Matt Henry took three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand on the brink of a series-clinching win as England’s batsmen failed miserably ...
Matt Henry took three top-order wickets to leave New Zealand on the brink of a series-clinching win as England’s batsmen failed miserably in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.
England, on a good batting pitch, were 122/9 in their second innings at stumps on the third day – just 37 runs ahead of New Zealand with one wicket standing and two days left to play.
Even so, that still represented a recovery from an even more embarrassing 76/7.
Henry, one of an exceptional six changes to the New Zealand side that drew the series opener at Lord’s, took the first three wickets to fall in a fine return of 3/36 in 12 overs.
New Zealand are eyeing only a third series win in England after their 1986 and 1999 triumphs – an ideal way to prepare for their appearance in next week’s inaugural World Test Championship final against India at Southampton.
England, by contrast, are facing a first series loss on home soil in seven years since a 2014 reverse against Sri Lanka.
Their slim hopes of setting a challenging target now rest with tailenders Olly Stone (15 not out) and James Anderson (nought not out), whose England...
