England captain Ben Stokes surprised New Zealand by making the home team follow on, adding to their challenge of facing another English attack. Despite this setback, the Blackcaps opening batters, Tom Latham and Devon Conway, managed to establish an impressive opening partnership of 149, both scoring half-centuries. However, their partnership was quickly disrupted when they both fell in quick succession, leaving the hosts at 155/2.
Kane Williamson and Will Young were able to stabilize the innings and looked to have regained control of the game after a long time. On the other hand, Leach threatened to end the Kiwis’ efforts to avoid a clean-sweep by the visitors with a special delivery to the newly-arrived Young.
On the fourth ball of his over, Leach floated a delivery at length along the line of off-stump, which caught Young off guard. He could not decide whether to rock back or stride forward and eventually had his feet stuck in the crease, becoming a sitting duck for the Kookaburra.
Leach’s delivery straightened just enough to beat the outside edge of Young’s willow and break into the off-stump.
Young could not do much but stare at the pitch in disbelief while Leach wore a wide smile on his face, well aware of the absolute beauty he had delivered.
Here’s the video:
The dismissal of Young reduced New Zealand to 167/3, but Williamson and Henry Nicholls steadied the ship to take the team total to 202 at stumps with no further loss of wickets.
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