New Zealand could add a further 77 runs on Day 2 for the loss of six wickets as they folded for 438, thanks to an excellent spell from Ben Stokes, who finished with 4/70. In doing so, he became only the second all-rounder after Jacques Kallis to the double of 7,000 runs and 250 wickets in Tests. This came after Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157) put on a record 317 runs for the first wicket on Day 1.
Shoaib Bashir and Jofra Archer picked up two, while Joe Root and Gus Atkinson chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Duckett, Bethell rebuild
After New Zealand were bundled out on Day 2, Will O’Rourke got them off to the perfect start as he dismissed Emilio Gay for a duck in his very first over. However, that’s when Ben Duckett (113) and Jacob Bethell (74*) put on 179 off just 177 deliveries to bring England back into the game. Duckett played fearless cricket, striking at 114.14, on his way to his seventh Test ton.
He extended his good run of form at Trent Bridge, where he averages 100 in four innings, hitting two tons and as many fifties.
Bethell and Joe Root (21*) saw the rest of the day off and will hope to take a lead on Day 3.
Blow for NZ
However, New Zealand will have to go the entire match without their pacer Blair Tickner, who had to leave the field due to a concussion. He was hit on the head by Jofra Archer while batting. Tickner sent down three overs in the match, but he felt nauseated while fielding just before the start of the 22nd over and was taken off, as per concussion protocols.
“Blair Tickner has been ruled out of the remainder of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge with concussion after being struck on the head while batting in the first innings,” New Zealand said in a statement.
As a result, Zachery Foulkes has been named as the concussion substitute.
The three-match series is currently level at 1-1. England won the first Test at Lord’s by 115 runs but were thrashed by 253 runs in the second Test at The Oval. Stokes and Atkinson missed the second Test due to an investigation over their involvement in an incident at a nightclub in London. They were cleared of any wrongdoing and were back for this game.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 438 (Devon Conway 157, Tom Latham 151; Ben Stokes 4/70) lead England 223/2 (Ben Duckett 113, Jacob Bethell 74*; Will O’Rourke 1/39) by 215 runs
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