England strengthen the opposition position New Zealand on Day 2 of the second Test at the Basin Reserve, Wellington. The day began with New Zealand resuming their innings at 86/5, but collapsed under relentless bowling pressure, being bowled out for just 125. Fast bowling Gus Atkinson he stole the spotlight early with an interesting hat trick, leaving the guests reeling.
Atkinson retired Nathan Smith, Matt Henryand Tim Southee in successive deliveries to complete his feat, becoming the 15th England bowler to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket. His attempt, along with Brydon Carseand sharp spells, assured that New Zealand managed to add just 39 runs to their overnight total. Carse had been sent back earlier Tom Blundell and the night watchman William O'Rourke quickly, effectively removing the host's resistance.
Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett dominate the bat
With a first innings lead of 155 runs, England's batsmen came out with aggressive intent. Although Zak Crawley fell early to Matt Henry for the fourth time in a row, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell formed a scintillating second-wicket partnership. The two bowlers put New Zealand under a lot of pressure, smashing boundaries and sixes at will.
Duckett and Bethell raced to their fifties, keeping the scoreboard going at a fast pace. However, both batsmen fell quickly to Southee, almost missing out by centuries. Bethell lifted one to the keeper for 96, while Duckett pulled a delivery onto his stumps after scoring 92.
Joe Root and Harry Brook extend England's mandate
The wickets before Tea gave New Zealand a glimmer of hope, though Joe Root and Harry Brook England's onslaught continued in the final session. Their fluent partnership extended England's lead well past 400, while Root showed his class with an unbeaten 73, marking his 65th Test fifty. Brook, who had scored a century in the first innings, quickly added another 55 before miscuing a high shot to long-on.
Henry gave New Zealand some relief by dismissing Ollie Pope late in the day, but the England skipper Stokes Mountain add to the misery. Stokes smashed an unbeaten 36 off just 26 balls, ensuring that England ended the day in complete control with a huge lead of 533 runs.
Also WATCH: NZ vs ENG – Gus Atkinson lights up Basin Reserve with brilliant hat-trick on Day 2 of second Test
Confirmation of England's eye as Day 3 arrives
With Root well-placed for his 36th Test century and England in a commanding position, a reassurance could be on the cards early on Day 3. New Zealand, already under huge pressure, face an uphill battle hill to save the Test and the series.
Here's how Twitter reacted
The largest lead taken by teams from the WTC.
661 – BAN vs AFG, 2023
556 – IND vs GAE, 2024
539 – IND vs NZ, 2021
533 – ENG vs NZ, 2024, Today
533 – IND vs AUS, 2024#NZvsENG #NZvENGโ Vishwesh Gaur (@iumvishwesh) December 7, 2024
Cricket is not just a game but a feeling ๐ #AUSWIN #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/2QgvoPKrBg
โ Alyโก (@alycricket) December 7, 2024
NZ in the last 12 months in Tests
1-1 Draw vs BAN
2-0 win against the USA D team
2-0 loss to AUS
2-0 loss against SL
Win 3-0 against IND in IND
Ready to miss the first 2 series of Eng Exams at homeโฆ.
A disastrous but still brilliant performance in India #NZvENGโ JSK (@imjsk27) December 7, 2024
New Zealand's worst performance in a home series after their best performance in an away series is another reminder of the way Test cricket has gone this year with results out of 'box around #NZvENG https://t.co/6R2i3kBfKd
โ Prem Mohanty ๐โฝ๏ธ (@philipbkk) December 7, 2024
This is a little start to a testing career!! Good luck Gus Atkinson ๐ #NZvENG https://t.co/tZEz6goTjY
โ Ross Wakely (@RossWakely) December 7, 2024
๐ 500,000 without being out.
๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ COUNTY WERE THE FIRST TEAM TO SCORE 500,000 RUNS IN MEN'S TESTS#WTC25 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/LUkgpYNB4Q
โ Suvranil Singha Chowdhury (@SuvranilSinghaC) December 7, 2024
England with 533 runs leads that too just after 2 days ๐๐ซก#NZvENG
โ VK45 ๐ฎ๐ณ (@sportslovervk45) December 7, 2024
๐ณ๐ฟ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ฟ STUMPS | England are 378/5 and lead by 533 runs!
Sovereignty.
Watch #NZvENG LIVE on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK ๐ pic.twitter.com/8WmH7uKdKB
โ The Barmy Army of England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ฟ๐บ (@TheBarmyArmy) December 7, 2024
What the hell is going on with New Zealand Cricket? How can they go from beating India 3-0 away to this? Huh? #NZvENG
โ KierenBrown (@nandbkieren) December 7, 2024
5๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ3๏ธโฃ-run lead at the end of day 2 England are firmly in control ๐ฅ#WTC25 | ๐#NZvENG: https://t.co/ppFIxgsE8A pic.twitter.com/EMLjXNPZVi
โ Turk Noor mohd (@TurkMohd40008) December 7, 2024
A great day for England. Well on track to end the winning streak. #NZvENG
– Paul Barker (@skybluepablo1) December 7, 2024
Also WATCH: NZ vs ENG – Daryl Mitchell hits a stunning one-handed stunner to dismiss Joe Root on Day 1 of the second Test
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