New Zealand vs England: Harry Brook and Brydon Carse give tourists upper hand in second Test
It was a chaotic day, breathless cricket the last time these two sides met on this land, New Zealand’s classic game Win or lose by one point Early last year.
Tom Latham became the 17th consecutive Test captain to win the toss and toss here, only for Stokes to claim he would bat. The visitors were faced with a biting and skilful Kiwis, so they responded in the only way they knew how: attacking.
This is the best and worst of “Buzz Ball.” Crawley’s swing was a desperate attempt to overturn a poor record against the Blackcaps, with Jacob Bethell caught in a short-ball trap. Ben Duckett, Joe Root and Stokes all provided the edge. The tail disappeared in a blur of four wickets in 16 balls.
During this period, Brooke played a stunning knock with the support of Pope, who once again made a crucial contribution as the No. 6 batsman. They scored more than just running the ball, proving England’s ethos that attack is the best way to defend.
It was only when New Zealand batted that normal cricket began to break out, albeit with much less ball movement. Carse, who took 10 wickets in the first Test, was a gem unearthed by Stokes and Brendon McCullum and impressed again.
First there was the swoop to catch Rachin Ravindra, then the one-two punch of Williamson and Mitchell.
England were in the lead and had a further advantage in bowling the last delivery, which already hinted at an imbalance.
