[Watch] Nathan Smith Runs Riot; Dismisses Joe Root And RCB-Boy Bethell In A Single Over

Nathan Smith dismissed Joe Root [Source: @gavaskar_theman]

Promising fast bowling allrounder Nathan Smith had a stellar start to his Test career, as he got the prized scalps of Joe Root and RCB's latest recruit Jacob Bethell in a single over. Coming as the first change bowler for New Zealand, Smith exhibited his class, dismissing two key English batters before the lunch break. 

Despite suffering a middle-order collapse, New Zealand powered themselves to a respectable first-innings total of 348 runs, riding on a valiant half-century from Glenn Phillips and valuable cameos from their lower order batters. Nathan Smith, who had a forgettable maiden outing with the bat, too little time to exhibit his bowling prowess, getting rid of Root and Bethell at a crucial juncture of the match. 

After getting Bethell caught behind the stumps, the right-arm pacer surprised Root with his deceptive pace, castling him in this process. 

From over the wicket, he bowled a back-of-a-length delivery which jagged back into the batter after pitching just outside the off stump. 

As the legendary batter tried to tuck it around, he only managed an inside edge, with the ball hitting the stumps. Thus, Joe Root couldn't make a significant impact in the game, departing for a four-ball duck.

New Zealand Pacers Leave England Reeling At Hagley Oval

Thanks to Nathan Smith's clinical seam-bowling burst, the visitors have already bagged three English wickets in the ongoing affair in Christchurch. At the time of writing, England were 52 for three, with Harry Brook and Ben Duckett batting on 6* and 33*, respectively. 

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