NZ vs ENG: 2nd Test Day 3 Review- Advantage England with two days in store

Some superlative bowling by James Anderson and Stuart Broad pulled back proceedings for England on the second day. However, Colin de Grandhomme and BJ Watling’s vigil resurrected the stutter by the hosts. Both teams fought tooth and nail on the third day, but England currently find themselves in a comfortable position at the close of play on the third day.

Watling and Tim Southee were the overnight batsmen and were required to take his team closer to England’s first innings score. Nevertheless, Tim Southee stomped in and smashed the bowlers to all corners of the ground. He was disdainful in his stroke-making, which started the on a blistering note for the Black Caps.

Southee and tail-enders take New Zealand closer

On the other hand, Watling couldn’t add many runs to his overnight score. James Anderson dished out a graceful out-swinger which turned out to be too hot to handle for the wicket-keeper batsman. Ish Sodhi perished thereafter to Stuart Broad. Meanwhile, England still trailed by 76 runs, which could’ve turned out to be a decisive margin in the context of the game.

Meanwhile, Southee racked his fourth half-century in Tests. However, he was cleaned up by James Anderson with the hosts still requiring 68 runs. Nevertheless, number ten and Jack weren’t ready to drop the gun just yet. Wagner and Boult paired up exceptionally with the leather and they frustrated the English bowlers to a partnership of 39 runs as the Kiwis’ innings were bundled out for 278 runs.

Cook departs early, but England steady

New Zealand had to wait for eight overs for their opening wicket as Trent Boult dismissed Alistair Cook for yet another cheap score. The ball found Cook’s outside-edge and his horror run in the series continued. James Vince joined Mark Stoneman for the second wicket partnership and the duo went about their business pretty smoothly, which most importantly added to England’s lead.

At the end of the post-lunch session, the lead stretched to 142 runs with nine wickets left in the kitty for England. Vince faltered in the first innings, but hit the right chords, much to the delight of the visitors. He reached his third half-century in Tests as the hosts found themselves in some sort of trouble. Stoneman also staved off the New Zealand’s bowlers with expertise.

The upper hand definitely rests with England

Mark Stoneman accomplished his half-century, just after the commencement of the post-tea session. Meanwhile, Vince and Stoneman notched a stand of 123 runs, however, England were struck with a couple of body blows. Both batsmen perished in quick succession, which reignited New Zealand’s confidence of making a strong comeback.

While Southee accounted for Stoneman’s demise, Boult nipped out Vince with another peach of a delivery. Nevertheless, Joe Root and Dawid Malan played risk-free cricket and ended the day on a positive note for England. Meanwhile, Joe Root would be hoping to convert his start into a decent score and help the visitors pile on a massive lead for New Zealand to chase in the fourth innings.

Brief Scores

England: 307 all out  in 96.5 overs; Jonathan Bairstow 101, Mark Wood 52; Tim Southee 6/62, Trent Boult 4/87

New Zealand: 278 all out in 93.3 overs; BJ Watling 85, Colin de Grandhomme 72; Stuart Broad 6/54, James Anderson 4/76

England 202/3 in 66 overs; James Vince 76, Mark Stoneman 60; Trent Boult 2/38, Tim Southee 1/42

England lead by 231 runs

Stumps Day 3

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