Eng vs NZ 1st Test Live: Kiwis declares second innings with a lead of 272 runs on the fifth day of test match.
Eng vs NZ 1st Test Live: New Zealand extended their lead to 272 at the end of the first session on the final day at Lord’s thanks to some handy cameos from Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls.
The runs that came in quick time helped the visitors stretch their lead, giving themselves a chance to bowl England out for a late win, should they get the remainder overs in. Rain intervened forcing early lunch with New Zealand on 169 for 6, scoring 107 in the session despite losing four wickets in 22.3 overs, scoring at over four an over.
Can England Chase Down 273?
New Zealand started off slowly but that was because of some good, probing bowling from England’s seamers who were able to swing the ball upfront. Nightwatchman Neil Wagner departed early on the day as Ollie Robinson picked up his much-deserved third wicket.
Tom Latham joined hands with Ross Taylor to get a move on as Taylor found the boundaries, hitting two sixes in his 35-ball 33. They added 31 in 40 balls before Latham was set up beautifully by Stuart Broad who first bowled the outswinger, then the inswinger that was full and straight as Latham was trapped in front. It was Broad’s first Test wicket in over 80-plus overs.
Taylor and Nicholls kept the runs coming at a quick pace before departing within six overs of each other as New Zealand’s lead went over 250, with them having had resumed the day with a 165-run lead.
Mark Wood got Taylor before a good, sharp catch from Rory Burns gave Joe Root his first wicket when he sent back Nicholls. With 98 overs allotted for the day, the day still has 75 overs to go. All eyes will be on New Zealand’s declaration in the second session.
Brief scores: New Zealand 378 & 169/6 (Tom Latham 36, Ross Taylor 33; Ollie Robinson 3-26) lead England 275 (Rory Burns 132, Joe Root 42, Ollie Robinson 42; Tim Southee 6-43, Kyle Jamieson 3-85) by 272 runs.
