Watling century gives NZ control

England face a huge task to win the second Test after an unbeaten BJ Watling hundred left New Zealand in a strong position at Headingley.

Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum also made half-centuries as the Black Caps closed day three on 338-6, a lead of 338.

That represented a fightback from 23-2, aided by England dropping three catches.

England were earlier taken to 350 all out by a rapid 46 from Stuart Broad, as the first-innings scores ended level.

Broad’s strokeplay set the tone for an entertaining day which yielded 435 runs in 96 overs.

Although he took the hosts to parity, Watling, McCullum, and a rapid stand of 99 between Guptill and Ross Taylor means England must complete their highest Test run chase to win. 

England, who lead 1-0 in the two-match series, will rue mistakes in the field as their pace bowlers put in a performance much improved on the first innings, but were still unable to halt the free scoring of the tourists.

After Broad found seam movement to have both Tom Latham and Kane Williamson caught behind, Taylor was given a life on six by Gary Ballance at third slip off James Anderson.

Later, wicketkeeper Jos Buttler missed a rising Watling edge from the off-spin of Moeen Ali and mid-off Mark Wood failed to get a hand on a McCullum drive at Joe Root.

“We’ve played ourselves into a hole, but there’s still a lot of time left in this game,” England bowling coach Ottis Gibson told BBC’s Test Match Special.

New Zealand made the most of their good fortune in conditions that were largely good for batting, in contrast to the clouds that greeted England early in the morning.

Taylor and Guptill rattled along at almost seven runs per over, punishing any width and taking the singles offered by England’s deep-set field.

When they fell to Wood in quick succession – Taylor driving loosely to extra cover and Guptill edging to third slip – New Zealand found themselves 141-4 and England had an opening.

It was closed by a fifth-wicket partnership of 121, with the usually aggressive McCullum watchful in support of the more expansive Watling.

Barring a frenetic start, McCullum only occasionally sparkled with a handful of drives and one six over long-on from Moeen.

Watling, on the other hand, scored heavily behind square on the off side and swept another maximum from the ineffective Moeen.

After McCullum was lbw to Wood and Luke Ronchi made 31 from 23 balls, Watling completed his fifth Test century in the penultimate over of the day with a hook off Anderson.

His efforts cemented a New Zealand rise to prominence that began with three new-ball wickets late on day two and was continued by more high-class swing bowling from Tim Southee on the third day.

He struck three times in 17 balls, enticing a loose waft from Ian Bell and prodding defensive strokes from Buttler and Moeen in a total England collapse of six wickets for 29 runs.

Broad, who had managed only 23 runs from his previous six Test innings, countered, taking advantage of an excess of short bowling with pull shots and flashes through the off side.

He was supported by Wood and Anderson as England’s last two wickets added 83.

BBC Sport