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Henry strikes as New Zealand lead England by 100 runs in 2nd Test / Photo: © AFP
Henry strikes as New Zealand lead England by 100 runs in 2nd Test
Matt Henry took five wickets as New Zealand strengthened their grip on the second Test against England on Friday by establishing a first-innings lead of 100 runs.
England were dismissed for 291 on the stroke of lunch on the third day at the Oval in reply to New Zealand's 391.
Fast-medium bowler Henry returned fine figures of 5-80 in 24 overs to bolster the Black Caps' bid to level this three-match series at 1-1 after their 115-run defeat in the first Test at Lord's.
England's position would have been worse but for tailender Matt Fisher's 50 not out -- his maiden Test half-century.
Fisher, on his Surrey home ground, was supported in a last-wicket stand of 53 by Sonny Baker, one of three England debutants, after they came together with the hosts in dire straits at 238-9.
England had resumed play on 222-6 on Friday morning.
Debutant Jordan Cox was 22 not out and he quickly clipped Kyle Jamieson for four as play got underway beneath sunny skies on a pitch of even pace and bounce -- seemingly ideal conditions for batting.
But Cox fell for 27 after a full-blooded clip off Henry was caught by diving New Zealand captain Tom Latham.
Henry, troubled by back spasms at Lord's, struck again with the aid of another well-executed tactical ploy when Jofra Archer was out for eight after a top-edged cut was brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, standing up to the stumps.
Josh Tongue's miscued drive off Henry was well-held one-handed, at the second attempt, by a back-pedalling Nathan Smith at mid-on.
Tongue's exit gave Henry his seventh five-wicket haul in 35 Tests.
Fisher and Baker then hung on against a succession of bouncers, with fast bowlers on both sides curiously reluctant to test the tail-enders with yorkers instead.
Fisher, in just his second Test and first in four years, even hooked the odd short ball for four and, giving himself room outside leg stump expertly cut several deliveries to the boundary.
A pull off Henry, his sixth four in 76 balls faced, saw Fisher to his fifty.
By that stage New Zealand had taken the new ball and that did the trick when Baker nicked Jamieson to second slip.
B. Semjonow--BTZ
