Harry Brook and Ollie Pope have led England’s fightback after New Zealand debutant Nathan Smith ripped through the top order at Hagley Oval on Friday morning.
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The tourists were in a spot of bother at 3-45 at lunch on day two after Smith removed England debutant Jacob Bethell and superstar Joe Root in the final over of the morning session.
Bethell edged behind for 10 before Root chopped on for a fourth-ball duck, with Smith boasting figures of 2-12 heading into the break.
However, Brook and Pope have combined for a 151-run partnership for the fifth wicket to revive England’s innings and put the match back in the balance.
MATCH CENTRE: New Zealand vs England first Test live scorecard
England opener Zak Crawley was removed in the fourth over, opting not to review after New Zealand quick Matt Henry trapped him on the pads.
Fellow opener Ben Duckett was handed a reprieve on 23 after Kiwi captain Tom Latham put down a low chance in the slips cordon. However, the left-hander’s luck ran out in the afternoon session, top-edging a short ball from William O’Rourke towards deep square leg for 46.
Meanwhile, Latham’s woes in the field continued when he dropped another chance in the slips cordon, gifting Brook an extra life on 41 and denying Smith a third wicket.
New Zealand’s frustrations grew when Devon Conway put down an outfield catch early in the evening session, with Brook once again the fortuitous batter.
However, all-rounder Glenn Phillips pulled off a stunning catch at gully to break the stand and send Pope packing for 76, lunging to his right to pluck the one-handed chance while suspended in the air.
Earlier, New Zealand was bowled out for 348 following a career-best performance from England quick Brydon Carse, who claimed 4-64 in the first innings. Phillips notched an unbeaten 58, his fifth Test fifty, while batting with the tail.
DAY 1 WRAP
England captured the vital wicket of Kane Williamson for 93 in a dramatic five-wicket final session to leave New Zealand 319-8 after day one of the first Test in Christchurch on Thursday.
The hosts went to tea at a healthy 193-3 and slumped to 252-7 before Glenn Phillips (41 not out) and Matt Henry (18) halted the collapse with a spirited 46-run stand for the eighth wicket.
Shoaib Bashir, the only specialist spinner in the Test, was England’s chief destroyer with 4-69.
Former skipper Williamson looked on track to put New Zealand into a dominant position after joining Tom Latham in the middle when they lost opener Devon Conway in the second over.
He faced 14 deliveries before getting off the mark and went on to anchor 50-run partnerships with Latham, Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell.
Williamson, New Zealand’s greatest Test run-scorer, was instrumental in getting them to 227-4 before he was undone attempting a cut shot that went to Zac Crawley at point to give Gus Atkinson his second wicket.
