Wellington [New Zealand], December 7: England’s batters Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, and Harry Brook all scored rapid half-centuries as the visitors reached 378/5 at stumps on Day 2 of the Wellington Test, taking a commanding 533-run lead over New Zealand.
New Zealand resumed the day at 86/5 but could only add 39 more runs before England’s bowlers wrapped up the innings. Gus Atkinson was the star of the morning, taking a remarkable hat-trick—the first-ever in Wellington Test history. Atkinson (4-31) and Brydon Carse (4-46) shared eight wickets, giving England a dominant 155-run lead heading into their second innings.
England lost Zak Crawley early (8) in their second innings, but a 187-run partnership between Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell put them firmly in control. Bethell fell just short of his maiden Test century, dismissed by Tim Southee in the 38th over. Duckett (92) followed soon after, falling to Southee as well. Harry Brook then launched an aggressive attack, scoring another half-century (55) before being dismissed by Glenn Phillips.
At stumps, Joe Root was unbeaten on 73, while Ben Stokes (35*) contributed to a quick 51-run partnership, further adding to New Zealand’s woes.
Brief score:
England 280 & 378/5 (Harry Brook 123, Jacob Bethell 96; Nathan Smith 4/86) vs New Zealand 125 (Kane Williamson 37, Tom Latham 17; Gus Atkinson 4/31).