New Zealand vs England: James Vince scores 76 runs as visitors lead by 231 runs on day three of Second Test at Christchurch
Hampshire batsman enjoyed 123-run partnership with Mark Stoneman saw them in total control, closing play on 202-3
JAMES VINCE scored 76 runs in the Second Test – but will it be enough to save his England career?
The Hampshire batsman looked to be heading for a maiden international century when he played one of his ambitious drives and edged into the slips.
It was a decent performance but not the emphatic innings Vince needed to nail down his spot for the start of the summer.
With Mark Stoneman, another batsman under pressure, recording his highest Test score of 60, England reached 202-3 by the close of day three. Their overall lead was 231.
But Alastair Cook was out for 14 and finished the series with just 23 runs in four innings at 5.75 apiece, easily the lowest aggregate and lowest average of any of the 45 series in which he has played.
Cook’s future will be the subject of much debate in the coming weeks.
In the morning session, New Zealand No.8 Tim Southee produced some punishing blows with the bat to hasten his team to within reach of England’s first innings total of 307.
These included a pull for six from the third full over of the day – bowled by Ben Stokes.
James Anderson bowled B.J.Watling for 85 with a late swinging delivery and, when Ish Sodhi nicked off, Stuart Broad completed his first five-wicket haul for 45 innings.
Southee was bowled by Anderson and then Broad took wicket No.6 when Trent Boult was caught at fine leg.
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Amazingly, new ball bowlers Broad and Anderson shared all ten wickets just as Boult and Southee had done for New Zealand on the opening day.
After Cook departed early in England’s second innings, Stoneman and Vince put on 123 for the second wicket.
Neither was especially convincing with Stoneman being dropped twice in the slips and having a decision overturned when TV replays showed the ball brushed his shirt, not his bat, on the way through to the wicketkeeper.
Vince played and missed regularly but grew in confidence and assurance as his innings went on.
It is no exaggeration to say that, if he had failed again, Vince might never have played Test cricket again.
He must wait to discover whether he is given another chance to properly launch his Test career.
Stoneman aimed a flat-footed swat that gave Watling a catch behind. He has scored five half-centuries for England but never got beyond 60.
Vince’s edge flew to Ross Taylor in the slips and this time he clung on. His 76 was his second-best Test score.