Henry five-for, Nicholls ton put New Zealand in command

Matt Henry's five-wicket haul and Henry Nicholls' unbeaten 119 put New Zealand firmly in command of the second Test against England at The Oval on Friday (June 19). The visitors closed Day 3 in London 352 runs in the lead, with seven wickets still in hand.

Henry's 5 for 80, which included the key wickets of Joe Root and Harry Brook late on the second day, helped New Zealand take a first-innings lead of 100. It could have been considerably larger had Sonny Baker and Matthew Fisher not frustrated New Zealand with a 53-run last-wicket stand.

Henry needed only six balls on the third morning to make an impact, inducing Jordan Cox into a catch at midwicket. He then removed Jofra Archer, who had looked threatening after striking a couple of boundaries, with Tom Blundell producing an excellent catch standing up to the stumps. Henry completed his five-for when Josh Tongue was caught at mid-on, securing his first five-wicket haul in Tests against England.

New Zealand's frustrations, however, were not over. Fisher survived a run-out chance on 6 when Blundell failed to gather a throw cleanly from deep point, and the batter went on to register his maiden Test fifty. Fisher and Baker delayed New Zealand for another 101 balls before Kyle Jamieson finally broke the stand with the second new ball, having Baker caught behind.

Carrying the momentum into the afternoon session, England struck back strongly after Lunch. Archer removed Tom Latham with a beauty that pitched on off stump and seamed away from around the wicket to take the edge. Tongue took over from the same end and followed up by dismissing Devon Conway, who pushed loosely outside off stump and edged to second slip.

New Zealand could have been three down early in the afternoon session when debutant James Rew spilled a chance offered by Ravindra off Tongue on 7. There were other nervy moments too, with edges falling short of fielders, loud lbw appeals and one delivery that skidded along the ground before striking Ravindra outside off stump. But Ravindra and Nicholls weathered the testing phase even as Root turned to himself, gave Baker a spell with a heavily packed off-side field against the two left-handers and brought Archer back for an over before Tea.

Having reached Tea at 94 for 2, New Zealand found batting far easier in the final session as Ravindra and Nicholls steadily stretched their third-wicket stand to 161. England's primary tactic was a short-ball plan, with Archer leading the charge and fielders stationed on the boundary, but the pair handled it comfortably, making room to access the off-side or rolling their pulls along the ground. Even the extra bounce that had briefly been available for the spinners earlier in the day disappeared on what looked like an increasingly placid surface as New Zealand made hay in the sunshine.

Ravindra looked set for a century before missing a sweep against Jacob Bethell and falling for 76. Nicholls, though, continued to march on, bringing up his 11th Test hundred and further easing concerns over New Zealand's long-term No. 3 position following Kane Williamson's mid-series retirement.

Daryl Mitchell arrived with positive intent and struck a few boundaries, including a six over long-on off Fisher, as England's weary attack ran short of ideas. Harry Brook was eventually summoned to bowl as the hosts simply tried to get through the final overs of a long and punishing day. There could be plenty more punishment awaiting them on Day 4.

Brief Scores: New Zealand 391 & 252/3 (Henry Nicholls 119*, Rachin Ravindra 76) lead England 291 (Emilio Gay 53, Matthew Fisher 50*; Matt Henry 5-80) by 352 runs.