Oval Test: NZ dominate Day 3; on top of England
What's the story
England's troubles in the second Test against New Zealand deepened on day three at The Oval. Debutant wicketkeeper James Rew dropped two catches, while Henry Nicholls scored a brilliant century. By the end of the day, New Zealand had posted 252/3 in their second innings, leading by 352 runs and looking set to level the series at 1-1. Earlier on Day 3, England were folded for 291 after scoring 222/6 at stumps on Day 2.
Missed opportunities
Drops catches by Rew hurt England
Rew, one of five changes made by England from the first Test-winning team at Lord's, missed two difficult yet catchable chances. He dropped Rachin Ravindra on seven while diving to his left and parried an attempted hook from Nicholls down the leg side when he was on 42. The New Zealand third-wicket pair added a massive 161 runs for their partnership. The two catches he dropped ended England's slim hopes of a fightback against New Zealand.
Batting struggles
England's below-par 1st innings
England surrendered a first-innings lead of 100 by getting bowled out for 291. The total was below par on a good pitch and would have been worse had it not been for number nine Matthew Fisher's maiden unbeaten half-century. From an overnight score of 222/6, the home side was reduced to 238/9 by Matt Henry's five-wicket haul before Fisher added 53 runs for the last wicket with debutant Sonny Baker.
Strategic gaps
England's decision to go without a frontline spinner backfires
With Ben Stokes absent from the team, England opted to go without a frontline spinner. This decision came back to haunt them on a pitch that was starting to turn and with a fast-bowling attack that had to be managed in the heat. Stand-in captain Joe Root's tactics were questioned as he struggled to marshal an inexperienced team without senior players like Stokes.
Ravindra
Rachin Ravindra shines with 76 versus England
Ravindra smashed 76 runs off 99 balls. His knock had 15 fours. Ravindra's knock saw him race to a tally of 1,764 runs from 23 matches (42 innings) at 47.67. He clocked his sixth half-century for the Kiwis (100s: 5). During his stay, he surpassed 200 fours as well (203). As per ESPNcricinfo, in 5 matches versus England, Ravindra has piled up 246 runs at 24.6. He managed his maiden fifty. In 12 away matches (21 innings), Ravindra now owns 867 runs at 48.16 (100s: 3, 50s: 3).
Nicholls
Henry Nicholls hammers his 11th century in Tests
Nicholls (119*) now owns over 3,275 runs at an average of around 40 from 59 matches (92 innings), as per ESPNcricinfo. He recorded his 11th hundred (50s: 12). In 11 matches versus England (18 innings), Nicholls owns two hundreds (50s: 1). He has scored 560-plus runs at 35-plus. Meanwhile, Nicholls surpassed 900 runs in 22 away matches (36 innings). He has two hundreds (50s: 2).
Information
Daryl Mitchell and Nicholls are at the crease
After Ravindra's dismissal, Daryl Mitchell joined Nicholls and the two added and unbeaten 63-run stand off 86 balls. Mitchell is unscathed on 32 runs off 43 balls. Nicholls has raced to 119*, slamming 16 fours.