HAMILTON, New Zealand, Nov 29, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – England captain Joe Root
backed up his decision to bowl first with two classy catches, including one
to remove New Zealand talisman Kane Williamson in the opening session of the
second Test in Hamilton on Friday.
On a Seddon Park wicket renowned for favouring bowlers at the start before
flattening out, New Zealand were 86 for two at lunch.
Tom Latham, who had a leg before wicket dismissal overturned just before
the session ended, was unbeaten on 51 with Ross Taylor on 21.
England need to win if they are to square the series, and their decision to
stack the side with a battery of five seamers paid dividends when Root won
the toss and put New Zealand in to bat.
Stuart Broad quickly accounted for Jeet Raval, whose miserable streak
continued when he was caught by Root at first slip for five.
The New Zealand opener has scored just 64 runs in his last six innings.
Chris Woakes, who was added to England’s bowling line up at the expense of
Jack Leach’s spin, accounted for Williamson with a ball that seamed into the
batsman and was edged to a diving Root.
The New Zealand captain was gone for four with the total at 39 after the
first hour.
Latham, meanwhile, forged his way forward with seven fours in his 16th Test
fifty.
He was gifted a five early in his innings when he nudged a Woakes delivery
for a quick single and Zak Crawley’s shy at the stumps went well wide and
raced to the boundary.
Crawley is on debut to bolster England’s batting strength after Jos Buttler
was ruled out because of a back strain, with Ollie Pope taking over the
wicketkeeping duties.