WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — For the second day in a row rain came to New Zealand’s rescue in the second cricket test, saving it from an even greater mauling by England.
On the first day the rain came after only 65 overs when England already was 315-3. With Harry Brook making 186 and Joe Root an unbeaten 153 in a 302-run partnership, England was able to declare its first innings at 435-8.
Brook dominated New Zealand on the first day and was 184 — his highest test score and fourth century in five tests — when the rain came on the first day. Root was 101.
Brook faced only seven balls Saturday before he was out for 186 but Root turned his 29th century into the 13th score of his career in excess of 150. From the start of the day, England appeared to be racing towards a declaration and it came this time after 87 overs.
Root became the third player in cricket history to register a 50+ average in two formats of the game. He has scored 10,853 Test runs at an average of 50.01. In ODIs, his 6207 runs have come at an average of 50.05.
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers are the other two players who scored their runs at an average of 50+ plus.
Virat averages 57.69 and 52.73 in ODIs and T20Is, respectively. On the other hand, AB de Villiers accumulated his runs at an average of 53.50 and 50.66 in one-day internationals and red-ball cricket.
Players to have 50+ batting average at least two formats in international cricket history (Min 1000 runs)
Virat Kohli.
AB de Villiers
Joe Root