Ollie Pope. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)
England are in the driver’s seat in the second Test against New Zealand following another commanding day of cricket in Wellington. The visitors have reduced the Kiwis to 138/7 after declaring their first innings for 435 runs. James Anderson and Jack Leach shared six wickets between themselves following Joe Root’s serene 153.
The day started with Harry Brook losing his wicket for 186 runs, adding just two runs to his overnight score. The Kiwi pacers kept chipping away at the wickets, but it did not help in preventing the English assault as Joe Root put his foot on the accelerator for the tourists. The former England skipper returned unbeaten after his 153 as Ben Stokes made a bold declaration.
The New Zealand reply could not have gotten off to a worse start as Devon Conway was sent back for a five-ball duck by James Anderson in the very first over of the second innings. The veteran pacer utilized the pitch to great effect, accounting for three of the top four Kiwi batters in his opening spell.
The home side did offer a bit of resilience via Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls’ partnership for the fourth wicket. But England were relentless and broke the valiant stand after Latham was dismissed following a controversial call. His batting partner fell soon after, attempting a reverse sweep.
England are in the ascendency, and it will take a miraculous comeback from the Kiwis to avoid the follow-on, let alone defeat in the Test match. New Zealand skipper Tim Southee swatted his way to 23 runs off 18 deliveries before rain played spoilsport for a second consecutive day in the Test. If everything falls to plan for the tourists, the third day could turn out to be the final day of the series.
Here is how Twitter reacted to England’s clinical showing on Day 2:
That’s enough….
England declare after Root reaches his 14th score over 150 🤯
Do England have enough? 🤔#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/LLtJI6hBBy
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 24, 2023
Kane Williamson vs James Anderson in Tests:
144 – Runs
389 – Balls
328 – Dots
9 – Outs
21 – 4s
0 – 6s
37.01 – SR
16.00 – Avg#NZvENG
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 25, 2023
Joe Root and Harry Brook’s brilliant centuries guide England to 435-8 in the first innings.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/mZ06DK4STu
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 25, 2023
Another great day! 💥
Scorecard: https://t.co/qMjtEfVyBY
🇳🇿 #NZvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/p6EzfYT4wU
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 25, 2023
His average ticked back above 50 with the last shot he played – perfectly timed 🙌#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/c7DmBVVHkY
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 24, 2023
What on earth 🤯
This is 𝗨𝗡𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘 from Ollie Pope 🔥
The perfect to finish the session! #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/hehHIe5UO0
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 25, 2023
That is some 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗡 hitting 🏏
Tim Southee now equals MS Dhoni for number of Test match 6️⃣s with 78… #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/1qoa2odbMt
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 25, 2023
Make some 𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞, #OrangeArmy 🥳
It’s our #Riser Brook’s career-best test score and we’re sure a 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ is just around the corner 🧡#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/qtK8iGah3s
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 25, 2023
A thesaurus for extra superlatives is required 🐐#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/OvRM9h6e8G
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) February 25, 2023