England cricket team are displaying some amazing skills in the test format in recent times. The visitors had won the first test by a whopping 267 runs to take a 1-0 lead. Both the teams are out of reckoning for a place in the finals of the World Test Championships.
The story so far –
After winning the 1st test, Ben Stokes and his English team continued their red hot streak in the 2nd test as well. The game at Basin Reserve at Wellington is witnessing the home team have their backs against the wall yet again. The English had enforced the follow on on the 3rd day of the test match.
Will Young left stunned –
New Zealand had found some footing when they had made a fight back after being asked to bat again. The final hour of the play saw England make a terrific comeback to the test. Jack Leach came round the wicket and was bowling to Will Young who came out to bat at 4.
Leach bowled one on a length and beat the bat of Will Young and went past him to knock back his off stump. This was a huge boost for England as they were looking for a way back into the contest.
That is a 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 😍
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 26, 2023
The Nut with an absolute seed to dismiss Will Young 🔥
England turning the tide late on day 3 🌊#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/veyQdPadMM
Latham and Conway start the fightback –
New Zealand had a better start to their 2nd innings, when Tom Latham and Devon Conway added 149 for the 1st wicket. Conway was the 1st man out when he was out for 61. Jack Leach got the wicket of Conway after he had faced 155 balls with 6 fours and a six. Joe Root then got the big wicket of Tom Latham LBW for 83 from 172 balls with 11 fours. At stumps, Williamson was on 25 along with Nicholls who was on 18.
England bowls out New Zealand for 209 –
New Zealand were done in by James Anderson (3/37) and Stuart Broad (4/61) and 3 more wickets by Jack Leach. The highest scorer in the 1st innings for New Zealand was skipper Tim Southee who scored 73 off 49 balls with five fours and 6 sixes. Tom Blundell (38), Latham (35) and Nicholls (30) were the other top scorers.
England in their 1st innings scored 435/8 Declared after they were led to the huge score by 186 by Harry Brook and 153 by Joe Root. With 2 days left in the day, the English and Ben Stokes will hope to wind up the game and win the series 2-0 as they await the next cycle of World Test Championships.