England ahead after making 465

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Published on Friday, 15 March 2013 14:43

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New Zealand (Cricinfo): An intriguing second day at Basin Reserve, which billowed one way then another in the buffeting Wellington wind, finally settled in England's favour as they took three top-order New Zealand wickets to take control of the second Test.

New Zealand's bowlers, under the cosh when the day began at 267 for 2, had made light of their onerous workload of the past week, sustained by some resilient left-arm spin from Bruce Martin, whose slower pace produced figures of 4 for 130 and a degree of turn not matched by Monty Panesar later in the day, and some determinedly enterprising captaincy in the face of adversity by Brendon McCullum.

But it all came to naught as Matt Prior advanced his reputation as one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batsmen of the modern era with a counter-attacking 82 from 99 balls. However much Tim Southee, the senior member of New Zealand's attack, had insisted after the first Test in Dunedin that "bodies were recharged," under Prior's assault they drained faster than an old Galaxy Ace.

Summarized scores: England 465 (Trott 121, Compton 100, Prior 82, Pietersen 73, Martin 4-130) New Zealand 66 for 3 (Broad 2-18) trails by 399 runs

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