[ad_1]
Andrew Cornaga
Black Cap Tom Blundell led New Zealand’s charge on day two against England at Bay Oval.
Day 1, at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui: England 325-9 from 58.2 overs declared (Harry Brook 89 from 81, Ben Duckett 84 from 68, Ollie Pope 42 from 65; Neil Wagner 4-82, Tim Southee 2-71) plays New Zealand 306 from 82.5 overs (Tom Blundell 138 from 181, Devon Conway 77 from 151; Ollie Robinson 4-54, James Anderson 3-36).
Fight fire with grit and some serious ticker.
That was Tom Blundell’s approach on day two at Bay Oval on Friday, when he notched his fourth test ton to New Zealand’s fight back against ever-aggressive England.
Blundell’s career-best 138 from 181 balls spearheaded the Black Caps to a first innings score of 306 in the day-night test, just 19 runs shy of the toursts’ quick-fire 325.
The 32-year-old, who along with Daryl Mitchell held New Zealand together during their wretched tour of England last year, reached his milestone shortly after No 11 and debutant Blair Tickner barely clamped down on an Ollie Robinson yorker destined for his poles.
Blundell then went into attack-mode, peppering the boundary and turning the heat back on the visibly rattled tourists, who at one stage entertained thoughts of holding a 100-plus first innings lead.
He struck 19 fours and a six during his knock, and shared a 75-run partnership with Devon Conway and a 53-run stand with Scott Kuggeleijn to frustrate the Brendon McCullum-coached English even before he and Tickner combined for 59.
The keeper was particularity excellent off the back foot, carving spinner Jack Leach through the point region on numerous occasions.
Outside being given out caught behind on 74 – he promptly reviewed and the decision was reversed – Blundell’s only heart in mouth moment on his way to 100 was a shanked heave off Leach, one which barely found grass.
Andrew Cornaga
Black Cap Tom Blundel was excellent off the back foot against England on day two of the day-night test against England at Bay Oval on Friday.
New Zealand’s approach with willow in hand was, for the most part, anything like that of England’s free-flowing method the previous day, replaced by a gritty and determined approach, one which allowed punters to kick back, catch their breaths and watch traditional test match batting.
Conway, dropped at slip by Zak Crawley when he had nine runs to his name late on day one, struck a well compiled 77 from 151 balls, crucial runs after the Black Caps slumped to 83-5 when Mitchell shouldered arms to a Robinson delivery and was plumb lbw.
However, Conway looked like he needed a bucket after his dismissal to a Ben Stokes bouncer, one he lamely paddled straight to Ollie Pope at square leg to leave his side 158-6.
Conway, having shown no interest in taking evasive action to Stokes’ Wagner-like barrage of short bowling after lunch, had looked so at ease as New Zealand nibbled away at the deficit. To make matters worse, he threw it all away to the seventh ball of the 51st over after Stokes’ had over-stepped.
Nevertheless, Blundell dragged the hosts right back into the contest on a day that started with them well and truly on the back-foot, and will end with New Zealand’s bowlers lining up England under the lights.
[ad_2]