Watling, Southee propels Kiwis on Day-3, England v New Zealand 2nd Test

Watling, Southee propels Kiwis on Day-3, England v New Zealand 2nd Test: Resuming on 253/5 on day 3, England struggled against the Kiwi seamer Tim Southee as he obliterated England’s middle order removing Bell, Buttler and Moeen early on to leave the hosts tendering at 267 for 8. Which displayed New Zealand continued their tenacious fight back in the series.  With Board and Wood on the crease, the Black Caps were in full-control but what happen after that must be really disappointing for the skipper.

Broad and Woods added 51 for the 10^th wicket partnership between them.  Broad especially who’s been pretty ordinary with the bat in recent times, showed glimpses of past form as the lanky tailender struck 46 from 39 balls before he was bowled by Matt Henry. The fifty stand between them came at more than a run a ball and was England’s second highest of the innings.

James Anderson also offered valuable support to Board as last three English batsmen piled 83 runs to take England to 350 and importantly didn’t conceded lead to the visitors. And they played a carefree hand to erase the first-innings deficit to repay some pain inflicted by their counterparts on the second day.

New Zealand on the other hand started off poorly losing first innings hero Tom Latham and classy Williamson in quick succession. Broad after contributing with the bat, struck twice to leave Kiwis hovering at 23/2. Guptill and Taylor the two men at the crease started the repair work for the Black Caps. Guptill and Taylor then put up a 99-run stand for the third wicket and ensured that New Zealand posted a meaningful total on the board. With both batsman getting run-a-ball 70 and 48 respectively, they were rattled by one-test match old Durham pacer Mark Wood.

With skipper McCullum and Watling on the crease, one can sense attack would come from which end. But to everyone’s surprise BJ Watling looked more fluent and classy than his skipper. He took the attack to English bowlers playing some vintage eye-catching stokes. McCullum though struggled initially but the more time he spent in the middle, Kiwi skipper started to toil and play some beautiful shots taking lead near the 300 run mark.

In the course of the game Wood produced a fine Sharp inducker, which caught Brendon McCullum on the back foot to remove the NZ skipper for 55 off 98, to claim his third of the innings. Ronchi who started brilliantly in his debut first innings, continued in his merry ways. After striking few boundaries initially, he clobbered Ben stokes for log heap to pull it over mid-wicket for a humongous. On the other hand Watling was looking composed and set for a big one.

And when it seemed the wicketkeeper duo will take the game away from the hosts scoring quick runs, Anderson sent back Ronchi inducing an edge to Buttler after a quick fire 31. But that didn’t stop Watling from playing his natural game to reach his Fifth test hundred which saw him get huge applause from the English crowd. He combined with Mark Craig and assured no more damage was done till the stumps were called off on day-3 with New Zealand seating comfortably at 338 for 6.

With 338 run lead the visitors’ looks in full control of the game as the game has two more days to go. Kiwis would hope this pair continue tomorrow and take this lead past 450.

Brief Score:

(New Zealand 350, 338/6 (BJ Watling 100 not out (137), Guptill 70 (72), McCullum 55 (98)

Mark Wood 3-64, Stuart Broad 2-52)

(England 350 Adam Lyth 107, Alastair Cook 75, Stuart Broad 46

Tim Southee 4-83, Mark Craig 2-48)