NZ vs ENG, 2nd Test Day 2 Review: England with the upper hand despite Grandhomme-Watling stand

England has had a horrendous outing till the opening day of the second Test at Christchurch as the Kiwis had the lid over them. The mindsets weren’t positive from Joe Root’s men, which is understandable bearing in mind the disappointing performances England dished out earlier. Nevertheless, they started the second day with a rejuvenated approach and managed to ruffle the feathers of the Kiwis.

After an abysmal start earlier, England, to some extent, made amends with a couple of solid partnerships among Jonathan Bairstow, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood. However, bearing in mind the strength of the Kiwis lineup, they ended the day with a modest score. Meanwhile, the Kiwis wished to clean the tail and restrict the visitors from adding some useful runs.

England clinch the ascendancy

Trent Boult and Tim Southee picked up Bairstow and Leach respectively and bowled them out for 307 runs. Meanwhile, Bairstow accomplished his fifth century in Test cricket. The track was conducive to fast bowling as New Zealand used leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for a paltry five overs. Meanwhile, the wickets were shared by Boult and Southee as they snared four and six wickets respectively.

New Zealand somehow managed to get themselves off to a terrible start having lost four wickets in the first ten overs. Stuart Broad and James Anderson effortlessly made inroads and set the cat among the pigeons in the Kiwis’ camp from the outset. All of Jeet Raval, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor edged the leather into Bairstow’s webbings courtesy of some impeccable display of channels by the pacers.

Watling and Grandomme halt the stutter  

Kane Williamson had a massive responsibility on his shoulders to resurrect the derailed beginning. However, to the agony of the visits, Anderson pinned him when he looked settled. From a position of strength, they were battling to save the follow-on with 71 runs remaining and five wickets in hand. They required someone to put their hands up and drag them out of the precarious position.

Colin de Grandhomme joined BJ Watling and telecasted some stern resistance. At the end of tea, the duo carved a partnership of 87 runs to garner some momentum into the innings. Meanwhile, Grandhomme accomplished his third half-century in Tests. However, the Kiwis were still some distance away from England’s total first time around.

Kiwis impressed, but Advantage England  

Grandhomme, generally treads the aggressive route and plays his strokes. However, he curbed his instinct, put his head down and played an useful hand. In the post-tea session, he scorched a few boundaries as well. Meanwhile, BJ Watling notched his 14th half-century in Test cricket. The duo was all set to end the session on a high for the Kiwis.

However, Stuart Broad pulled out a peach of a delivery from his sleeve and nipped out de Grandhomme, minutes before the close of play. The ball found the right-hander’s outside edge and nestled into Bairstow’s gloves. Nevertheless, Tim Southee stomped in and spanked a couple to the boundary to end New Zealand’s day on a positive note.

The third day has loads of excitement in store, provided rain doesn’t halt play. Watling, indeed has played a wonderful hand, but his responsibility would be to get New Zealand closer to England’s first innings score. Meanwhile, Joe Root’s men would desperately want to shave their lower order and maintain the dominance over the hosts.

Brief Scores

England: 307 all out  in 96.5 overs; Jonathan Bairstow 101, Mark Wood 52; Tim Southee 6/62, Trent Boult 4/87

New Zealand: 192/6 in 4.5 overs; BJ Watling 77*, Colin de Grandhomme 72; Stuart Broad 4/38, James Anderson 2/43

New Zealand trail by 115 runs

Stumps Day 2

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