Losing two wickets late in the day was not a disaster for England, but they would need to work hard to slowly overhaul New Zealand’s first innings of 443 on the third day of the series deciding third Test, fast bowler Steven Finn said.
England were reduced to 50 for two at the end of the second day of the match at Eden Park, a deficit of 393, having bowled the hosts out just after tea.
However, Trent Boult rocked England with the dismissal of Alastair Cook for four and Jonathan Trott for 27 before stumps, giving the hosts the slight advantage on a pitch that is not assisting the bowlers.
“Obviously we’d have preferred to go into this evening none down. To lose two wickets is maybe slightly disappointing, but I don’t think it’s a disaster by any stretch of the imagination,” said Finn, who ran through New Zealand’s tail and finished with figures of six for 125.
England had come into the test series as heavily touted favorites to clinch it with ease, but placid pitches and rain ensured the first two matches in Dunedin and Wellington ended in draws. They now face a third day at Eden Park looking to at least bat all day with a lineup that does not include world class batsmen Kevin Pietersen, who injured his knee and returned home, and two players in Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow still in the infancy of their Test careers.
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