New Zealand 180/2 in 40.0 Overs | ENG vs NZ 2nd Test Day 3 Live Score: Nicholls, Ravindra firmly command New Zealand with centuries; leaden crosses 250 – The Tech Word News

England vs. New Zealand 2nd Test Day 3 Live Score: New Zealand got the upper hand on Day 2 of the third Test at The Oval as England slumped to 222/6 in reply to the visitors’ first innings 391 on Thursday.

After Glenn Phillips’ maiden Test century helped New Zealand win the competition total, he attacked the visitors’ pace regularly, leaving England 169 runs behind with only the lower order remaining.

At stumps, debutant Jordan Cox was unbeaten on 22, while Jofra Archer was yet to open his account.

New Zealand were bowled out shortly before lunch for 391, a total greatly boosted by Phillips’ brilliant knock of exactly 100. It was the all-rounder’s first century in Test cricket and helped the visitors recover from a difficult position.

England’s response was led by opener Emilio Gay, who scored 53. It was his second consecutive half-century in his second Test match. Joe Root looked set for a high score but fell for 46, trapped in front by Matt Henry, leaving him just two runs short of becoming only the second batsman to reach 14,000 Test runs.

Henry, who battled back spasms during the previous Test at Lord’s, was New Zealand’s outstanding bowler. The fast bowler removed both England captain Ben Stokes and vice-captain Harry Brooke to put the hosts under pressure.

Nathan Smith also stepped in, taking the goal and making a brilliant run to dismiss Ben Duckett with a crisp side-arm throw on the move.

England made a brief run through debutants Cox and James Rew, who added 40 runs for the seventh wicket. However, New Zealand struck again just 10 minutes from stumps when Will O’Rourke had Rew caught at slip for 24.

Rew got a lifeline earlier when Rachin Ravindra spilled a chance but New Zealand ensured the damage remained limited.

With England still 169 runs behind and only four wickets in hand, New Zealand head into Day 3 firmly in control of the contest.