LONDON: Top-order batsman Henry Nicholls’ unbeaten century gave New Zealand a substantial second innings lead over England on the third day of the second Test at The Oval on Friday after Matt Henry’s five-wicket haul.
At the end of play on the third day, the visitors were 252/3, leading by 352 runs, with seven second innings wickets in hand.
Earlier, England, who started the first innings at 222/6 for New Zealand’s 391, could add 69 more to their overnight score despite Matthew Fisher’s unbeaten half-century.
The home side slumped to 236/8 after losing overnight batsmen Jordan Cox (27) and Jofra Archer (eight) in the first six overs.
Following the back-and-forth, Fisher put up remarkable resistance against the New Zealand bowling attack and added valuable runs to England’s total with an unbeaten 50 off 77 balls with the help of 6 fours.
Henry took charge of New Zealand’s bowling in the first innings with a five-wicket haul. He was supported by fellow pacer Will O’Rourke with two runs, while Nathan Smith and Kyle Jamieson chipped in with a scalp each.
With 100 runs in their favour, New Zealand’s batting unit maintained momentum despite a stuttering start to their second innings, which lost both openers Devon Conway (11) and Tom Latham (four), with just 28 runs on the board, courtesy of the anchor Ravitcher partnership between the third wickets.
Both batted brilliantly and put on 161 runs for the third wicket, during which both scored their respective fifties.
Jacob Bethel’s 99-ball 76 with 15 fours helped England get a much-needed breakthrough in the final session by dismissing Ravindra.
Meanwhile, Nicholls continued his dominance over the home side’s bowlers during an unbeaten 69-run partnership with Daryl Mitchell, who reached his 11th Test century.
He was the top-order top-scorer in New Zealand’s second innings with an unbeaten 119 off 164 balls and will resume the second innings alongside Mitchell, who made 32 not out off 43 balls on the final day.
For England, Josh Tongue, Archer and Bethel could claim a wicket each on the third day.