Latham and Henry preserve New Zealand

With a 40-run lead going into stumps in the second Test against Australia in Christchurch, New Zealand had been kept alive by a seven-wicket haul from Matt Henry and a valiant half-century from Tom Latham. Although the foreign team remains somewhat ahead in the competition, New Zealand’s situation could have been much worse had they not performed better on the second day.

Overnight hitters Nathan Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne gave Australia a great start to the day by hitting lots of boundaries. Labuschagne reached the fifty mark, but Lyon recovered from a missed opportunity to become the hosts with a 20 before Matt Henry could find the outside edge. Australia took the lead when Labuschagne cut Scott Kuggeleijn for a boundary, but the hosts kept putting them back.Glenn Phillips backed Alex Carey just before he trapped Mitchell Marsh for a duck, thus helping Henry finish his five-wicket haul.

Mitchell Starc and Labuschagne frustrated the home team with their obstinate little combination, but New Zealand scored right before the tea break. Once more, Phillips was the one who brought about the outcome. An incredible one-handed diving catch eliminated Labuschagne for ninety-nine on the field. Following the restart, Henry benched Pat Cummins and Starc. Who had each made significant contributions to push the margin to 94.

New Zealand took an early jolt with the bat due to pressure. Will Young expected the ball to come back. But Starc delivered a delivery that merely went with the angle, edging it behind. On the other hand, New Zealand bounced back from the early wicket thanks to a century partnership between Latham and Kane Williamson. Williamson, who was initially cautious, forced a bowling change by hitting three boundaries against Starc. Two boundaries in the same over welcomed Pat Cummins to the attack.. So it had little effect on the New Zealand number three.

Latham, who was quiet for most of his visit, faced Lyon for a few boundaries. But New Zealand’s run average was mostly just over two runs per over. The pair of batsmen then established the highest partnership of the series. New Zealand, taking their team ahead in the process. Williamson reached his 100th Test century. But Cummins interrupted the century stand before he could, dashigning his dreams of batting all day. But the hosts will be hoping to set a competitive target. Latham solid at one end and plenty of batting to come.