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On Day 2 of the second Test between New Zealand and England at Wellington, the hosts added just 39 more runs to their overnight score of 86 as they were bundled up for 125. For the visitors, Gus Atkinson was the pick of the bowlers, claiming a four-wicket haul, which included a hat-trick.
In reply, England lost Zak Crawley early as the opener departed after adding just eight runs. Jacob Bethell who walked in next stitched a crucial stand with Ben Duckett, as the duo added 187 runs to the tally. Both the left-handers who were set to bring up their respective tons, showed what exactly nervous 90s looks like. Bethell smashed 96 runs, lacing his innings with ten boundaries and three sixes, and on the other hand, Duckett hit six boundaries and one towering six during his 92.
After that, Joe Root and Harry Brook continued the onslaught as the duo put up a partnership of 95 runs before Brook gave his wicket to Glenn Phillips via Will O’Rourke. He scored 55 runs off 61 deliveries laced with five boundaries. Root was joined by Ollie Pope next, but the latter perished early thanks to Matt Henry.
Subsequently, English skipper Ben Stokes resumed the innings along with the well-set Root, as the duo added 51 more runs before the stumps were called. England’s score which stands at 378/5 sees them extend their lead beyond 500 runs and will look to add more valuable runs tomorrow. Root is currently batting on 73, while Stokes is unbeaten on 35. For New Zealand, Tim Southee and Henry picked two wickets each with Phillips bagging one.
Also Read – WATCH: Tim Southee falls for England’s bluff as Gus Atkinson grabs hat-trick in Wellington
Here’s how the fans reacted to Day 2 of NZ vs ENG Second Test:
Started hating the nice guys in cricket @BLACKCAPS you just play cricket to embarrass us #ENGvsNZ
— Saurabh (@Mbatious11) December 7, 2024
Brydon carse took 4 wickets against nz… Good day for riser #engvsnz@SunRisers @SagarNaniJSPK pic.twitter.com/R3WNbUPuCM
— వనవాసి (@Laddu266) December 7, 2024
Bhai NZ is getting bashed left right and centre from the poms at home! Conway is again a walking wicket and i freaking believe we lost 3-0 against this accidental WTC champions ffs man!!!!!! #ENGvsNZ #NZvsENG #NZvENG #TestCricket
— Aniket (@baigannkabharta) December 7, 2024
Stumps on Day 2
England 378-5
Root 73*(106)
Stokes 35*(26)
England lead by 533#NZvENG #ENGvsNZ
Domination from England pic.twitter.com/YAXUpOthzh— MrTigerz (@real_tigerz) December 7, 2024
HEARTBREAK FOR JACOB BETHELL..!!!! 💔
He missed out a well deserved Hundred but nevertheless he smashed 96 runs from 118 balls.#JacobBethell #NZvsENG #RCB#ENGvsNZ #NZvENG #ViratKohli #RohitSharma #AUSvsIND #AUSvIND #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/K8Kz91pNeG
— Monish (@Monish09cric) December 7, 2024
100TH 50+ Score for Root in Test matches 🤯 #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/Fvvd9tlNYS
— ` (@silme47) December 7, 2024
How is it possible that New Zealand who didn’t win any game against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka and now struggling against England at their home have been able to whitewash India in India by historic 3-0 win making WTC point table interesting 🤨🤔#INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #ENGvsNZ #ENGvNZ
— Sachiin Ramdas Suryavanshi (@sachiinv7) December 7, 2024
Gus Atkinson, the 14th England player to take a men’s Test hat-trick
The first cricketer EVER to take a Test hat-trick at the Basin Reserve.#ENGvsNZ | #NZvsENG pic.twitter.com/OLypBiLPhr
— Don Cricket 🏏 (@doncricket_) December 6, 2024
#BenStokes 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝟐𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 😃#EngvsNz pic.twitter.com/OqhVJjXj8z
— Karm K. Sanju (@karmksanju) December 7, 2024