Watling, Santner hound England
England were battling for survival after Mitchell Santner took three cheap wickets following a match-turning double century by BJ Watling in the first Test against New Zealand yesterday.
After New Zealand declared at 615 for nine on day four in Mount Maunganui, England were 55 for three at stumps, needing a further 207 on the final day if they are to make the Black Caps bat again.
Watling swung the match firmly New Zealand’s way with his Test best 205 and a record-breaking partnership with Santner who scored a maiden century and then capped his remarkable day by taking three wickets for six runs.
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler blamed scoreboard pressure for the tourists’ predicament after they had held the upper hand when New Zealand were 197 for five before Watling’s marathon effort kept them in the field for a tiring 201 overs.
England had an uncomfortable two hours batting with openers Dom Sibley (12) and Rory Burns (31) as well as nightwatchman Jack Leach (nought) all falling to Santner.
Watling shared a 116-run partnership with Colin de Grandhomme and then put the home side firmly in charge as he rewrote the record books with Santner.
Watling’s 205 comfortably beat his previous Test best of 142 not out against Sri Lanka in 2015, while Santner’s 126 overhauled his 73 against Bangladesh in 2017.
When New Zealand declared soon after Jofra Archer claimed Watling’s wicket, the 615 was their highest total against England, going past their 551-9 declared at Lord’s in 1973.
Watling faced 473 deliveries and hit 24 fours and a six during more than 11 remarkable hours of batting which extended his unbroken time in the middle to 16 hours 16 minutes after he batted for 306 minutes to score an unbeaten 105 in his last Test innings against Sri Lanka three months ago.
Sam Curran, who claimed Santner’s wicket, finished with three for 119
Scores in brief
England: First innings 353
New Zealand: First innings 615 for 9 decl (Williamson 51, Nicholls 41, Watling 205, De Grandhomme 65, Santner 126; Curran 3-119, Leach 2-153, Stokes 2-74)
England: Second innings 55 for 3 (Burns 31; Santner 3-6)
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