Print

Mail

wiki links

Late wickets rock England's pursuit of 470

A late two-wicket burst by Chris Martin rocked England's pursuit of New Zealand's first innings of 470 after batsmen had dominated the second day of the first Test yesterday.

A maiden Test century by recalled Ross Taylor, who featured in a seventh-wicket stand of 148 with Daniel Vettori, lifted New Zealand from a middle-order slump to an impressive 470.

At stumps England were 87 for two in reply, after reaching 84 without loss, and still trail New Zealand by 383 runs.

Taylor and Vettori breezed through the morning session and into the afternoon before Taylor fell for 120 and Vettori for 88 as New Zealand's final four wickets went in the space of 45 runs.

Evidence of the role the placid wicket played in New Zealand's innings was put in context as Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook cruised to 84 without loss before Martin struck twice in seven balls.

Cook was first to fall for 38 when he miscued pulling a short-pitched ball and was caught at square leg by substitute fielder Nick Horsley, then nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard edged Martin to Stephen Fleming at first slip.

Vaughan, who had survived a hard chance to Fleming, was not out 44 with Andrew Strauss on one.

But the day belonged to Taylor and his captain Vettori who resurrected New Zealand's innings.

With the second new ball only seven overs old when play resumed, England were looking for an early breakthrough.

Instead they fed the batsmen a diet of boundaries with 105 runs added in the first session.

Taylor reached his century with a boundary when on 98 he pulled a short-pitched ball from the erratic Steve Harmison to the boundary.

It took an inspired bowling change by Vaughan to eventually remove Taylor who was caught and bowled when he top-edged the second ball from part-time bowler Kevin Pietersen.

Vettori was in sight of his third Test century when he tried to guide a ball from Paul Collingwood through the gully, but was snapped up by Andrew Strauss, the lone slip.

Kyle Mills carried New Zealand past the 450 mark and finished unbeaten on 25 as the New Zealand innings finished with Jeetan Patel and Chris Martin dismissed by Ryan Sidebottom in consecutive balls.
This story has been viewed 473 times.