London: New Zealand were bowled out for 254 on the second day of the first Test at Lord’s on Friday.
At the end of day two, the tourists were reeling at 36/3 with left-arm opener Devon Conway unbeaten on 12 as they still needed 218 runs with seven wickets in hand.
After a 16-wicket opening day, the Blackcaps resumed their first innings at 61/6 with Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith adding 53 runs to their overnight score as they were bowled out for 113 in 29.5 overs.
Phillips, who had shown some resistance after Ollie Robinson dismantled New Zealand’s top order on the opening day, was cleaned up by Tong on the fifth delivery of the second day and returned to 34 off 39 balls with six fours.
Following his dismissal, No.9 batsman Kyle Jamieson took charge of New Zealand’s reply and scored an unbeaten 38 off 29 balls with 3 sixes and 2 fours. He shared a 17-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Smith, who contributed 15 runs off 18 balls.
The returning Robinson was England’s best bowler in his first innings with 5 wickets for just 39 runs in his 10.5 overs. He was supported by fellow fast bowler Tongu who took three runs while Atkinson took two.
With a 27-run lead in their favour, the home side’s batting unit put in a decent second innings performance as they were bowled out for 226 on the back of debutant Emilio Kay’s maiden half-century and set New Zealand a target of 254 on a bowling-friendly surface.
Kay led England’s batting in the second innings and top-scored with 57 off 95 balls anchored by 8 boundaries, while his opening pair Ben Duckett hit a blistering 33 off 46 balls as the duo scored 52 runs.
Apart from them, wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith and Robinson contributed to England’s total with 39 and 29 respectively.
Nathan Smith was the pick of the bowlers in New Zealand’s second innings as he recorded a brilliant 6/70 from his 17 overs. Will O’Rourke took 2 wickets and Matt Henry and Jamison took one each.
Chasing a tough target of 254, the tour team got off to a poor start as they lost skipper Tom Latham (nil) to the third ball of the innings.
Following an early stumble, veteran Kane Williamson (18) joined left-arm opener Conway in the middle and the duo batted cautiously to add 29 before Dungu trapped the former lbw to break the budding partnership in the 11th over.
Williamson’s performance prompted New Zealand to send in a night watchman, but the 24-year-old could not withstand the onslaught of the England fast bowlers as Atkinson ducked a six off the last delivery of the 12th over.