Overton enjoys his debut as England edge first day
STUART Broad set the tone for an impressive England bowling performance as they kicked off their quest for a series clean sweep over New Zealand, but an error of judgement proved costly.
Just four months after Yorkshire’s right to host international cricket was restored, with the removal of sanctions imposed at the height of the racism scandal, the venue saw a gripping start to the Third Test as New Zealand made 225 for five.
Conditions looked set fair for batting, but Broad kept a week of celebrations going strong by striking before a run had been scored and followed with the key scalp of Kane Williamson before lunch.
Just a day after announcing that he and fiancee Mollie King are expecting their first child and a day before his 36th birthday, this was Broad taking care of business as usual as he led the attack in James Anderson’s absence.
Wickets for Jack Leach and debutant Jamie Overton, the latter opening his international account by wrecking Devon Conway’s stumps, kept England ahead of the game before they spurned a golden chance to dismiss bogeyman Daryl Mitchell cheaply. He had just eight when Matthew Potts rapped him in front of middle and leg with a full, swinging delivery, but neither umpire Marais
Erasmus nor skipper Ben Stokes were convinced by his loud appeal.
Mitchell’s reprieve was confirmed when Stokes allowed the DRS counter to hit zero without signalling, and a player who is fresh off back-toback centuries cashed in to reach 78 not out.
A huge stroke of luck allowed Leach to grab a second wicket in freak circumstances, Henry Nicholls caught via deflection after smashing a drive into the middle of Mitchell’s bat at the non-striker’s end, but the latter’s unbeaten stand of 102 with Tom Blundell – their third threefigure effort together in as many games – left things even at stumps.
“It’s been a good day,” Jamie Overton said at the close of play. “I’m a bit tired now but, yeah, we’ve had a good day and hopefully we can get a few wickets early (on the second day).
“I was a little bit nervous. The slope got me little bit by surprise. I bowled early in the week and it felt right over that side of the hill but it’s actually a bit more of a ridge than you think.
“The first couple of overs I was just trying to get used to it and then after that felt quite settled and felt like good rhythms.”
Overton started a memorable day by receiving his Test match cap from twin brother Craig.
“Craig’s played a few Tests,” he said. “It would have been nice to play together. But to get it off Craig is a special moment and hopefully we’ve got a few more games together.”