New Zealand vs. England: Root, Stokes revert Lord’s Test to hosts’ favour
LONDON: Lord’s Test match tipped England’s favor again on day three as the home team moved closer to victory, requiring 61 runs for a decisive win in the first Test match against New Zealand.
England captain Ben Stokes and right-handed batsman Joe Root steered his side into a comfortable position as the pair built a strong 90-run partnership from fourth wicket, frustrating the New Zealand bowlers, who took four early wickets. in the second inning in a mere 69 total runs.
The New Zealanders got rid of the solid-looking pair after New Zealand midfielder Kyle Jamieson was able to squeeze an edge out of Stoke’s bat when he was batting at 55.
Root held his own in the crease with 77 runs through the end of the day’s game. He, along with goalkeeper batsman Ben Foakes, will continue England’s second innings at 216/5 on day four of the test match.
New Zealand resumed play on day three at 236/4, after a brief rain delay. Day two’s star pairing of Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell couldn’t resist the agonizing pace of England’s bowlers on a new day.
Mitchell scored the second proof of a hundred from him while Blundell fell four runs from a ton.
England’s top pacer Stuard Broad sacked Mitchell when the ball slipped through his bat into Foakes’ gloves. The all-rounder played a brilliant stroke of 108 runs, including 12 limits.
The Black-caps got completely flustered after the dismissal, as the remaining five wickets were only able to add 35 runs to the total. New Zealand made 285 runs in their second innings.
Wide, rookie Mathew Potts remained the best wicket-taker for England in the second innings as they both took three wickets apiece.
Anderson managed to dismiss two New Zealand batsmen, while the bowler who broke his leg, Mathew Parkinson, also had a wicket at his disposal.
England were forced to a shaky start by the New Zealand bowlers as Jamieson and left-arm pacemaker Trent Boult dislodged the hosts’ top order.
Jamieson starred for New Zealand as he grabbed four wickets in the second inning.
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