Day 2 at the Hagley Oval has seen this Test Match propel forward in typical ‘Bazball’ fashion. Having left proceedings on Day 1 with the match hanging tightly in the balance, Glenn Phillips started the day in brilliant style, adding a further 29 runs to the Kiwi’s overnight score of 319/8, with an expansive shot selection, including one audacious ‘no look’ pedal for four runs, off the bowling of Chris Woakes.
With a first innings score of 348, the Blackcaps would’ve been the happier of the two sides, having comfortably surpassed the average first innings score at the Hagley Oval, of 278.
A Perilous Morning for England
The morning session was consumed by dark clouds, providing the seamers with excellent conditions to swing the ball, on a pitch that looks to get easier to bat on as the days go on. The opening pair of Tim Southee and Matt Henry were well aware of this, bowling a consistently fuller length than the English quicks had done the day before. It was Matt Henry who struck first for New Zealand, superbly setting up a timid Zak Crawley, with a barrage of away swingers, tunnelling through the fourth stump region, and eventually delivering a rapid inswinger that trapped Crawley low on the pads, sending him back to the shed for no score. First blood New Zealand.
The eager anticipation to see how debutant Jacob Bethell would fare batting at number three was answered early. Walking out to bat in the fourth over, Bethell was faced with some of the hardest conditions for a number three to have to deal with, and he was almost undone first ball, struck on the pads by a fired-up Matt Henry. However, credit has to be given to Bethell for the way he negated the skillful Kiwi openers. His footwork appeared to be excellent, as well as his patience, as he waited 12 balls to score his first run in test match cricket.
Having just reached double figures, the Kiwi debutant, Nathan Smith, procured his first Test wicket with a wonder delivery – back of a length, and just jagging away over off stump. Enough to find the edge of the Bajan-born number three. 3 balls before lunch, Smith struck again, as he was gifted a wicket by the number 1 batsman in the world, Joe Root, smashing the ball into his stumps for his first duck since 2022, in Karachi.
It’s safe to say that New Zealand convincingly took the first session, yet hope was not lost for England, as Ben Duckett remained on 32. Duckett was showing rare signs of restraint, leaving consecutive deliveries for the first time since his debut in 2016. Yet, as you would expect from the left-handed opener, his patience withered, spooning a short delivery from the expensive Will O’Rourke to Devon Conway at a wide fine leg, shortly after lunch. Yet another English collapse was on the cards, as Pope strode out to meet Harry Brook with the scores at 71-4.
Pope Bounces Back in Lavish Style
Many questions have been asked about Ollie Pope in the past months, and rightly so. His considerable struggles batting at number three have resulted in many calling for his removal, made difficult by his role as vice-captain, as well as the stubborn loyalty of McCullum and Stokes. Batting at number six this match may have proved beneficial for Pope. The last time that he was selected at number 6 was in Hobart, for the 5th Test of the 2021/22 Ashes. Scores of 16 and 5 were not enough to see him return to the role, until now!
His job as keeper in the first innings likely provided him with a good feel for the pace of the wicket, as he settled in quickly, rapidly drawing level on runs with Harry Brook. Together, the two dissected the Kiwi bowling attack, running well between the wickets, and scoring many of their runs cutting behind square, and through gully. Brook was dealt favor after favor in the field, as he was dropped on 18, 41, and 70 – by all three of the reserve wicketkeepers. Ironic.
Brook’s fortune was unfortunately unloaded onto Ollie Pope, who had been flawless for most of the innings. Cutting viciously at a wider delivery from veteran, Tim Southee, a boundary was certain – if not for the outstretched hands of the superhuman Glenn Phillips, atoning for his past blunder, by pulling off one of the best catches a cricketer could hope to grab. A classic late dive, fingertips stretched to their maximum capacity, followed by a tuck and roll to a deafening roar from the crowd. The dismissal of Pope for 77 saw the end of a thrilling 151 run partnership for the 5th wicket. A partnership that brought the match back to life.
Skipper Stokes and Bullish Brook Guide England to Stumps
Any hope of a Kiwi surge was quickly squashed by Brook, accompanied by captain Stokes. The two pounced on the tiring Kiwi attack, providing some fantastic entertainment for the crowd basking in the evening sun. Brook yet again showed his classy temperament, clinically punishing the dropped catches earlier on in the day, and effortlessly finding a new gear, as he shot to 132* by the end of the day. An unbeaten partnership of 97, saw England finish on 319-5.
A thrilling day of cricket comes to an end, with England taking bragging rights heading into Day 3. Trailing by 29 runs, England will look to build a strong first innings lead, with 5 wickets left in hand.
A seventh Test century for Harry Brook (132*) guiding England to Stumps on Day 2. Brook and Ben Stokes (37*) to resume in the morning with the deficit now 29 runs. Scorecard | https://t.co/Dq07gqeQRJ 📲 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/tjaqO3e2A4
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 29, 2024
