Watling century leaves England with record chase for victory

Image
AFP Leeds (UK)
Last Updated : Jun 01 2015 | 12:48 AM IST
BJ Watling became the first New Zealand batsman to score a Test century at Headingley as the tourists eyed a series-levelling victory over England today.
Watling's 100 not out took New Zealand to 338 for six in their second innings at stumps on the third day, with their lead also 338 after both sides made first innings totals of exactly 350.
It meant England would have to rewrite the record books were they to win this match and take the series 2-0 after their 124-run victory in the first Test at Lord's.
The most any England side have made to win in the fourth innings of a Test is the 332 for seven they posted against Australia at Melbourne back in 1928/29.
And only two sides have made more than 300 to win in the fourth innings of a Test at Headingley.
Australia, thanks to brilliant centuries by Arthur Morris (182) and Don Bradman (173 not out) made 404 for three for a celebrated seven-wicket victory over England at Yorkshire's headquarters in 1948.
And England themselves scored 315 for four, with Mark Butcher making an unbeaten 173, to beat Australia by six wickets in 2001.
Stuart Broad proved a thorn in the side of New Zealand with both bat and ball early on the third day.
Broad ensured first innings parity and then reduced New Zealand to 23 for two in their second innings.
But in what is now typical New Zealand style, Martin Guptill (70) and Ross Taylor (48) added 99 in 87 balls for the third wicket.
That was the first of several fine stands in the innings, with Watling adding 121 with New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (55) and 53 with Luke Ronchi (31).
South Africa-born Watling, playing as a batsman only in this match after he injured his knee keeping wicket at Lord's, went to his hundred in just under three hours off 136 balls, including 13 fours and a six, when he hooked James Anderson down to long leg for a single.
It was the 29-year-old Watling's fifth hundred in just 31 Tests and his first against England.
Broad's 46 helped England make 350.
He then took two wickets for four runs in 12 balls, with Tom Latham and Kane Williamson both caught behind.
McCullum became only the second New Zealand player, after retired former captain Stephen Fleming, to score 6,000 Test runs when a drive off Root beat the diving Wood at mid-off and went for four.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jun 01 2015 | 12:48 AM IST

Next Story