Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes were at the heart of a stirring England fightback on day two of the series-deciding third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The visitors, who were bossing proceedings at 317 without loss late into the first day’s play, lost their final 10 wickets for only 121 runs in being bowled out for 438, before Duckett (113 off 99) struck a magnificent 88-ball century to anchor England’s reply.
Stokes (4-70) earlier took his 250th wicket in Tests as part of a fiery morning spell to match the searing temperatures in Nottingham – 35 Celsius, making it the second-hottest day’s cricket in England.
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Ben Stokes takes the wicket of Mitchell Santner on day two of the Third Test between England and New Zealand
Stokes took 3-13 across eight overs in of one of his trademark, tireless spells that reduced New Zealand to 418-7 by lunch, before Shoaib Bashir (2-105) helped wrap things up after the interval.
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Stuart Broad hails Stokes’ relentlessness following his 250th Test wicket, saying ‘this is why everyone respects him’
Duckett, who was dropped on eight, then blasted 19 boundaries as part of a majestic seventh Test ton, sharing in a 179-run stand for the second wicket with Jacob Bethell (74no), who will be eyeing a hundred of his own early on day three.
England closed on 223-2, still trailing the Black Caps by 215 runs, but their cause is aided by an inexperienced New Zealand bowling attack that have also lost Blair Tickner to a concussion following an earlier blow to the head when batting against Jofra Archer. He has been replaced by Zak Foulkes for the remainder of the match.
More to follow…
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
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