LONDON: Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman feels Rory Burns’s gutsy ton has ensured England are not “totally” out of the first Test against New Zealand.
SCORECARDTim Southee on Saturday picked six wickets to put England on the back foot but opening batsman Burns hit a ton to make sure the hosts were still in the game.
England were bundled out for 275 as Burns (132) ran out of partners on Saturday.
Four England batsmen were dismissed without scoring as New Zealand dismantled the English batting order on day four.
Laxman also praised Devon Conway for his “outstanding” double hundred on his Test debut against England.
“Openers from both teams being the tenth man dismissed.
Must be some sort of a record.
Devon Conway was outstanding on his way to a debut double hundred for NZ and Rory Burns century has ensured England are not totally out of the game,” Laxman tweeted.
Openers from both teams being the tenth man dismissed.
Must be some sort of a record.Devon Conway was outstanding… https://t.co/x6MkfX9orf— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) 1622907066000After taking a lead of 103 runs, New Zealand openers Latham and Conway saw out the new ball.
While the run-scoring was slow, both players kept the England bowlers at bay.
The openers put on 39 runs for the first wicket and England finally got the breakthrough in the 19th over of the second innings as Ollie Robinson clean bowled Conway (23).
Read AlsoEngland vs New Zealand, 1st Test: New Zealand hopeful of forcing win against England on Day 5, says Tim SoutheeExperienced New Zealand pacer Tim Southee says his team has not given up hopes of an outright win despite losing the third day of the opening Test against England due to rain here.Skipper Kane Williamson (1) failed to leave a mark with the bat as he was adjudged leg-before wicket against Robinson.
Night-watchman Neil Wagner came out next and, along with Latham, ensured that New Zealand reach stumps with eight wickets in hand.