England takes control as New Zealand struggles in second Test

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First Test, D2: England 140 & 226; New Zealand 113 & 36-3 Tourists toiling in pursuit of 254 victory target Sixteen wickets on the first day were followed by 17 more on the second, though like the bounce on this mischievous wicket nothing about it felt at all predictable. The day ended in glorious evening sunshine, shadows stretching as England’s lead was slowly, awkwardly reduced. But still the wickets fell, even if in a trickle rather than the torrent that started New Zealand’s first innings, and at 36 for three their target of 254 still feels very distant. The run chase started terribly, with Tom Latham edging the third ball high to Harry Brook at second slip. Thereafter Kane Williamson and Devon Conway were resolute – and, in the latter’s case, on the right side of an umpire’s call – as they clung on until the final minutes of the day, when Williamson was trapped lbw by Josh Tongue and Will O’Rourke, the nightwatcher, was bowled by Gus Atkinson. In the end the only thing that effectively stemmed the stream of dismissals was stumps. Continue reading...

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1st Test, D4: England, 140 & 226; New Zealand, 113 & 138 Gus Atkinson takes five for 30 as home bowlers dominate England wrapped up victory over New Zealand before lunch at Lord’s on day four, claiming the first Test of a three-match series. New Zealand resumed on 55 for five, still 199 runs from their target after a rain-hit third day. Their hosts struck quickly, Josh Tongue trapping Will Blundell lbw for just four in the first full over of the day. Simon Burnton’s full report will follow Continue reading...