England 5-2 to escape with draw despite first-innings shocker

First Test: day three
Sky Cricket, resumes 12.30am Friday night

England 58Overton 33 not out, Boult 6-32
New Zealand 229-4 Williamson 102, Anderson 3-53

After a disastrous start to the first Test against New Zealand, England enjoyed a better second day – not that Joe Root and his men can claim much credit.

Rain and a wet outfield in Auckland meant only 23.1 overs of play were possible in the day-night Test so England, bowled out for just 58 in their first innings, are only 5-2 to escape with a draw.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson completed his 18th Test century – a national record – before being pinned lbw by James Anderson, who has taken three of the four wickets to fall in the Kiwis' first innings.

However, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling extended the hosts' lead to 171 with six wickets remaining when the umpires called off play for the day.

The Kiwis are 1-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series although thunderstorms are forecast for the third day with more showers likely on day four. England are 66-1 to conjure up a remarkable comeback victory.

Bet365 make Nicholls, unbeaten on 49, 6-5 to be the next batsman dismissed. Wicketkeeper Watling (17 not out), whose four previous Test scores at Eden Park were 21, 18, one and 11, is 8-13 to be England's first victim when the Test resumes.

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