Lyth celebrates after scoring his maiden Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand took three quick wickets to get themselves back in contention after England opener Adam Lyth scored his maiden Test century and captain Alastair Cook surpassed Graham Gooch as the country’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test history.

Starting out the day on 297/8, Mark Craig and Matt Henry converted their 16-run partnership into a 29-run stand before Henry was caught behind off the bowling of Stuart Broad for 27.

Craig and Trent Boult put together a last-gasp 40-run partnership before Boult was caught by Adam Lyth at point off the bowling of Broad for 15.

Craig remained undefeated on 41 off 63 balls, which included five boundaries and a six, as New Zealand were bowled out for 350.

Broad picked up his 13th five-wicket haul, while James Anderson and Mark Wood snapped up two wickets apiece and Ben Stokes chipped in with one.

Broad finished with figures of 5-109 off 17.1 overs

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Trailing by 350 runs, England got off to a superb start as Cook and Lyth amassed a 177-run partnership, during which both batsmen brought up their half-centuries, before Cook was given out lbw off the bowling of Craig.

Cook was not given out initially, but New Zealand decided to review the decision. Unfortunately for Cook, replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit the top of middle stump. This led to the third umpire overturning the original decision.

Cook’s excellent knock of 75 came off 187 balls and included 12 boundaries.

Cook surpassed Graham Gooch as England’s all-time leading run-scorer in Test history

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Lyth went on to score his maiden Test century before being run out by Boult for a career-best 107, which came off 212 deliveries and included 15 boundaries.

Following Lyth’s dismissal, Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Ben Stokes were all dismissed in quick succession.

Ian Bell and Jos Buttler put together an unbeaten six-run partnership before stumps was called.

Bell finished on 12 off 33 balls, which included one boundary and a six, while Buttler remained undefeated on six.

Boult was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Craig and Tim Southee claimed one wicket each.

England ended day two on 253/5 and will continue batting tomorrow at 11:00 local time or 10:00 GMT.