ENG vs NZ: Ross Taylor Stars As New Zealand Gain First-Innings Lead In Second Test Against England

Cricket Image for ENG vs NZ: Ross Taylor Stars As New Zealand Gain First-Innings Lead In Second Test (Ross Taylor (Image Source: Google))

Ross Taylor's 80 helped guide New Zealand into a first-innings lead over England in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Saturday. New Zealand were 326-5 at lunch on the third day, 23 runs ahead of England's 303.

The Blackcaps had the better of the session, scoring 97 runs for the loss of two wickets. Tom Blundell was 24 not out after being dropped on nought by opposing wicket-keeper James Bracey. Daryl Mitchell, one of six changes, including Blundell, to the New Zealand side that drew last week's first Test at Lord's, was unbeaten on three.

New Zealand resumed on 229-3, a deficit of 74, after Will Young had been dismissed for 82 off the last ball of Friday's play when part-time off-spinner Dan Lawrence had him caught at short leg.

Taylor, was 46 not out after opener Devon Conway had followed his stunning 200 on debut in last week's drawn first Test at Lord's with 80. The experienced Taylor completed just his second fifty in 15 Test innings when he swept Lawrence for four, his seventh boundary in 101 balls faced.

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