New Zealand rocked by early wickets after England set 254-run target in first Test

LONDON: Pacers Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue made early inroads with the ball for England as New Zealand made a shaky start to their 254-run pursuit on the second day of the first Test here at The Lord's on Friday.

At the stumps on day two, the touring side were reeling at 36/3, with left-handed opener Devon Conway unbeaten on 12 as they need a further 218 runs with seven wickets in hand.

After a 16-wicket opening day, the Blackcaps resumed their first innings from 61/6 through Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith, and could add 53 to their overnight score as they were bowled out for a paltry 113 in 29.5 overs.

Phillips, who offered some resistance after Ollie Robinson dismantled New Zealand's top order on the opening day, could add three more to his tally as he was cleaned up by Tongue on just the fifth delivery of the second day and thus walked back after scoring 34 off 39 deliveries with the help of six fours.

Following his dismissal, No.9 batter Kyle Jamieson took the reins of New Zealand's response and top-scored with an unbeaten 38 off 29 deliveries, featuring three sixes and two fours. He also shared a 17-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Smith, who contributed with an 18-ball 15.

Returning Robinson was the standout bowler for England in the first innings as he finished with a five-wicket haul for just 39 runs in his 10.5 overs. He was supported by fellow pacer Tongue, who bagged three, while Atkinson chipped in with two.

With a 27-run advantage in their favour, the home side's batting unit put on a decent show in the second innings as they made 226 all out on the back of debutant opener Emilio Gay's maiden half-century and set New Zealand a daunting 254-run target on a bowling-friendly surface.

Gay spearheaded England's batting charge in the second innings and top-scored with an anchoring 57 off 95 deliveries, comprising eight fours, while his opening partner Ben Duckett made a brisk 33 from 46 balls as the duo shared a 52-run stand.

Besides them, wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith and Robinson made vital contributions to England's total, scoring 39 and 29, respectively.

Nathan Smith was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand in the second innings as he registered magnificent bowling figures of 6/70 in his 17 overs. Will O'Rourke bagged two wickets, while Matt Henry and Jamieson took one apiece.

Set to chase a daunting 254-run target, the touring side got off to a dismal start as they lost their captain, Tom Latham (zero), on the third delivery of the innings.

Following the early stutter, experienced Kane Williamson (18) joined left-handed opener Conway in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to add 29 runs until Tongue trapped the former lbw to break the budding partnership in the 11th over.

Williamson's dismissal prompted New Zealand to send O'Rourke as the nightwatchman, but the 24-year-old could not withstand England pacers' outburst as he bagged a six-ball duck after being cleaned up by Atkinson on the penultimate delivery of the 12th over, which led the on-field umpires to call stumps.