New Zealand scored a mammoth 318 runs for losing four shots on the first day of its second test match against England.
Stuart Broad reacts after missing out on being fired. (Allowed: Reuters)
HIGHLIGHTS
- I gave up four chances on the first day of the second test
- All New Zealand batsmen found start
- James Anderson and Ben Stokes each took two on the first day
He missed 318 runs on the first day of his second test match at Trent Bridge, against New Zealand without Kane Williamson. The hosts opted to score first after a stellar performance in the first game of the series, but the decision soon backfired as the Tom Latham-led team comfortably scored.
Ben Stokes’ decision to take the field was criticized for the first time, with pundits questioning whether the captain missed a trick. However, England’s bowling coach, Jon Lewis, said he was pleased with the performance and that the scoreboard would have looked significantly different had the catches were in the hands of the athletes.
“The most important part of the decision on the throw was that it was aggressive play. We were going to beat New Zealand. Unfortunately we missed a few chances but that’s cricket,” Lewis said.
England missed four chances during the day, with the most important being Daryl Mitchell, who still didn’t stay out of 81 of 147 balls, securing a 149* partnership with Tom Blundell.
“You can always hit a slightly different length but we’re choosing, right now, choosing fiercely and courageously in what we do. I like areas where the guys bowling. i could easily hit them for 250 and be told by Lewis.
For England, only Ben Stokes and James Anderson were able to receive long-range shots. With the exception of Anderson, all bowlers are on the higher side of the economy scale, which will badly need to be fixed on Day 2 of the Test match. England lead 1-0 in a three-game test series, hoping to salvage some pride in the World Test Championship cycle under the leadership of Ben Stokes.
