. Despite the downpour, the hosts have the upper hand in the game owing to their stupendous performance in the opening day itself. They are currently leading by 171 runs with six first-innings wickets in hand.

Henry Nicholls has telecasted grit and is standing one run short of a half-century. BJ Watling, the Kiwi wicket-keeper who made a comeback, scorched three glorious boundaries to remain not out on 17 runs off 20 balls. Meanwhile, England has switched on the damage-control mode and would be hoping to pick some early wickets tomorrow morning when play starts half an hour early at 1:30 pm Local Time.

Here’s how Twitterati reacted after a dull day of cricket

Congratulations to Kane Williamson on becoming the highest Test century maker in the history of New Zealand cricket. Done it so quietly, at just 27 years of age. If anyone deserved this, it was Kane. Always a joy to watch him bat. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/xQk8rmPFsh

— Rahul Singh (@Rahulsiioo) March 23, 2018

New Zealand vs England / Day Night Test
Play has been called off for Day 2, due to rain and wet ground. Early start tomorrow and all the way through to the end of the Test
NZ 229/4
Eng 58#NZvENG #Cricket pic.twitter.com/W8gp46syIF

— Irshad Ali (@irshadaajnews) March 23, 2018

No doubt Kane Williamson is a great batsman of this era but somehow I feel like he plays only for century or he loses his Concentration after 100 (I can't figure out the prob btwn these 2) as we saw it in last ODI vs Eng and here in this test too.#NZvENG

— #KohliJChale (@KohliJChale) March 23, 2018

Just 3 more days rain in New Zealand would be good #NZvENG

— Ian Foster (@Fozzie040388) March 23, 2018

Congratulations to Kane Williamson on becoming the highest Test century maker in the history of New Zealand cricket. Done it so quietly, at just 27 years of age. If anyone deserved this, it was Kane. Always a joy to watch him bat. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/AdXfXNQ9JD

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 23, 2018

Modern cricket shouldn't be umpires doing a pitch inspection at 9pm on a Friday night in front of us souls who should have gone home a long time ago. #NZvENG @tms pic.twitter.com/zNIYXaaD2P

— Matt (@M0_wen) March 23, 2018

Rain ends play on day two of the second Test between New Zealand and England early.

The Kiwis are 229-4 in their first innings, 171 runs ahead of England.

Not looking good for Joe Root's boys???#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/aXwn9SmLAM

— Mr Green Sport (@MrGreenSport) March 23, 2018

A frustrating day in Auckland. Just 23.1 overs for the day before rain had the last laugh. New Zealand finish Day 2 at 229/4, leading by 171 runs #NZvENG

— Live (@CricketUrdu) March 23, 2018

A frustrating day in Auckland. Just 23.1 overs for the day before rain had the last laugh. New Zealand finish Day 2 at 229/4, leading by 171 runs #NZvENG

— mahalakshmi Indian (@mahalakshmi3117) March 23, 2018

Nice to meet #edsheeran during the rain break ?. #pinkball #nzvseng @ Eden Park https://t.co/7tPA1abC7d

— Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) March 23, 2018

RT benjones_13: For fans of rain-related crossing of fingers, only two teams have ever made been dismissed for a lower score than England's 58, and then gone on to *not* lose the match. The games in question were in 1902 and 1887. #NZvENG

— #MS Dhoni Big Fans (@MSD_Lover) March 23, 2018

18 seems like a very low number for all time highest centuries for a country #NZvENG #kanewilliamson

— mash fan (@bommasandra) March 23, 2018

Cmon Foxtel 503. The #NZvENG Test is washed out so just put on #IREvAFG rather than repeats of Legends of Cricket interviews. We want to watch @Irelandcricket & @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/UKohuVUMUZ

— Larry Leprechaun (@LarryLeprechau) March 23, 2018

It's embarrassing when England fans buzzing that rain ruined play… We are utter disgrace garbage yesterday bowled out for 58 ffs. #NZvENG

— RED DOG ?? (@NFFCMANN) March 23, 2018

Evidently outfield to wet !! Where’s the blow dryers….Gutted #NZvENG

— Darren Thomson (@ukdazz) March 23, 2018

For fans of rain-related crossing of fingers, only two teams have ever made been dismissed for a lower score than England's 58, and then gone on to *not* lose the match. The games in question were in 1902 and 1887. #NZvENG

— Ben Jones (@benjones_13) March 23, 2018

Rain limits Black Caps' progress, but they remain well in front in day-night test #NZvENG https://t.co/tbFahxIsDN

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) March 23, 2018

NO MORE PLAY TODAY. YoU FUCKING FUCKING FUCKING WANKERS. Do you have no regard for alternative commentary commentators working through the night at the end of the longest tour in living memory and surviving on sugar!!! #NZVENG. Could have made that decision hours ago.

— Guerilla Cricket (@guerillacricket) March 23, 2018

Play has been abandoned… We’ll be back at 1.25pm tomorrow on @skysportnz 3 & @iHeartRadioNZ #NZvENG #PinkBallYellowButton pic.twitter.com/6AE1TH7jFq

— #PinkBallYellowButton (@TheACCnz) March 23, 2018