NZ vs ENG, 3rd Session: Three early wickets pushes Black Caps on back-foot
An eventful day for England was capped off by the wicket of Henry Nicholls, as the home team are pushed on the back-foot at the close of Day 1.
The term 'Bazball' has hogged a lot of limelight in the last few months, and for all the right reasons, and it showed the worth once again as England played at a strike-rate of 5.57 and never allowed the Kiwi bowlers to settle in properly.
Resuming the third session at 279 for 5, Harry Brook was closing in on a spectacular century, but Neil Wagner had some other plans. Wagner persisted with the short deliveries and was rewarded for it. Brook went after him and under-edged it onto the stumps for a well-crafted 89.
One brought the fall of another wicket as Stuart Broad didn't last long and was sent packing by Kuggeleijn for just 2 on the board.
Ben Foakes and Jack Leach departed in quick successions and with nine down, Ben Stokes made an interesting call to declare the England innings at 325. With the clouds hovering around, Stokes wanted his new ball duo to exploit the pink-ball to its best.
New Zealand innings started on a disastrous note. With the ball moving around both ways, Tom Latham was standing deep inside his crease, when Robinson bowled a back of a length ball and Latham got a nick that struck the thigh pad and Pope stationed at short leg took a fine diving catch.
England persisted with four slips and a gully and the New Zealand batters found it hard to get going. The resilience from Kane Williamson was broken by the great Jimmy Anderson towards the fag end of the day.
Anderson beats him on the inside-edge and the ball copped a blow on the front leg. The original decision was not out, but the replays showed that the ball struck on top of leg.
Henry Nicholls didn't last long and Anderson once again showed his skills to get the wicket.
Talking Points
- Brook hit on the helmet: Brook was going strong and was on the course to slam yet another Test century. But he missed the attempted pull shot of a Neil Wagner delivery and that rattled him hard. It wasn't too long when he lost the concentration and threw his wicket away.
- Crawley drops Conway: With the ball moving around both ways, Anderson was showing his class. Conway nicked an away going delivery and Crawley dropped a sitter at second slip. If Conway goes onto score a big one tomorrow, Crawley will be upset with it.
What to Expect on Day 2
New Zealand are struggling at the moment. England are a different gravy altogether in Tests and don't be surprised if the home team gets bundled out even before reaching 200.
Brief Score
England: 325-9 (58.2)
Harry Brook 89 (81), Ben Duckett 84 (68);
Neil Wagner 4-82 (16.2), Tim Southee 2-71 (13)
New Zealand: 37-3 (18)
Devon Conway 18* (54), Kane Williamson 6 (21);
James Anderson 2-10 (7), Ollie Robinson 1-10 (5)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
