Last Update: February 25, 2023, 11:47 IST
NZ vs ENG, Day 2 report of 2nd Test
After England declared their first innings at 435–8, Anderson took 3–37 as the Black Caps crashed to 138–7 after rain forced an early end to the second day in Wellington.
James Anderson confirmed his ascendancy to the top spot in the World Test bowling rankings with a lethal opening spell as England took complete control of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
After England declared their first innings at 435-8, veteran seamer Anderson took 3-37 as the Black Caps crashed to 138-7 after rain forced an early end to the second day in Wellington .
Spinner Jack Leach also took three scalps, leaving New Zealand with a 297-run deficit with three days remaining.
Having won the first Test in Mount Maunganui by 267 runs with an equal mix of aggressive batting and powerful new-ball bowling, red-hot England are on course for a two-match series sweep.
Joe Root was unbeaten on 153 when skipper Ben Stokes made his heady declaration, giving the tourists half an hour to attack the Black Caps’ top-order before lunch.
Anderson answered the call, removing Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4) to put the hosts 12–2 up.
The accurate pacer removed Will Young (2) after the break to underscore why he was reinstated at No. 1 in the ICC player rankings released this week – the oldest player to hold the perch at 40.
All three batsmen edged wicket-keeper Ben Foakes, taking the number of Test victims caught by a wicket-keeper off Anderson’s bowling to 188 – 36 more than any other bowler.
Left-armers Tom Latham (35) and Henry Nicholls (30) launched a rearguard but both fell when attempting to reverse-sweep Leach (3-45), leaving fielders around the bat caught .
Tom Blundell, who scored a century in the first Test, scored 25 not out before play was abandoned at 5.45 pm (0445 GMT) and their free-wheeling captain Tim Southee remained unbeaten on 23 – hitting two sixes in an innings .
Late rain resulted in the loss of around 25 overs, reflecting a premature end to the first day after clouds opened up.
However, there was still enough time for England to push for a seventh consecutive Test win and keep New Zealand from winning their eighth consecutive winless Test.
Earlier, England added 120 runs for the loss of five wickets in an entertaining first session after progressing to 315-3.
Harry Brook fell for 186 in the third over, adding just two to his night’s score.
His blazing knock formed part of a 302-run partnership with Root – the second highest in England’s Test history against New Zealand – that rescued the tourists from 21-3 on the first day.
Root moved smoothly from his overnight 101 to reach 150 for the 14th time in his career.
The 32-year-old received lively support from Stokes – who scored 27 off 28 balls – Stuart Broad (14) and Ollie Robinson (18).
Root hit 10 fours and three sixes, including a reverse ramp shot that cleared the boundary rope off Southee’s fourth ball.
Seamer Matt Henry took the crucial wicket of Brook, taking a sharp catch and bowling opportunity to return 4–100.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)