London: All-rounder Glenn Phillips’ maiden century helped New Zealand edge to a first-innings lead on the second day of the second Test against England on Thursday thanks to a combined performance by the fast bowlers.
At the end of play on day two, the hosts were 222/6, a further 169 runs behind, with Jordan Cox and Jofra Archer unbeaten on 22 and zero respectively.
A pulsating second day of the current tournament began with New Zealand resuming their first innings at 291/7 through Phillips and Kyle Jamieson.
Phillips and Jamieson frustrated the England bowlers and stretched their overnight partnership to 87 before Jacob Bethel hit a blistering 41 with seven fours.
The all-rounder then shared a 24-run partnership with Matt Henry (five) during which he brought up his century in four balls.
Phillips was New Zealand’s top scorer with 100 off 135 balls with 18 boundaries.
Bethel was the standout bowler for England with 3 for just 26 from his 10 overs, with Sonny Baker, Matthew Fisher and Jofra Archer picking up 2 each and Josh Dungu a scalp.
In reply, the hosts got off to a spirited start as their opening pair of Ben Duckett and Emilio Kay were run out after putting on 45 runs off 46 balls after scoring 36 off 25 balls.
Kay then put on two crucial partnerships for England with Bethel (nine) and stand-in captain Joe Root before falling to Will O’Rourke after the tea break. He returned after top-scoring for the home team with a cautious 53 off 114 balls with the help of nine fours.
Root then put on 28 runs for the fourth wicket with Harry Brook. Both fell in quick succession, resulting in England slumping to 177/5.
The stand-in captain was the notable run-scorer in England’s first innings with 46 off 57 balls, while Brook scored 24 off 32 balls.
Following the setback, wicketkeeper pair James Reve (24) and Cox looked to recover as they added 40 runs for the sixth wicket, which O’Rourke chipped away in the dying minutes of the day.
Cox was then joined by lower-order batsman Archer in the middle and both batted sensibly to prevent the home side from sustaining any further setbacks before the stumps.
For the New Zealand side, experienced Matt Henry and O’Rourke took 2 wickets each and Nathan Smith took one wicket.