Root, Anderson star as England dominate on day two

England extended their dominance on day two of the second Test against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Wellington. The visitors piled on the runs before declaring on 435 for eight as Joe Root finished with a sublime, unbeaten 153. James Anderson wreaked havoc with the new ball, while Jack Leach spun his way to three wickets to leave New Zealand reeling at 138 for seven before the rain derailed the final session once again to call for an early close of play.

Harry Brook hoped to begin day two with his maiden Test double century, but the 24-year-old added just two runs to his overnight score before sending his drive straight back at Matt Henry, who held onto the catch on the second attempt to break the stand. New Zealand looked for some respite after Brook’s dismissal, but the tourists continued their charge in the morning session. Ben Stokes added a quickfire 28-ball 27 before falling to Neil Wagner, while Joe Root stepped on the pedal.

Michael Bracewell added a couple of quick wickets before the second new ball, but Root took England’s total past 400 with some audacious strokes. The number four swatted Tim Southee into the stands and played another trademark reverse sweep over the slips, finishing on 153* before Ben Stokes declared with 435 on the board.

Things went from bad to worse for New Zealand in their batting innings as James Anderson sliced through the Kiwi top-order with the new ball. The number one Test bowler induced a faint edge from Devon Conway in the first over before Kane Williamson was drawn into a false stroke by a delivery he should have left alone.

Will Young suffered the same fate after the Lunch break, edging Anderson to Ben Foakes behind the stumps to leave New Zealand stumbling at 21 for three. Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls steadied the ship temporarily after the initial collapse, but just as the hosts began to gain confidence and play their shots, Jack Leach struck to hand the Blackcaps another setback.

Tom Latham bobbled a catch to slip off a mistimed reverse-sweep before Ollie Pope took two stunning grabs at silly point to remove Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell. The fielder dove to his right to take a superb reflex catch to remove the left-hander and followed it up with an even more impressive one-handed take to see the back of Daryl Mitchell.

Michael Bracewell handed Stuart Broad a simple return catch to give the veteran seamer his first wicket off the innings, and Tim Southee swung his bat for a few overs before the rain returned to end the day’s play early, with New Zealand trailing by 297 runs.