Devon Conway’s fifties (80) and Will Young (82) led New Zealand to 229-3, losing 74 races, after the second day of the second test; England was eliminated by 303, with Dan Lawrence stranded at 81; Watch the third day from 10.15am Saturday on Sky Sports Cricket
Will Young achieved a record of 82 to put New Zealand in a solid position at Edgbaston
New Zealand got into a strong position in the second Test against England thanks to the half centuries of Devon Conway and Will Young.
After England were eliminated by 303, with Dan Lawrence stranded at 81 not out, Conway (80) and Young (82) made the most of a good fortune to help the Black Caps close the second day at 229-3, losing. for only 74.
Fresh off his double ton in Lord’s debut, Conway survived at 22 when the third referee judged his lead over Zak Crawley to have been punished, much to the chagrin of England, while Young fell by sliding with just seven to his name, and the pair continued to share a 122 spot for the second wicket.
Stuart Broad (2-22) broke partnership with the second of his two wickets, taking it to 520 in test cricket and ahead of Courtney Walsh for sixth on the all-time list.
Young fell to what turned out to be Lawrence’s last ball of the day (1-8) but, after his third-place finish of 92 with Ross Taylor (46th), New Zealand remains in a commanding position on day three.
The day started with England hoping to hit 300 with Lawrence, the man who was expected to do most of the work.
Instead, Mark Wood came out shooting and finished the day’s first over by punching Trent Boult through additional coverage for four, the first of England’s No. 9’s six limits in the first five overs.
That flurry brought the home team to 288-7, but Matt Henry (3-78) ended Wood’s fun at 41 when he ripped his stump, through the inside rim and when Broad (0) pushed Boult from behind. in the next, England. they were in danger of not reaching that 300 mark.
However, James Anderson (4), who received a standing ovation in his record-breaking 162nd Test Match, held out long enough to allow Lawrence to reach his career-best Test score within a few limits and allow for England to advance. his way up to 303 before number 11 went lbw to Boult (4-85).
New Zealand lost substitute captain Tom Latham (6) early, the southpaw snagged in the crease and righted himself when Broad attacked from the wicket, but that turned out to be the only damage they suffered before lunch.
That only told half the story though, as England were clearly impressed after Broad found Conway’s outer edge, only for the third referee, after a gentle ‘no go’ signal on the field. , judging that the ball had been supported before. Crawley claimed the catch, despite replays suggesting the fielder stuck his fingers underneath.
England’s frustrations were added shortly after lunch when Young, at seven, edged out Olly Stone on the first slip, only for Joe Root to juggle and then drop a regulation opportunity.
It set the tone for an afternoon session in which the home team had to work hard, Conway made test hitting seem like the simplest thing in the world in just his second game while sailing to a fifty-five ball and Young seized. It piled up slowly as the Stand reached three figures on a flat surface.
Where New Zealand found movement in the air after lunch on the first day, it was necessary to change the ball just before tea for England’s bowlers to do the same.
The feel of the game changed in an instant when Broad whistled a couple of balls past Young’s outer edge before halftime and then Broad and Anderson flew out of the traps to start the evening session.
Suddenly, the ball hit the bat with great regularity. But when the breakthrough came, it was through a rare loose ball on Broad’s leg stump; Conway pushed it away in style, only to watch it sail into the deep square where Crawley was waiting to catch it.
There was no truce on the part of Anderson or Broad, game and error followed game and error, but there was no advantage and two brilliantly skilled spells of swing and seam bowling resulted in a single wicket, caught in the depths.
Anderson had Taylor dole out lbw, only for Young to persuade his partner to check and tracking the ball showed the ball was comfortably missing a leg.
Meanwhile, Young had struggled for half a century with 132 balls and with England’s best bowlers out of attack, racing became much easier.
The pair appeared to be sailing through the stumps with England turning towards Root and Lawrence’s part-time turn, only for the latter to give the Hollies Stand one last thing to cheer on when he had Young caught in the short leg by Ollie Pope from the last ball of the day to claim his first test wicket.
Watch the third day of the second test between England and New Zealand starting at 10.15am. M., Saturday at Sky Sports Cricket.
