Sports

2nd Test: Defiant Prior steadies England wobble

NZ lose three early wickets; trail by 399 runs.

Afp March 15, 2013 Less than a minute read

england 039 s matt prior reacts as he walks off the ground after being dismissed for 82 runs during the second day of the second test against new zealand photo reuters

England's Matt Prior reacts as he walks off the ground after being dismissed for 82 runs during the second day of the second test against New Zealand. PHOTO: REUTERS

WELLINGTON: England dominated with bat and ball to leave New Zealand struggling on 66 for three after setting an imposing first innings total of 465 on day two of the second Test in Wellington yesterday.

Despite a mid-innings wobble, Matt Prior (82) and Kevin Pietersen (73) delivered with the bat for the tourists.

England started the day at the Basin Reserve on 267 for two and were reduced to 374 for seven after lunch before Prior snuffed out a New Zealand fightback led by spinner Bruce Martin, who ended with figures of 4-130.

New Zealand’s bowlers, who toiled for little reward on an unresponsive first-day wicket, made the perfect start when Trott departed without adding to his overnight score of 121.

Martin, bowling into the wind, then dismissed Ian Bell and Joe Root cheaply to offer the Black Caps some hope of containing England’s lead.

Meanwhile, New Zealand made slow progress in reply after losing opener Fulton for one.

Broad sent Hamish Rutherford on his way for 23 after another nick to Cook then clean-bowled Ross Taylor for a golden duck with his next ball, a straight delivery that slipped straight past the batsman’s guard.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2013.