New Delhi: Batting maestro Joe Root, who is currently reigning as the no. 1 Test batter in the ICC rankings, endured a heartbreaking duck during the second day’s proceedings of the first Test between New Zealand and England at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. To add more salt to it, Root is currently featuring in his 150th Test of his international career. In the first essay, he didn’t have a great outing.
England were put into early trouble on Friday (Day 2) morning as New Zealand debutant Natham Smith ripped through the top order of the visitors. After New Zealand were wrapped up for 348, England were 45/3 at Lunch, courtesy of Smith who removed Jacob Bethell as his first Test wicket and went on to scalp out Test great Root in the same over. It was the final over of the morning session before players walked in for Lunch.
Bethell edged behind for only 10 while Root chopped on for a four-ball duck as Smith boasted figures of 2/12 before heading into the break. England opener Zak Crawley 0(12) was the first wicket as he got out in the fourth over, opting not to review after New Zealand pacer Matt Henry trapped him on the pads. Fellow opener Ben Duckett 46(62) was given a lifeline on 23 at the slip by Kiwi skipper Tom Latham but was eventually removed post Lunch by William O’Rourke.
Watch Root’s wicket here –
Instant impact from Nathan Smith. He gets Joe Root for a duck 🦆😂😭🔥🏏 Great chance for the Blackcaps to capitalize post lunch 😅
🎥 @BLACKCAPS #NZvENG#NZLvENG pic.twitter.com/kVcVsgTeHG
— Erick Stwebile 🇿🇦 (@Thekeycritic) November 29, 2024
New Zealand 1st innings
New Zealand were bowled out for 348 following a career-best performance from England fats bowler Brydon Carse who notched 4/64 in the first innings. All-rounder Glenn Phillips scored an unbeaten 58, hitting his fifth Test fifty as he batted out with the tail. Kiwi stalwart Kane Williamson was dismissed for 93 on Day 1 and New Zealand ended the first day at 319/8.
The hosts went for Tea at a healthy 193/3 but slumped to 252/7 before Phillips and Henry halted the collapse and started rebuilding the innings. They partnered for a spirited 46-run stand for the eighth wicket. Shoaib Bashir, who is the only specialist spinner in the Test, was the chief destroyer for England with 4/69. After 28 overs of the first innings, England were 106/4, trailing the Blackcaps by 242 runs.
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