New Zealand vs England LIVE: Cricket score and updates from first Test
England reach 79-2 in their second innings at stumps on day two and lead by 98 runs
Tom Blundell struck a brilliant century to reel in England on day two of the first pink-ball Test in Mount Maunganui on Friday but the wicket-keeper was left red-faced after costing New Zealand a late wicket in the evening session.
Blundell’s 138 from 181 balls drove New Zealand to 306 in their reply to England’s declared first innings total of 325-9 on a glorious day at Bay Oval.
New Zealand removed openers Zak Crawley (28) and Ben Duckett (25), leaving the tourists 79-2 with a lead of 98 runs at stumps.
A mix-up between wicket-keeper Blundell and bowler Scott Kuggeleijn cost New Zealand a third wicket, though, reprieving a scoreless Stuart Broad after the night-watchman sent a top edge soaring into the night sky.
As the man with the gloves, Blundell should have taken it but the ball dropped harmlessly between the pair, allowing Broad to stroll off six not out, with No 3 Ollie Pope unbeaten on 14.
New Zealand vs England
26.5
OUT! Caught. Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to second slip, caught by Latham.
New Zealand vs England
26.4
Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, thick edge to backward point for no runs, fielded by Kuggeleijn.
New Zealand vs England
26.3
Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, to silly mid on for no runs, fielded by Tickner.
New Zealand vs England
26.1
FOUR! Tim Southee to Ollie Pope. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed past fine leg for 4 runs.
New Zealand vs England
25.6
Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot working, to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Bracewell.
New Zealand vs England
25.4
FOUR! Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Length ball, outside off stump down the track Slog, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
New Zealand vs England
25.3
No ball Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Length ball, off stump down the track working, to mid on and it was a no ball, fielded by Southee.
New Zealand vs England
25.2
Neil Wagner to Joe Root. Length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, to mid off for 1 run, shy attempt by Williamson.
New Zealand vs England
25.1
Neil Wagner to Ollie Pope. Full toss, to leg on the front foot flick, to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Kuggeleijn.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments