MITCHELL’S MAGIC
DEBUTANT DARYL PUTS BLACKS CAPS IN POLE POSITION OVER ENGLAND
England’s quest to take control of the second cricket test against the Black Caps has again been foiled by Watling and Mitchell.
This time, it was Daryl, not Santner, taking the Mitchell mantle, working in conjunction with BJ Watling to frustrate the visitors and put New Zealand firmly in command yesterday after two days at Seddon Park.
The Hamilton duo added 124 at their home ground, combining for a sixth-wicket partnership which lasted 322 balls, further tiring the alreadyjaded England bowlers and digging their side out of a potentially dangerous position.
By stumps, it was England in trouble, reduced to 39-2 after Tim Southee removed Dom Sibley, and Matt Henry dismissed Joe Denly. Rory Burns (24) and Joe Root (six) will take guard this morning, and they’ll need a better start than New Zealand offered yesterday.
Resuming at 173-3, the Black Caps quickly found themselves in a spot of bother at 191-5, following the wickets of Tom Latham and Henry Nicholls.
Latham started the day on 101, having turned his last five centuries into scores of 150 or more, but could add only four before leaving a ball from Stuart Broad which jagged back in to remove his off-stump bail.
Broad was involved in Nicholls’ demise, too, pouching a catch at fine leg after a needless hook at a Sam Curran short ball, and just like in the first test, Watling had to lead a fightback with his side five down for fewer than 200.
Seemingly, that’s right where the Black Caps are comfortable, with Watling and Mitchell blunting the England attack for more than 53 overs. It was a traditionalist’s dream — 24 runs were added in an hour after lunch, with the pair having no need to score quickly, given a draw will secure a series win.
Watling has now faced more than 170 deliveries in each of his last four test innings, and was at his resolute best again as his 192-ball stay forced England’s aggravated seamers to resort to a legside field and a peppering of short balls.
It was a tactic that ultimately worked, but not before Watling had made a fourth consecutive 50, and Mitchell, the son of Waikato rugby stalwart and former All Blacks coach
John, had raised his bat on debut. A fine player off the back foot, Mitchell was happy to swivel on anything short, and while that shot eventually caused his demise, he had already collected 73 valuable runs.
Broad, England’s best bowler with 4-73, removed both — a short ball rose on Watling in the last over before tea and was spooned to gully, while Mitchell went for one hook too many and picked out Jofra Archer on the fine leg boundary.
They had seen off any danger, however, and brief cameos from Santner and Southee saw the Black Caps through to 375 — a sound firstinnings total after losing the toss.
Additionally, any concerns they hadn’t batted England out of the test were put to bed before stumps, with two early scalps.
England will need better batting and some luck today to resurrect their fading hopes.