Eng vs NZ 2nd Test | England dominates New Zealand on rain-affected second day

For the second day in a row rain has come to New Zealand’s rescue in the second cricket test, saving it from an even greater mauling by England

For the second day in a row, rain came to New Zealand’s rescue in the second cricket test, saving it from an even greater mauling by England.

On the first day the rain came after only 65 overs when England already was 315-3. With Harry Brook making 186 and Joe Root an unbeaten 153 in a 302-run partnership, England was able to declare its first innings at 435-8.

And when the rain came again on Saturday not long after tea, New Zealand was 138-7, still 297 behind. Tom Blundell was 25 and Tim Southee on 23.

James Anderson with 3-37 and Jack Leach with 3-45 wrecked the New Zealand first innings and sent the home team to the locker room in a light shower, welcoming the chance of a reprieve.

Brook dominated New Zealand on the first day and was 184 — his highest test score and fourth century in five tests — when the rain came on the first day. Root was 101.

Brook faced only seven balls Saturday before he was out for 186 but Root turned his 29th century into the 13th score of his career in excess of 150. From the start of the day, England appeared to be racing towards a declaration and it came this time after 87 overs.

“I certainly felt I found a way to manage the situation throughout this game,” Root said. “At the time I did it was great to be able to just calm things down and wrestle a bit of momentum back in our favor.