Twitter Reactions: Root-Burns keep New Zealand at bay after Devon Conway's historic double ton

Just like Day 1 of the first Test between New Zealand and England, Day 2 was also completely owned by the debutant Devon Conway. Starting Day 2 at a score of 246 for three, Conway stood tall with a double hundred to ensure that New Zealand reaches a decent total of 378 runs.

In the first session of the game only, England bowlers managed to break the monotony of Conway and Henry Nicholls as they were successful in breaking a match-defining partnership of 174 runs. What followed after that was a series of wickets for the visitors as the batting line-up crumbled like a house of cards.

However, it was the debutant Conway who delivered a good notch higher than anyone would have expected from him. The 29-year-old flaunted his class and grit as he reached his maiden double-hundred. Resuming from 136 overnight, Devon wasn’t in a mood to stop as the entire cricket fraternity sat down and took notice of his character and discipline with the willow.

Throughout the game, the 29-year-old held his nerves and played the England’s lethal seam attack including the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad like a veteran. Conway played some attractive strokes at the home of cricket to smash a staggering double hundred. 

During his 347-ball stay on the cricket pitch, the opening batter collected 200 runs with the help of 22 boundaries and one maximum. The left-hander brought up his century with a scintillating six off Mark Wood. Conway and Neil Wagner put up a 40-run stand for the last wicket with Wagner scoring 25 for 21.

However, a run-out in the 123rd over by Joe Root and Ollie Pope put an end to Devon Conway’s dream maiden innings. It also resulted in New Zealand wrapping up their first innings at a score of 378 for 10. For England, the debutant Ollie Robinson enjoyed the most success as he picked four wickets.

Rory Burns and Joe Root stabilize England in the second innings

England started their innings with the opening pair of Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley. However, Sibley failed to do anything productive on the field and the hosts got off to a torrid start. The number three Zak Crawley also continued his poor form in the purest format as he marched back to the pavilion while playing at 2.

Meanwhile, the England fans can heave a sigh of relief as Rory Burns and skipper Joe Root looked decent in the middle in the last session and will look forward to continuing their form on Day 3 too. Burns will be hoping to play the role for England that Conway played for New Zealand. England ended Day 2 at a score of 111 for two with Burns playing at 59 and Root and 42.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: