Second Test, day one:
England 258-7 v New ZealandBurns 81, Lawrence 67*, but Crawley, Root and Bracey failOn a day when England’s failings were often familiar and New Zealand’s strengths likewise, perhaps most important of all was the soundtrack of glorious, constant hubbub that accompanied it all. Half-centuries from Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence and some handy help late in the day from Olly Stone and Mark Wood allowed the home side to end the first day of their second Test against the Black Caps at 258 for seven, and a match that had seemed to be running away from them hung once again in the balance.
Last week
New Zealand excelled at Lord’s with a team only Trent Boult away from full strength; this week they made six changes, allowing their captain, Kane Williamson, to rest a sore elbow and their wicketkeeper BJ Watling a bad back, and for long periods had England pinned to the ropes once again. It was hard, however, to be disheartened on a day when the sun – eventually, for the final hour or so – shone and a real crowd convened.