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It was a good day for England and Stuart Broad, with the England Test pacer's devastating bowling putting England within sight of victory in the first Test against New Zealand. He snatched a wickets record alongside James Anderson from Australian greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath after the duo matched Warne and McGrath as the most successful bowling partnership in Test history, with 1,001 wickets between them when playing together.
It was also a bright day for skipper Ben Stokes, who created a world record after going one over England's coach Brendon McCullum's feat against New Zealand on Day 3 of the first Test on Saturday (February 18). England skipper Stokes now become the leading six-hitter in Test cricket as he has smashed a total of 109 maximums in the longest format so far.
But there was a moment of surprise during England's batting innings when wicket-keeper batter Ben Foakes came on to bat ahead of his captain.
According to Broad, "Ben Foakes batted ahead of Ben Stokes today because... Stokes was on the toilet!"
Match Day recap
England resumed on 79-2 on Saturday, having lost Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley the previous evening, and nightwatchman Broad soon departed, but Ollie Pope lofted Neil Wagner for two sixes in an over as the tourists' 'Bazball' attacking approach resumed. Wagner later dismissed Pope for a quickfire 49, but the same bowler continued to come in for heavy treatment as England's assault continued.
Former captain Joe Root top-scored with 57 before he was caught out when reverse-sweeping. Harry Brook made 54 from just 41 balls, and Ben Foakes weighed in with 51, while skipper Ben Stokes (31) and Ollie Robinson (39) kept the runs flowing.
With New Zealand set a daunting target, Broad made it look all the more distant when he got to work, bowling Conway in the fourth over to break the Warne-McGrath record. Bowling to a superb length and with a touch of movement, Broad clattered the stumps of Williamson and Latham in his next two overs, then repeated the trip to dismiss Blundell. Robinson sent Henry Nicholls on his way amid the Broad masterclass, with England having this match in their grasp.
(With Opta Inputs)
