CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, (Reuters) – Stuart Broad took wickets with the first two balls of the day and England drove home the advantage to leave New Zealand facing defeat on 124 for four at lunch on the final day of the second test yesterday.
Opener Tom Latham, unbeaten on 65, and BJ Watling, who had made 15 not out, will resume after the break looking not so much to eat into England’s 257-run lead but to bat through the final two sessions to save a draw and ensure a 1-0 series triumph.
The hosts resumed on 42 without loss but Broad removed Jeet Raval (17) with his loosener before coming up with a peach of a delivery to take the key wicket of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson for a golden duck with an edge behind.
Ross Taylor blocked to prevent the hat-trick for the England seamer but soon became Jack Leach’s first test victim with a reverse sweep straight to Alastair Cook at short backward square, the former skipper departing for 13.
Henry Nicholls also made 13 before he became James Anderson’s 531st victim in tests, miscuing a drive and taking an edge which Cook, back in the slips, snaffled up.
New Zealand won the first test in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs and are seeking their first series win over England since 1999.
