New Zealand v England Test Match Series

Oh dear.
Looking grim early on .

I don't buy what Stokes said at the toss, claiming England wanted to bat, the pitch, conditions & history all suggest bowling first.

Good bowling but England have played their part in the wickets that have fallen with their over aggression. All a bit chaotic for my liking.

I feel a bit for Southee nearing Test Match retirement, he's been a high class bowler, but I get the impression that he is being targeted more than the other bowlers, perhaps due to his lack on pace.

Matt Henry has been in the shadows of Southee Boult & Wagner, he is finally getting regular games & proving what a class performer he is, a constant threat & doesn't often leak runs.

Brook is carrying on with his rich vein of form, mixing great shots with some good fortune.

[quote='Boomerangutangangbang' pid='2916505' dateline='1733435006']
New Zealand v England 2nd Test - Wellington Day 2 Close
Toss - New Zealand elected to field
England 280 (54.4 overs) Brook 123 Pope 66 Henry 2-43 O'Rourke 3-49 Smith 4861
New Zealand 125 (34.5 overs) Williamson 37 Atkinson 4-31 Carse 4-46
England 378-5 (76 over) Duckett 92 Bethell 96 Brook 55 Root 73 no Stokes 35 no Southee 2-72 Henry 2-76
[quote]

Nice to see Atkinson getting a hat trick. How many English bowlers have acheived the feat at Test Level ? I know Dominic Cork, and Darren Gough and I think Devon Mslcolm did as well. I'm sure Freddie has one or two.

In recent times, Cork & Gough yes, Hoggard & Sidebottom, Moen & Broad twice.

The England batting in this second innings so far has been better.
What I have really appreciated about it is the rotation of strike.
Lots of drop and run singles to keep things ticking along nicely.
Good to see.

[quote='Boomerangutangangbang' pid='2916850' dateline='1733529686']
[quote='Boomerangutangangbang' pid='2916505' dateline='1733435006']
New Zealand v England 2nd Test - Wellington Day 3 Session 2
Toss - New Zealand elected to field
England 280 (54.4 overs) Brook 123 Pope 66 Henry 2-43 O'Rourke 3-49 Smith 4861
New Zealand 125 (34.5 overs) Williamson 37 Atkinson 4-31 Carse 4-46
England 427-6 dec (82.3 over) Root 106 Duckett 92 Bethell 96 Brook 55 Stokes 39 no Southee 2-72 Henry 2-100
New Zealand 259 (54.2 over) Blundell 115 Smith 42 Mitchell 32 Latham 24 Stokes 3-5 Woakes 2-20 Carse 2-53 Bashir 2-110
England won by 323 runs
[quote]
[/quote]

Joe Root reached his century with a ramp shot over the slips. Sort of thing you can get away with when already having a lead well over 500 .
583 is a huge target and at lunch NZ are already 4 down with 59 runs made.

Never in doubt

New Zealand v England 3rd Test - Hamilton Day 1
Start time 22.00 GMT