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BSP-03
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New Zealand breakthrough as Burns run out for 101
HAMILTON, New Zealand, Dec 1, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Rory Burns thrived on
fielding errors to post his second Test century and was then run out as
England continued to advance in the second Test against New Zealand on
Sunday.
At tea on day three in Hamilton, England were 218 for three after Burns
and Root had added 177 for the third wicket.
Root, celebrating a return to form, was on 84 with Ben Stokes on 10.
With England looking to replicate New Zealand’s winning formula in the
first Test they needed long partnerships to build a healthy lead in an
attempt to bowl New Zealand out on the final day.
Burns and Root obliged with Burns leading a charmed life when he was
dropped on 10 and 19 and on 87 survived a run-out opportunity when New
Zealand botched the return throw.
He progressed confidently to 100 with a single to fine leg off Neil Wagner
but then two balls later he was gone, paying the price for ambling through
for the first single when Root called for two.
Burns accelerated through the return leg but after a lengthy deliberation
by the TV umpire he was found to be a centimetre short when BJ Watling broke
the stumps.
With the docile pitch doing no favours for the bowlers, New Zealand needed
to make the most of the few opportunities they had, with Burns’ wicket their
first success on day three.
Wagner did his best to trouble the batsmen with his stock bouncers but
apart from striking Burns on the shoulder and the chest, the batsmen were
never seriously under pressure.
It has been a crucial innings for England skipper Root who has struggled
with the bat recently, leading to questions about whether the added pressure
of captaincy was affecting his form.
His unbeaten 84 is his highest score in 15 Test innings since he notched a
century against the West Indies in February.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0936 hrs