2nd Test, Day 2: New Zealand on top over England
What's the story
England are in a precarious position against New Zealand in the second Test at The Oval. After a promising first day, the absence of captain Ben Stokes was felt as England's batting line-up faltered on Day 2. New Zealand went from 291/7 overnight to 391 all out, and England were left 222/6 at stumps, trailing by 169 runs. Glenn Phillips scored his maiden Test century after resuming the day on an unbeaten 49.
Gay
Gay stabilizes England's innings after NZ score 391
In response to New Zealand's 391, England started their innings on a positive note. However, Ben Duckett was run out by Nathan Smith at mid-off after scoring 36 runs off 25 balls. Duckett and Gay added 45 runs. England were reduced to 68/2 next with Jacob Bethell's dismissal. Gay and Joe Root put on a promising partnership, adding 74 runs for the 3rd wicket. Gay looked solid and defended well. However, he was dismissed shortly after his fifty.
Batting collapse
England's batting woes continue
England's batting woes continued as they lost three wickets for just 35 runs, slipping to 177/5. James Rew fell to Will O'Rourke late in the day, leaving England at 222/6 with their tail exposed. Jordan Cox was unbeaten on 22 while Jofra Archer had yet to score. The home side also missed an opportunity when Ben Duckett dropped Kyle Jamieson on 15.
Numbers
20th fifty in FC cricket for Gay
Gay's knock was laced with 9 fours. He now owns 118 runs from 3 innings at 39.33 (50s: 2). As per ESPNcricinfo, Gay is appearing in his 75th First-Class match. Across 127 innings, he has amassed 4,820 runs at an average of 39-plus. Gay slammed his 20th fifty in FC cricket. He also owns 13 hundreds.
6,500
Joe Root completes 6,500 runs in ICC World Test Championship
Root managed 46 runs for England. Root added 74 runs for the 3rd wicket. He then put on another 28 runs alongside Harry Brook before perishing to pacer Matt Henry. Root touched the 6,500-run mark in his 76th WTC match (now 6,535). Across 139 innings, he has an average of over 51. His tally of 23 tons is also the most in WTC history. Australia's Smith follows Root with 14 tons. The latter has an outstanding conversion rate, scoring 22 half-centuries.
Bowling brilliance
New Zealand's bowlers dominate the day
New Zealand's bowlers dominated the day, with O'Rourke impressing with his pace and bounce. Henry dismissed both Root and Brook LBW, leaving England reeling. Brook perished for a 32-ball 24. Despite a dropped catch by Ravindra, O'Rourke ensured it didn't matter in the end. He was instrumental in trapping both Root and Brook on the crease for LBW dismissals.
Century celebration
Phillips's maiden Test century bolsters New Zealand
Phillips celebrated his maiden Test century with a single off Archer. He was instrumental in New Zealand's innings, which ended at 391 all out. England's bowlers struggled to contain the Kiwis, with Jacob Bethell taking three wickets but conceding 26 runs. The rest of the English attack failed to make significant breakthroughs as New Zealand extended their lead over England on day two of the second Test at The Oval.
Do you know?
Jacob Bethell records his career-best innings returns in Tests
England's Bethell (3/26) gave NZ twin blows in the form of Tom Blundell and Nathan Smith before stumps on Day 1. On Day 2, he broke the crucial stand between Phillips (51) and Kyle Jamieson (4). The duo added 87 runs. Bethell's 3/26 are now his best innings returns in Tests.