London, June 6 (IANS). England has tightened its grip in the first Test match being played at Lord’s. Chasing the target of 254 runs set by the host team on the second day of the Test, New Zealand has scored 36 runs by the end of the day’s play after losing 3 wickets in the second innings. New Zealand still needs 218 runs to win and the team has 7 wickets left. Even in the second innings, Kiwi team captain Tom Latham could not show anything special with the bat and returned to the pavilion without opening the account. At the same time, Kane Williamson also became the victim of Josh Tong after scoring 18 runs after facing 36 balls.
William O’Rourke, sent as night watchman, was dismissed by Gus Atkinson on zero. Devon Conway remained at the crease after scoring 12 runs. Atkinson has taken 2 wickets in the second innings, while Josh Tong has taken one wicket in his name. Earlier, on the second day, the entire New Zealand team was all out after scoring 113 runs in the first innings. Glenn Phillips contributed 34 runs, while Kyle Jamieson remained unbeaten on 38 runs from 29 balls. In bowling, for England, Ollie Robinson took 5 wickets for 39 runs, while Josh Tong took 3 wickets. On the basis of first innings, England took a lead of 27 runs. In the second innings, the entire England team was all out after scoring 226 runs.
Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay gave a good start to the England team and added 52 runs for the first wicket. Duckett was out after scoring 33 runs in 46 balls. Jacob Bethel could not show anything special with the bat even in the second innings and became the victim of Matt Henry after scoring 14 runs. Nathan Smith sent Jose Root to the pavilion on the score of 8 runs, while Harry Brook was out without opening the account. Emilio batted well and played a half-century. He scored 57 runs in 95 balls with the help of 8 fours. Jamie Smith contributed 39 runs. Captain Ben Stokes was out without opening an account in the second innings, while Gus Atkinson contributed 14 runs. Ollie Robinson scored a valuable 29 runs. In bowling for New Zealand, Nathan Smith took 6 wickets for 70 runs. Whereas, William O’Rourke took 2 wickets.
–IANS
SM/AS