Match hangs in the balance at the end of day 2

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Picture Courtsey: The Guardian

The 2nd day of the 1st Test match between England and New Zealand is interesting poised played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on Friday.

Starting on the overnight score of 241 for 4, Ben Stokes looked confident with his stroke play and put pressure on New Zealand bowlers with Ollie Pope giving him good support. Tim Southee got the much-needed breakthrough for the hosts as he dismissed the dangerous Ben Stokes for 91. Stokes and Pope added 74 runs for the 5th wicket.  Southee and Neil Wagner bowled brilliantly reducing England to 295 for 8. Buttler and Jack Leach steadied the innings for England with good stroke play to take the visitors at 329 for 8 at lunch.

Jos Buttler played with positive intent and was dismissed for well-made 43 by Neil Wagner. Buttler and Leach added 52 runs for the 9th wicket. Wagner got the final wicket of Stuart Broad to bowl out England for 353. Leach remained not out on 18. For New Zealand, Tim Southee took 4 for 88, Neil Wagner 3 for 90, Colin de Grandhomme 2 for 41.

In reply, Tom Latham and Jeet Raval started on a cautious note. Sam Curran produced a brilliant delivery to dismiss Latham for just 8. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson looked confident with his stroke play and made the batting look easy. Williamson and Raval took the hosts to 50 for 1 at tea break.

The third session Jack Leach getting the wicket of Jeet Raval who played a rash stroke to be dismissed for 19. Raval and Williamson added 54 runs for the 2nd wicket. The experienced duo of Ross Taylor and Williamson played with confidence making sure that New Zealand are on course. Ben Stokes got the big wicket of Ross Taylor trying to pull a shot and went into a straight into Pope hand.

Henry Nicholls came to the crease and looked confident with his stroke play. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson reached his fifty off 84 balls. As things looked good for New Zealand, Sam Curran produced a beauty to dismiss the New Zealand captain for 51. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling stopped the flow of wickets and ended the 2nd day on 144 for 4.

New Zealand 144 for 4 in 51 overs (Kane Williamson 51, Henry Nicholls 26*, Sam Curran 2/28) trail England 353 in 124 overs (Ben Stokes 91, Joe Denly 74, Rory Burns 52, Tim Southee 4/88, Neil Wagner 3/80) by 209 runs.

 

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