Watling, de Grandhomme spearhead NZ fightback

Hosts end day two on 192-6 in reply to visitors’ first innings total of 307

CHRISTCHURCH: BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme hauled New Zealand back into the second Test Saturday, cutting England's advantage back to 115 runs with four wickets in hand at stumps on day two in Christchurch.

When bad light stopped play seven overs early, New Zealand had recovered from 36 for five to be 192 for six in reply to England's 307.

Watling was on 77 after sharing a 142-run stand with de Grandhomme which was broken late in the day by England's man of the moment Stuart Broad.

The 31-year-old Broad, who had de Grandhomme caught behind for 72, wound back the clock to finish the day with four for 38.

"It was probably the best rhythm I've felt for a couple of years running in today. I was rubbish in Australia," he said, adding that England had the upper hand despite New Zealand's fightback. "Watling didn't really give us a chance. They played exceptionally well but from our points of view we held them well enough to still be ahead in this game."

It was Watling's 14th Test half-century and de Grandhomme's second highest score as they passed New Zealand's previous sixth-wicket partnership record against England of 141, set by Martin Crowe and Adam Parore 24 years ago.

De Grandhomme believed New Zealand still had a chance of getting a first innings lead despite the new ball being only five overs away.

"Obviously we're behind the eight ball, but hopefully tomorrow we can come hard and get close or past the score."

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, New Zealand's recovery followed England's own revival from 164 for seven to be all out for 307.

After months of misery on the road, England felt their luck had turned with wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow's fifth Test century before he was out for 101.