Rory Burns (132) single-handedly took England to 275 after they had been reduced to 140/6 on Day 4. Despite that, New Zealand are 165 ahead in the second innings in the first Test of the two-match series, at Lord’s. They have eight wickets in hand.
Burns had two lifelines. First, on 77, when BJ Watling missed an easy stumping; and a dropped catch by Tim Southee at second slip on 88. Riding on them, he added a 63-run partnership with debutant Ollie Robinson (42) for the seventh wicket and 52 for the last wicket with James Anderson (8). England reached 275, 103 fewer than New Zealand’s first-innings score of 378.
England had resumed Day 4 on 111/2 after rain had washed out all of Day 3. Kyle Jamieson drew first blood by dismissing Joe Root (42) off the very first ball of the morning the latter faced. Ollie Pope (22) then played some glorious shots before he fell to Southee. This triggered a collapse, for Dan Lawrence and debutant James Bracey returned without scoring.
Southee swung the ball both ways to take 6-43. He was ably supported by Jamieson (3-85), while Neil Wagner claimed Stuart Broad (10).
After his 4-75 in the first innings, Robinson picked up two more wickets in the second innings, of Devon Conway (23) and Kane Williamson (1). Tom Latham (30*) and night-watchman Wagner (2*) are still in middle.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 378 (Devon Conway 200, Ollie Robinson 4-75) and 62/2 (Tom Latham 30*; Ollie Robinson 2-8) lead England 275 (Rory Burns 132; Tim Southee 6-43) by 165 runs.