Two hundred and fifty Test wickets. England rescued from the brink of defeat. And another chapter written in the legend of Ben Stokes.
Day two of the series-deciding third Test at Trent Bridge will be remembered for the England captain defying heat-sapping conditions in a bloody-minded eight-over morning burst.
It saw Stokes claim three wickets for 13 runs in a stunning spell with the ball that also yielded three maidens, as he brought up his 250th Test wicket to move into England’s top 10 leading wicket-takers.
Only eight England bowlers have taken more wickets than Stokes, with only one man – South Africa’s Jacques Kallis – having taken more Test runs and wickets combined.
Stokes’ efforts underlined his importance on his comeback Test as he impressively led the fightback after a chastening first day, with Stuart Broad hailing another inspired performance.
‘Magical’ Stokes delivers moments that gain respect
“It’s what Stokes has made his career on,” former England international Broad told Sky Sports Cricket.
“He’s not someone who would look at his 250th Test wicket, or his 7,000 Test runs. He’s all about moments.
“He grabbed the ball in the morning, created a chance early that went down, but he kept going and going.
“When you play with him, it’s those moments that gain respect – and it’s why he’s so loved in the changing room. There’s no stopping him.”
“Two hundred and fifty Test wickets is quite incredible for a guy who would class himself as a batter who bowls a bit.
“It was a real tactical decision to bring himself on. It was baking hot, he ran in all morning, created chances and was just magical.”
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Stokes claimed his 250th Test wicket for England, but should it have counted?
‘Things started to happen when Stokes took over’
Sky Sports’ Michael Atherton saluted Stokes’ work rate on a sweltering day at Trent Bridge, which was officially the second-hottest day of Test match cricket in England.
“Things started to happen when Stokes took over from Jofra Archer,” he added.
“Will O’Rourke was put down in his first over, and then the wickets started to come.
“On a blisteringly hot day, Stokes bowling an eight-over spell was quite a shift in this heat.”
After Stokes’ heroics, Ben Duckett enjoyed a redemptive moment of his own, as he ended a year-long wait for a Test century after a dismal winter.
The left-hander ended a run of 22 innings without an England hundred with a fluent 113 off just 99 balls, having been dropped on eight by Henry Nicholls, to propel England to 223-2 at stumps in response to the Black Caps’ 438.
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Take a look at some of Ben Duckett’s best shots as he made 100 for England against New Zealand on day two of the Third Test
Duckett ’emotional’ after century months in the making
It was the perfect tonic for Duckett after a chastening Ashes series in which his top score was 42, with his performances compounded by a video on social media going viral that appeared to show the opener in an inebriated and confused state during a mid-series break in Noosa.
“It meant a lot,” Duckett said. “It’s been a bit of a journey since last summer.
“Playing here at my home ground means a lot to me. I was quite emotional.
“It was a bit of a shame I wasn’t there at the end of the day, but I’d have taken that at the start.
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Duckett reflects on hitting 113 on day two of the Third Test against New Zealand
“I’ve felt it’s been coming. I didn’t go to the IPL. I’ve spent a lot of time here working on my game and have scored runs in the County Championship.
“It hasn’t gone my way in the first couple of Tests but, with the age I’m at now, I try to believe in my game, knowing one is around the corner.
“I nicked off on eight; on another day I’d have been back in the hut, but I knew that when that happened it could have been my day.”
‘England have given themselves a platform to win’
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Highlights from day two of the Third Test between England and New Zealand
Broad believes England have moved into a position where they can not only match New Zealand’s first-innings total but surpass it and secure a series-clinching victory.
“England, led by their captain Stokes, have been superb. If you think back to day one, when New Zealand were 317-0, it was almost at a stage where the game was gone.
“But England have had such a brilliant day and the changing room will be thinking they can win this game if they pass New Zealand’s score.
“They have given themselves the platform to really control this game, providing they have another good day tomorrow.
“Although England are behind on the scoreboard, they have got themselves into a pretty good position.”
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
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Watch day three of the third Test between England and New Zealand, live on Sky Sports Cricket on Saturday from 10.15am (first ball 11am). Stream cricket and more with NOW – no contract.
