Twitter Reactions: Half-centuries from Ben Stokes and Joe Denly keep England slightly ahead

The first day of the first Test between New Zealand and England finished in equilibrium at the close of play. No team gained a significant advantage over the other. It was a highly competitive day of play. However, England will be pleased with their efforts. Ben Stokes and Joe Denly played great knocks which surely put the side in a good position. On the second day, they’d want to build upon this start and get themselves into a much more commanding position.

Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first. Along with the debutant Dominic Sibley, Rory Burns walked out to bat. The new-comer looked good and showed a good amount of confidence. He was going strong on 22 before Colin de Grandhomme trapped him. Rory Burns, on the other hand, impressed once again with his batting. He scored 52 runs but failed to make it big. It was the same bowler who dismissed him as well.

Ben Stokes and Joe Denly come to the rescue

Joe Root’s poor run of form this year continued in this innings as well. While he seemed to do well in his last two or three Test innings, he failed on this occasion. The English skipper tried to flirt at a widish delivery bowled by Neil Wagner. However, that delivery found his edge and Tim Southee took a comfortable catch at second slip. After the fall of his wicket, there was a wonderful partnership between Joe Denly and Ben Stokes.

At three, Denly showed complete authority and scored 74 runs before Tim Southee found his edge in the 82nd over with the second new ball. After the fall of his wicket, Ollie Pope walked out into the middle. He ensured that no wickets fell further on the day. At the close of play, England’s score was 241/4. Ben Stokes remained unbeaten on 67 runs.

Twitterati seemed mighty pleased with England’s efforts on the day. However, the New Zealand fans were disappointed with Ross Taylor dropping the catch of Ben Stokes towards the end of the day. Some of them felt that England gained a slight upper hand due to this costly miss.

Here is how Twitterati reacted:

Don’t wanna jinx him but @benstokes38 seeing it like a beach ball at the minute 👌🏻

— Katherine Brunt (@KBrunt26) November 21, 2019

Bringing in #WorldTelevisionDay with @benstokes38 on your 📺, @imVkohli? 👀#TestCricket | #NZvENG | #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/gYo3wJpqox

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) November 21, 2019

Test cricket in Australia and New Zealand looks so beautiful ❤️#AUSvPAK #NZvENG

— 私は誰 (@halfbloodpkb) November 21, 2019

Tight bowling from New Zealand and England responded with patience. Well played Joe Denly and Ben Stokes. Stokes promising something big. #NZvENG

— Faisal Caesar (@faisalyorker1) November 21, 2019

Not the expected start.. England ahead right now.. hopefully wickets tomorrow #NZvENG

— Dreamer22 (@Dreamer68698214) November 21, 2019

Enjoying early morning #NZvENG on #mitv5 having #TataSky HD while sipping some #Nescafe in #Cera cup made by wifey through #Philips coffee maker in our #Godrej personalized kitchen. The picture looks so clear, dnt know whether it's coz of HDtv, HD connection or my #Crizal lenses. pic.twitter.com/CY7hlSBXDF

— Virat Kohli Branded Fan (@imVlkohli) November 21, 2019

Never look at a pitch until morning of game .. it changes pic.twitter.com/DwKhpptApx

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) November 20, 2019

Good day for England all things considered 241/4 not bad #NZvENG

— Paul wandering Asia (@LegB4Cricket) November 21, 2019

@benstokes38 still THE MAN for US, huh!!!! #NZvENG

— She/Her (@withsahyo) November 21, 2019

Great day of play. Fighting display from England, especially good in the last session. Need someone to convert the 50s to 100s. #NZvENG

— Amey Salvi (@IamAmeySalvi) November 21, 2019

How the hell do I reconcile the pure awesomeness of Ben Stokes with the fact that he's smashing us? #NZvENG

— dizzy dover 🏏 (@dizzydover) November 21, 2019

That will do nicely from England. The sort of steady start that allowed them to capitalise later on. Stokes superb, Burns and Denly supporting and Pope looking confident at the end. Plenty to look forward to tomorrow… #NZvENG

— Jonny (@Leathernwillow) November 21, 2019

#NZvENG Absorbing day of Test cricket that. England's day after winning the toss, just the 4 down, platform set to go big an get 400+ gotta be happy with that. NZ need early wickets tomorrow morning.

— We've Won It 6 Times🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@MideyChowdhry) November 21, 2019

#NZvENG Ben Stokes Top 5 Players In World Cricket, i'd even put him up there as one off the best batsman in world cricket he's that good , his game has evolved an improved so much. Overtaken Root for me.

— We've Won It 6 Times🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@MideyChowdhry) November 21, 2019

Very good first day for England against New Zealand – fine display of proper batting with Burns, Denly and Stokes particularly impressive. More of the same tomorrow please! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #NZvENG

— Harry 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@Harry_Currall) November 21, 2019