3rd Test: Jonny Bairstow hundred, Craig Overton 89* lead England's comeback against New Zealand on Day 2
India Today
England vs New Zealand 3rd Test: Jonny Bairstow combined with Craig Overton to lead England's stunning comeback against New Zealand on Day 2.
Johnny Bairstow and debutant Jamie Overton forged a thrilling unbeaten seventh-wicket stand of 209 in 223 balls to lift England to 264 for six at the close of the second day of the third Test against New Zealand on Friday.
Bairstow was unbeaten on 130 from 126 balls, while number eight Overton showed his genuine all-round qualities with an equally eye-catching 89 not out from only 106 deliveries. England trail the tourists' first innings score of 329 by 65 runs at Headingley but will be delighted with their fightback after they slipped to 55 for six in their reply.
It is the highest seventh-wicket partnership for England against New Zealand and Overton's score is the most by an England player on debut batting at number eight or lower. The pair did it in some style too, with a mix of aggressive hitting and deft stroke-making as New Zealand were simply unable to slow the flow of runs.
England collapsed to 91/6 at Tea against New Zealand on day two of the third Test as Ben Stokes' promise to play entertaining cricket backfired badly with Trent Boult destroying the top order at Headingley on Friday.
A partnership worth 209 runs so far has dug England out of a huge hole. Jonny Bairstow 130* Jamie Overton 89*#ENGvNZ | #WTC23 | Scorecard: https://t.co/vpeNFuhZtR pic.twitter.com/dlY434Xqy4
England, which holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, trails New Zealand by 238 runs. The afternoon session started promisingly for England, who claimed two quick wickets to end New Zealand's first innings on 329 after the visitors went to lunch at 325/8. England spinner Jack Leach took 5/100. Boult (3/43) quickly reduced England to 17/3 by clean bowling openers Alex Lees (4) and Zak Crawley (6), followed by Ollie Pope (5).
