NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 26 June 2026 — 3 min read

England staged a significant recovery on the second day of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, largely thanks to a century from Ben Duckett and a strong bowling performance from captain Ben Stokes. The hosts closed the day on 223-2, trailing New Zealand by 215 runs, after dismissing the tourists for 438.

The turnaround was notable, especially after New Zealand had reached 317-0 at one point on the first day. England‘s bowlers managed to take all 10 wickets for 121 runs, preventing a larger first-innings total. Stokes, returning to the side, played a crucial role with the ball, taking 4-70.

Stokes Inspires Bowling Effort

Ben Stokes was instrumental in curbing New Zealand‘s scoring. After the first 40 minutes of play on day two saw no breakthroughs, Stokes delivered a spell that yielded three wickets. His efforts helped shift the momentum, particularly after New Zealand had lost six wickets for 77 runs from their overnight score of 361-4.

The captain’s performance included dismissing Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner. Santner‘s dismissal was a point of discussion, as he believed the ball hit his armguard, but the third umpire confirmed it brushed the strap of his glove, leading to his out decision. Shoaib Bashir and Jofra Archer also contributed with wickets, with Archer‘s delivery striking Blair Tickner, who later had to leave the match due to concussion.

Duckett’s Rapid Century

Following the bowling effort, Ben Duckett provided a rapid response with the bat. He scored 113 runs, marking his first Test century since last June. His innings was vital in setting a platform for England‘s chase.

Duckett, who had been dropped on eight, formed a significant 179-run partnership with Jacob Bethell for the second wicket. Bethell remained unbeaten on 74 at stumps, achieving his first half-century in a Test first innings at home. Joe Root also contributed, reaching 21 not out by the close of play.

Duckett‘s century, achieved from 88 balls, was his joint quickest. His performance comes after a period where he had not scored a Test half-century in 14 innings. He had opted out of the Indian Premier League to focus on red-ball cricket with Nottinghamshire, and his century on his home ground was met with evident relief.

The partnership between Duckett and Bethell saw England score at a brisk rate, consistently piercing the field. Duckett‘s innings concluded when he dragged on off Nathan Smith, but by then, he had significantly reduced New Zealand‘s lead.

Context and What’s Next

This fightback evokes memories of England‘s memorable win in 2022 against the same opponents, a match that is often cited as the beginning of their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. Despite a challenging period for the team, their resilience on day two, particularly in the extreme heat and on a flat pitch, was notable.

England still has considerable work to do with the bat to overcome the deficit, but their strong performance on the second day has provided a foundation. The match is a decisive third Test, and a win here could temporarily alleviate pressure on the team’s leadership. Bethell and Root will resume batting on day three.

The conditions at Trent Bridge, described as an open-air sauna, tested both teams. New Zealand faced challenges with injuries, including the absence of Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson, and the concussion suffered by Blair Tickner, who was replaced by Zak Foulkes. England‘s ability to maintain their composure and fight back suggests a strong team spirit under Stokes‘ captaincy.

The match continues with England aiming to further reduce the 215-run deficit on day three.

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Source: bbc.com