New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Day 3: Stuart Broad Destroys Kiwi Hopes
England are in control of the second Test against New Zealand, after Stuart Broad restricted the hosts to 254 in their first innings. Alastair Cook and his men were clear winners of the third's play and will look to consolidate and press for the win on Sunday.
Nick Compton (100) and Jonathan Trott (121) set the tone for the match on the opening day, with both English batsmen scoring centuries in a 210-run second wicket stand. Excellent contributions from Kevin Pietersen (73) and Matt Prior (82) boosted England's first innings total to 465.
For the Kiwi bowlers, Bruce Martin was the pick, with 4/130. Trent Boult (2/117), Neil Wagner (2/122) and Kane Williamson (2/16) chipped in.
The New Zealand first innings began disastrously, with Peter Fulton (1) holing out to Cook off James Anderson. And then Broad took over, running through the top order like hot butter through knife. The centurion from the first Test, Hamish Rutherford (23), was next to go and he too was caught by Cook. Broad struck off the very next ball, castling Ross Taylor (0) and leaving Brendon McCullum a nightmarish situation.
At that stage, New Zealand were 48/3.
Kane Williamson and Dean Brownlie sought to restore some order, with a 37-run fifth wicket stand. But Broad returned to catch Williamson (42) off his own bowling and then Anderson had Brownlie (18) trapped leg before barely 10 balls later, to reduce New Zealand to 89/5.
McCullum and Brian Watling then fought an excellent rearguard action, momentarily taking the advantage away from England. The Kiwi captain was in particularly good form, reaching his half-century of only 64 balls.
Eventually, Steven Finn had McCullum (69) and Broad returned have Watling (60) caught behind. From then on it was a one-way street, with Broad mopping up the tail. The seamer finished with 6/51 and was backed by Anderson (2/68) and Finn (2/72).
Cook then enforced the follow on and almost immediately New Zealand were in trouble again; it was Monty Panesar this time. The spinner had Rutherford in knots and Ian Bell took the catch. Fulton and Williamson recovered to close the day at 77/1 but they still trail by over 130 runs and with two full days still to play, New Zealand will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat to walk away from this Test.
READ: New Zealand v England, 2nd Test: Where to Watch Live, Preview, Probable Teams
READ: New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Day 1: England in Driving Seat With Centuries for Trott and Compton
READ: New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Day 2: Visitors Turn the Screw
READ: New Zealand v England, 2nd Test, Day 4: Kiwis Fight but Visitors Close in on Win
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.