England vs. New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 3: Highlights, Scorecard and Report

New Zealand took control of the second Test against England on Day 3 at Headingley, establishing a 338-run lead in the match thanks to an immaculate century from BJ Watling.

After some quality bowling from the tourists up front, a late flurry from Stuart Broad pushed England to 350 all out, leaving the two sides on level totals of 350 after the first innings.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Bell	c Craig	b Southee	12	64	35	1	1
Root	c Ronchi	b Southee	1	4	5	0	0
Stokes	c Craig	b Boult	6	20	17	0	0
Buttler	c Taylor	b Southee	10	28	26	1	0
Moeen	c Guptill	b Southee	1	20	14	0	0
Broad		b Henry	46	71	39	5	1
Wood	c Ronchi	b Craig	19	40	33	3	0
Anderson	not out		10	23	16	2	0
Extras	5nb 5w 18b 6lb		34
Total	all out (108.2 ovs)		350
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Boult			30.0	7	98	2
Southee			30.0	5	83	4
Henry			20.2	4	92	1
Craig			26.0	12	48	2
Williamson			2.0	1	5	0

The hosts took some early wickets to preserve that momentum, but a dynamic 121-run partnership between Brendon McCullum and Watling moved the Black Caps into a commanding position; they were 338 for six at the close of play, with Watling unbeaten on 100.

			Runs	Minutes	Balls	4s	6s
Latham	c Buttler	b Broad	3	25	17	0	0
Guptill	c Root	b Wood	70	128	72	7	1
Williamson	c Buttler	b Broad	6	15	20	1	0
Taylor	c Stokes	b Wood	48	64	48	5	1
B McCullum	lbw	b Wood	55	139	98	3	1
Watling	not out		100	181	137	13	1
Ronchi	c Buttler	b Anderson	31	30	23	3	1
Craig	not out		15	28	35	2	0
Extras	0nb 0w 4b 6lb		10
Total	for 6 (75.0 ovs)		338
Bowler			Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
Anderson			16.0	4	58	1
Broad			13.0	1	52	2
Wood			14.0	2	64	3
Stokes			12.0	1	61	0
Moeen			15.0	0	70	0
Root			5.0	0	23	0

The excellent 177-run opening stand between Alastair Cook and Adam Lyth was undone by a clutch of late wickets on Day 2, and New Zealand continued to apply pressure early on Sunday, with Tim Southee doing the initial damage.

Ian Bell (12), Jos Buttler (10) and Moeen Ali (1) fell to the fast bowler, who started the day with a real swagger. As noted by Test Match Special, Southee gave New Zealand some major momentum at the outset of Day 3:

Credit must go to Broad, however, who batted superbly with the final two batsmen. The fast bowler smashed a quickfire 46 from just 39 balls, and when he was eventually the final man dismissed, England had reached 350, level with New Zealand after one innings apiece.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

As cricket statistician Mohandas Menon noted, when that happens, usually the match finishes up as a draw:

The manner in which New Zealand batted for the remainder of the day ensured that wouldn’t be the case, though. Despite Broad taking the wickets of Tim Latham (3) and Kane Williamson (6) to leave the Black Caps on 23 for two, the tourists continued to play with the aggression and intent that has defined them under McCullum’s tutelage.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Ross Taylor made an entertaining run-a-ball 48 before Mark Wood snaffled him; when Martin Guptill fell to the same bowler four overs later for a brisk 70, the tide seemed to be turning back England’s way with the score at 141 for four.

However, as noted by cricket statistician S Rajesh, the New Zealanders had made quick runs during their time at the crease:

It was a brilliant platform for Watling and McCullum to build upon, and with England’s bowling attacking beginning to look as little dimensional in the final embers of the day, the duo took control of the match.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With both players going to half-centuries, England desperately needed to break this burgeoning partnership. McCullum went past a significant milestone in the process, as we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports Cricket:

However, he was back in the pavilion not long after as Wood—who bowled brilliantly on the day—made the breakthrough, pinning the Black Caps captain in front for 55.

New Zealand continued going about their batting with a flair as shadows started to grow long at Headingley. Some clean hitting from Luke Ronchi pushed the lead past 300, but he was dismissed by James Anderson for a firebrand 31 to give the hosts some late hope.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

But Watling had the final say after an impeccable innings, going to his century in the penultimate over. He'd been brilliant throughout, played an array of quality shots and put the bad balls away with style. 

BBC Sport's Phil McNulty paid tribute to his knock:

England rallied late to win the first Test at Lords, but given the strides made by Guptill, Watling and McCullum on Sunday afternoon, victory here would represent an even more improbable turnaround. As such, quick wickets are absolutely imperative when play resumes on Day 4.

All the credit must go to the Black Caps at the end of Day 3. Despite losing wickets, they were irrepressibly vibrant, and the manner in which they play the game makes for thoroughly entertaining cricket. If Watling can stick around for another hour in the morning, New Zealand will have an almost insurmountable lead to defend.