Cricket-England onslaught extends lead to 256 in first test

(Reuters) – England continued their “bazball” onslaught in the opening session of the third day of the day-night first test against New Zealand on Saturday, reaching 237 for six to take a lead of 256 into the break at Bay Oval.

After the early departure of nightwatchman Stuart Broad, England launched an all-out attack on the under-strength home bowlers and added 158 runs to their second-innings tally under blue skies in Tauranga.

Ollie Pope led the way with three sixes and two fours off Neil Wagner before departing for 49 and Harry Brook and Joe Root followed him back to the dressing room but only after making half centuries.

Ben Foakes will resume unbeaten on five along with his skipper Ben Stokes.

England, chasing a 10th win in 11 tests under former New Zealand skipper Brendon “Baz” McCullum, will look to blow out their lead further in the second session before having a crack at the home top order under the lights.

The tourists had resumed on 79-2 but Broad, lately rebranded the Nighthawk, faced just four balls before he was dismissed for six by a rising Wagner delivery that caught his glove and flew to Henry Nicholls at gully.

Wagner also got some measure of revenge for the punishment Pope inflicted on him by removing the top order batsman caught behind by a diving Tom Blundell.

Brook picked up where Pope left off, however, and in one over pillaged 18 runs in four boundaries off the hapless quick, who finished the session with figures of 2-104.

Root just beat his younger batting partner to the half century – his 56th in test cricket – but Brook quickly joined him by reaching the 50 mark off 37 deliveries.

Brook faced four more balls before making his exit for 54 when Blair Tickner induced a thick edge that was snaffled up in the slips by Daryl Mitchell and Root departed for 57 after top edging behind to bring up the break.