Cricket | Stokes falls as New Zealand close in on victory

A remarkable fightback from Ben Stokes (66) and Chris Woakes (38 not out) helped England stay afloat heading into the final session of the first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park on Monday (March 26). However, Neil Wagner left an unkind cut on their hopes of drawing the game with the wicket of Stokes just before the Dinner break. England were left at 300 for 7 and still trail by 69 runs.

Stokes and Woakes scored 83 for the seventh wicket to frustrate New Zealand, bringing back memories of the contest in 2013 at the same venue when England batted out the whole day to save the Test. However, with the wicket of Stokes, New Zealand will be fairly at ease during the break.

Kane Williamson tried all his options - the pace bowling troika of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner - and the spin option of Todd Astle as well but failed to dislodge the challenge thrown at them by the English duo. They batted out a little more than 31 overs in the session to keep the New Zealand bowlers at bay.

England now need to play out at least 31.3 overs to walk away unscathed in the series. However, a sternerr test awaits their lower order as they walk out to bat under the lights.

Stokes got to his half-century soon after the break in the 95th over and played 188 deliveries during his stay. He wanted to cut a short and wide one from Wagner but failed to connect well. Southee ran back to complete the catch from backward point as the players walked off for the break.

The effort was much needed for the visitors especially after Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali failed to kick on to give New Zealand hope of sealing a win before the final session.

New Zealand made a positive start courtesy Southee. England lost Malan early in the day when the left-hander chased a delivery angled across him from the pacer. With no feet movement, all he could do was edge the ball to second slip and fall for 23.

New Zealand, though, were guilty of grassing opportunities presented to them. Bairstow was let off a pair when BJ Watling dropped him off Trent Boult soon after the early wicket in the day. In the 71st over, Bairstow pulled a long hop from Astle straight to Boult at mid-on. The pacer dropped the simplest of chances to give the England batsman his second reprieve inside the first hour.

While Stokes started positively, getting off the mark with a boundary against Boult on the first delivery, he then decided to employ a cautious approach and dug deep to keep the New Zealand bowlers at bay. Bairstow's charmed life finally ended and it took a stunner from Kane Williamson to help the hosts earn their second wicket of the day. Astle banged one in and Bairstow pulled it wide of mid-wicket. However, Williamson dived to his right and managed to just about hold on to the catch. Moeen Ali fell at the stroke of Tea to give Boult his third wicket.

Brief scores: England 58 & 300/7 (Ben Stokes 66, Mark Stoneman 55; Trent Boult 3-67) trail New Zealand 427/8 (Henry Nicholls 145*, Kane Williamson 102; Stuart Broad 3-78) by 69 runs.

(CRICBUZZ)