Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Cricket

England lose three wickets in six overs and struggle in bid to save first Test against New Zealand

, England lose three wickets in six overs and struggle in bid to save first Test against New Zealand

OPENERS Dom Sibley and Rory Burns and nightwatchman Jack Leach were all dismissed as England suffered three grievous blows in their attempt to save the First Test.

All three wickets fell in the final six overs of day four to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who had earlier piled on a huge partnership with wicketkeeper B.J.Watling, who scored an historic double century.

Dom Sibley walks off after losing his wicket

New boy Sibley had looked all at sea against Santner and should have been caught on 12 but Watling fumbled the chance behind the stumps.

It was not costly for New Zealand, however, because Warwickshire batsman Sibley had not added to his score when he prodded unnecessarily at a wide ball from Santner and this time Watling held on.

Burns was dropped on 31 when Tim Southee, diving forward at mid-wicket, could not cling onto the chance offered against Santner.

Again, the England batsman failed to capitalise on his good fortune. He was out a few balls later.

Surrey skipper Burns attempted an ambitious slog-sweep shot and succeeded only in skying an easy catch to square leg. It was an unwise shot with only three overs remaining.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Then, to what turned out to be the final ball of day four, Leach was snaffled at short leg as he lunged forward and the ball brushed his glove.

England had lost three wickets for seven runs and it means they will have only seven wickets standing as they aim to bat throughout the final day and secure a draw.

With Santner extracting extravagant turn and bounce, it will not be an easy task.

New Zealands first innings turned into an orgy of records – none of them making happy reading for Englands bowlers.

The Kiwis mountainous 615-9 declared was their highest in history against England, surpassing the 551-9 they made at Lords in 1973.

In terms of balls, the innings by Watling and Santner were the longest ever played against England in Test cricket by a No.6 and a No.8.

Watlings epic vigil, which spanned 473 deliveries, exceeded the 428-ball effort by Aussie Jack Fingleton in 1937. Sandters innings of 269 balls was longer than one of 243 by Indias Ravi Shastri in 1981.

Watling made the first double-century by a wicketkeeper against England and the first for New Zealand.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Even Englands total of 21 wides in an innings equals the world Test record.

Over after over, session after session went by without England taking a wicket. They actually managed just two wickets in a period of 153.5 overs spread across days two, three and four.

It is the sixth time in less than four years away from home that England have conceded more than 600 runs in an innings. Their bowlers really do struggle overseas with the Kookaburra ball when the pitch is flat and the batsmen are hungry.

Santner bats in glasses – like Leach – and accelerated after passing fifty and reached his maiden Test century with a flurry of shots. He was eventually caught on the boundary trying to hit his sixth six.

The seventh-wicket stand yielded 261 runs in 83.2 overs. It drove Joe Root and his players to the edge of despair.

Southee patted back a return catch to Leach and Watling finally departed when he edged a catch off Jofra Archer. The Sussex fast bowler claimed his only wicket with the final ball of his 42nd over. Hard work for a lad in only his fifth Test and first on the road..

It was the first time Watling had been dismissed in 779 balls in Test cricket because his previous innings was an unbeaten century against Sri Lanka.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Golf

Augusta National, the prestigious golf club that hosts the Masters tournament every April, is known for its beauty and exclusivity. However, behind the scenes...

Premier League

Pochettino Questions Southgate's Decision Mauricio Pochettino has subtly criticized Gareth Southgate after Ben Chilwell returned from England duty with a knee injury, casting doubt...

Premier League

Gary Neville's Opinion Manchester United legend Gary Neville has urged his former club to stick with Erik ten Hag this summer as he is...

Premier League

Chelsea Fans Concerned Chelsea fans are growing increasingly frustrated as the club's injury list continues to expand. The team is currently facing a crisis...

Premier League

Larry Lloyd's Football Career Former England and Nottingham Forest star Larry Lloyd has passed away at the age of 75. The legendary defender played...

Premier League

Bayern Munich Pursuit Fails Fulham's Joao Palhinha recently shared that a surprising transfer offer from West Ham came before his potential move to Bayern...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement