New Zealand assumed complete control of the second Test as Henry Nicholls’ century punished England errors on another day of frustration in the field at The Oval.
Nicholls claimed an 11th Test ton, finishing the day unbeaten on 119, after an innings-shifting 161-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra (76 off 99 balls) resurrected New Zealand from 28-2 following the early loss of openers Tom Latham (4) and Devon Conway (11).
Another fifty stand between Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell (32 not out off 43) added to England’s plight before a forgettable day was done, with the Black Caps 252-3 at stumps, 352 runs ahead.
England, inspired by Matt Fisher’s unbeaten 50, had managed to cut New Zealand’s lead to 100 before being bowled out for 291 on the stroke of lunch, but they were haunted by a string of missed opportunities.
Ravindra was dropped on seven by James Rew and survived on 67 when Emilio Gay failed to catch him at short leg, while debut wicketkeeper Rew also failed to snaffle a difficult chance when Nicholls was in the forties.
New Zealand in complete control at The Oval
England, resuming on 222-6, looked to have their work cut out bridging the 169-run gap to New Zealand’s first-innings total as Henry sealed his five-for in no time, ripping through the tail with the wickets of Jordan Cox, Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue for just three runs.
It left England on the ropes at 238-9 but, from a position of strength, New Zealand’s joy turned to frustration as their lead was whittled away by the unlikeliest of sources.
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England’s Matt Fisher hits his first-ever half-century in a Test match as he gives the home crowd at the Oval something to smile about against New Zealand.
The Black Caps fell into the same short-ball trap that had hampered England early on day two, labouring to take the final wicket as Fisher notched a maiden Test fifty in a defiant 53-run stand before Kyle Jamieson finally dismissed debutant Sonny Baker.
New Zealand returned to the crease holding a lead of 100, but England wasted no time applying pressure, striking early with the ball.
Captain Tom Latham faced just five balls before edging behind to Rew off Archer in the third over, before Tongue struck with the very first ball of his spell, Devon Conway edging to Harry Brook at slip for 11.
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Jofra Archer gets an early breakthrough to dismiss New Zealand captain Tom Latham.
New Zealand were rocking at 28-2 and should have lost their third when Tongue lured Ravindra forward on the drive, but the edge was spilled by Rew diving behind the stumps.
Nicholls and Ravindra consolidated, seeing New Zealand through to tea at 94-2 with a fifty stand, before successive off-side boundaries took Nicholls to his half-century after the restart.
The Black Caps’ runs flowed in the evening session, with England’s frustration mounting when Rew failed to reach a difficult chance to remove Nicholls on 42.
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Josh Tongue claims his first wicket with his first delivery as England remove New Zealand’s Devon Conway.
Ravindra brought up a classy half-century from 79 balls with a crunching boundary through point, but England’s frustration deepened soon after when he was handed another reprieve, Gay spilling a chance at short leg off Bethell.
Bethell finally broke the partnership, trapping Ravindra lbw, but the wicket failed to derail New Zealand or Nicholls, who sealed his century with a four.
Ravindra departed with New Zealand’s lead already greater than the highest successful run chase at The Oval (263), before Mitchell and Nicholls blasted 63 off 86 balls to hammer home the tourists’ advantage.
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England’s Jacob Bethell claims Rachin Ravindra’s wicket as the New Zealand batsman goes for a strong 76 off 98 balls.
New Zealand in ‘dominant position’
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton:
“Everything is in New Zealand’s favour right now.
“The partnership between Ravindra and Nicholls shut the door on England and there is still plenty of batting to come.
“New Zealand are in a dominant position.”
New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls celebrates his 11th Test century, against England at The Oval (PA Images)
‘England look weary’
Sky Sports Cricket’s Simon Doull:
“Losing a couple of wickets early – they were 28-2 – the partnership between Nicholls and Ravindra has put New Zealand in a terrific position to try and dictate terms tomorrow.
“It’s a tough ask for England: Matt Fisher is playing in just his second Test and first for some years; we’ve talked about Sonny Baker’s enthusiasm, but that takes it out of you.
“Baker is going to feel tired, as will Jofra Archer, having only bowled four overs apiece for the last two-and-a-half months.
“England look weary, after a warm day on a very good surface.”
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New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls reflects on their strong showing on day three against England, where he also struck 119 not out.
Nicholls: I’ve really enjoyed being back
New Zealand’s Henry Nicholls, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket after his unbeaten 119:
“It’s obviously a great day, personally, but also from the team’s perspective – to bowl them out with a lead and then be where we are now, it’s exactly what we wanted.
“It was a bit of a shock to everyone [Kane Williamson retiring]. I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of my Test career with Kane, and I certainly knew that I wasn’t going to be able to replace such an incredible player.
“I’ve just really enjoyed being back in the team. You want to contribute. It was fun the partnership with Rachin, and then against with Daryl at the end there.”
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Lord’s) – England won by 115 runs
- Second Test (The Kia Oval) – June 17-21 (11am)
- Third Test (Trent Bridge) – June 25-29 (11am)
Watch the day two of the second Test between England and New Zealand live on Sky Sports Cricket on June 18 from 10am (first ball 11am).
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