2nd Test: Daryl Mitchell holds the fort for New Zealand as Nottingham Test poised for a thrilling finish
India Today
ENG vs NZ: 2nd Test: Joe Root scored 176 runs for the Three Lions, but New Zealand are still in with a chance to secure victory in the Nottingham Test.
The second Test between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham is currently on a knife edge. At the close of play on Day 4, both teams are in with a chance to secure victory. But since the Black Caps are 0-1 behind, they will be looking to start the fifth day on a positive note.
The fourth day's play started with Joe Root carrying on after scoring his 27th Test ton. The fact that he played Tim Southee for a six over the third man region with a reverse scoop showed the form he is in.
Root went on to score 176 runs off 211 balls with the help of 26 fours and one six before Trent Boult accounted for his prized scalp. Ben Foakes also chipped in with a handy 56, after which he got run out.
The English lower order couldn’t show much resilience as England conceded a small, yet crucial 14-run lead to the Black Caps. Boult was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis as he finished with figures of 33.3-8-106-5. Michael Bracewell also got three important wickets.
In the second innings, the Kiwis lost the early wicket of stand-in skipper Tom Latham. Veteran pacer James Anderson rattled his woodwork and also became the third bowler to pick up 650 Test wickets after Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne.
Will Young and Devon Conway steadied the ship after scoring 56 and 52 respectively. But after a 100-run stand between the duo, New Zealand lost their way a wee bit.
Tom Blundell and Bracewell got starts before getting out. Daryl Mitchell, who was fresh from scoring a century in the first innings, was one of the overnight batters.
