I get to 20 and I think I'm like Bradman, says Mark Wood after scoring his maiden fifty

The second and final Test match between England and New Zealand commenced in Christchurch on Friday even as the visitors aimed to level the series. Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl first as his new ball bowlers proved the decision right as they had England reeling at 94/5. But it was the duo of Mark Wood and Jonny Bairstow which helped them end the day on a high. However, Wood credited his partner Bairstow after playing a trailblazing knock of 52 off just 62 deliveries on the first day of the match but felt that he could bat better.

While Bairstow was key to England’s redemption on the day, he got good support from Ben Stokes first and then Mark Wood which frustrated the hosts in the final session. The duo added 95 runs in less than 18 overs and resurrected the innings from 164/7 to end the day on a formidable 290/8 with the wicketkeeper-batsman unbeaten on 97.

Wood’s worry

Mark Wood, while speaking in the press conference after the day’s play, was worried that he scored a half-century before doing well with the ball in hand in his Test career. “I had loads of fun but the worrying thing is I’ve got a fifty before a five-for, so I’ve done that the wrong way round. I loved batting with Jonny, a lad I’ve played with and against since I was about 11 years old. So nice to do it with him at the other end,” he said.

He also went on to say that he worked hard in the nets highlighting his issue with the bat. “I worked hard in the nets this week thinking I might play this game. I get to 20 and I think I’m like Bradman, that’s the problem, I try too many shots. It was nice having Jonny there, he kept it fun, kept it calm whereas sometimes I think I get a bit ahead of myself and try too much,” Wood added.

The cricketer credited Bairstow for his knock as he calmed him out in the middle despite England being under a huge pressure at that stage. “When I went out to bat we were in a bit of trouble. Jonny knows I like to have a bit of fun out there, so it made it easier – just having a laugh and seeing how it goes. It just put my mind at ease and you forget the situation you are in,” he concluded.

Here’s our video of the day:

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