Twitter Reactions: Kane Williamson smacks fifty; England and New Zealand share honours

England and New Zealand shared the honours on day two of the ongoing first Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. After losing wickets in a heap in the first session, the visitors struck at regular intervals to ensure New Zealand do not take the upper hand. At the end of the day, New Zealand were 144 for 4, still trailing England’s first innings total by 209 runs.

After bowling out England for 353, New Zealand started their innings on a shaky note with Tom Latham departing cheaply. The opener could only score 8 before being sent back by Sam Curran. The England allrounder bowled a fine inswinger to rap Latham on the pads and get an LBW decision in his favour. Latham decided against reviewing the decision only to see the HotSpot suggesting there was an inside edge.

Jeet Raval and skipper Kane Williamson then made sure the hosts do not lose any more wicket in the second session. New Zealand went into the break on 50 for 1. But the two could not build on the promising start as Jack Leach dismissed Raval on 19 to leave New Zealand reeling at 72 for 2. Ross Taylor was the next to go for 25 before Williamson joined him in the pavilion too after scoring his fifty. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling then survived a testing period to make sure their team does not suffer anymore setback.

England suffer late collapse

Earlier in the day, England suffered a collapse but still managed to post a competitive 353 thanks to Jos Buttler’s timely 43. The England star shared an important stand of 52 runs with spinner Jack Leach to help the visitors head towards a good total after they lost four wickets for just nine runs to slip from 286 for 4 to 295 for 8.

Tim Southee led the charge for New Zealand in the first session after England started the day on a promising 241 for 4. Stokes and his partner Ollie Pope negated the opening hours successfully as the hosts desperately tried to have their first breakthrough of the day. And it came when Ross Taylor took a stunning one-handed catch to send back Stokes for 91.

The dismissal finally helped New Zealand tighten up things from their end. In no time, the Black Caps were all over the tourists as they picked up the wickets of Pope, Sam Curran and Jofra Archer even before England could touch the 300-run mark. The way England were losing wickets, it looked like they would not even cross 300.

However, Buttler steadied the ship and was well supported by Leach. The partnership was broken by Neil Wagner when he had Buttler for 43. Leach and Stuart Broad then added 6 runs before the latter became the last wicket to fall. For New Zealand, Southee was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets to his name while Wagner picked up three.

Here are the best tweets from Day 2

England is actually doing well in this Test Match, and it’s not even a part of the World Test Championship. 🙄 #NZvENG

— 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Habibti🇮🇳 (@Yas_Queen17) November 22, 2019

Someone please, please tell them it's not "Ravaal", it's "Raaval"🙏🙏 #NZvENG

— 🏏Tanmay (@fast_hostile) November 22, 2019

At stumps on the 2nd day of the opening #NZvENG test the @BLACKCAPS are 144-4, in reply to England's 353. Curran has 2-28, Nicholls is 26 and Watling 6. England have the advantage, but a lot of the test momentum could rest with how the current partnership plays out.

— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) November 22, 2019

England’s day, but this Test is in the balance. Brilliant battle and today’s had a bit of everything. NZ close 144-4, 209 behind. More tomorrow. 🙌 #bbccricket #NZvENG

— Benji. (@thirstforwords) November 22, 2019

Great last half hour of play. Archer bowling rockets, Nicholls and Watling digging in #NZvENG

— Henry Rounce (@Henry_Rounce) November 22, 2019

Nicholls continuing after getting sconed by Archer in the #NZvENG test. He's negotiated the five remaining balls in the over with complete composure. The @BLACKCAPS remain 142-4, a deficit of 211 with stumps approaching at the end of the next over.

— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) November 22, 2019

300 is a winning score these days in test
NZ have to bat superb to save this game#NZvENG

— Sunil Singh (@Sunil_1984_) November 22, 2019

Jofra failed to take wicket of Steve Smith
Jofra failed to take wicket of Kane Williamson #NZvENG

— Mitul (@Eme2ul) November 22, 2019

#NZvENG classic going on

— Sunil Singh (@Sunil_1984_) November 22, 2019

Archer has now hit batsmen on the helmet five times in Test cricket, more than any other bowler in the time since he made his debut. #NZvEng

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) November 22, 2019

Nicholls has taken an almighty thwack in the back of the helmet from Archer in the #NZvENG test. The @BLACKCAPS batsman's taking some time to compose himself and see whether he's ready to continue. He's 25 not out and New Zealand are 142-4 in response to England 353.

— Andrew Alderson (@aldersonnotes) November 22, 2019

All done for day two with NZ 144-4, still 209 behind. The wicket of Kane Williamson makes it England's day.

— Dean Wilson (@CricketMirror) November 22, 2019

When Rohit Sharma performs at home people bark about overseas record.

When David Warner, Kane Williamson performs at home people applause and don't bring overseas performances. #Cricket #AUSvPAK #NZvENG

— Manish (@IManish311) November 22, 2019

At 126 kph Sam Curran flummoxed Kane Williamson with a short one!

Curran has this unique knack of taking wickets at the right time for England. And one wonders why he didn't play a large chunk of the Ashes?!?#NZvENG

— Shrikant Shankar (@Shrikant_23) November 22, 2019