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New Zealand Take Control On Day 2 As O'Rourke And Santner Dismantle England

New Zealand took a commanding position on the second day of the third Test against England at Seddon Park, dismissing the visitors for a paltry 143 and extending their overall lead to 340 runs by the close of play. Kane Williamson’s unbeaten 38th half-century and crucial contributions from Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner put the hosts firmly in the driver’s seat.

England, who have already clinched the series with impressive victories in Christchurch and Wellington, found themselves on the back foot from the start of the day. Santner (76) and O’Rourke frustrated the English bowlers for over an hour, adding 32 runs to their overnight total and pushing New Zealand to a solid 347 all out.

O’Rourke then led the charge with the ball, producing a stellar spell in tandem with Matt Henry to tear through England’s batting lineup in just a session and a half before tea. The hosts secured a substantial first-innings lead of 204 runs.

“I think a little bit in the first two tests, we probably didn’t have heaps of the rub of the green,” O’Rourke remarked. “It was big for us just to be able to bring their bowlers back, and having to bowl big spells, and hopefully we can keep keep bringing them back tomorrow.”

New Zealand opted not to enforce the follow-on, and their batters took center stage in the final session. Skipper Tom Latham fell early, chopping on for 19, while Will Young contributed a brisk 60 off 85 balls before falling to a Ben Stokes delivery. O’Rourke, sent in as a nightwatchman, edged behind off Stokes for a duck, but Rachin Ravindra (2) and Williamson (50) safely navigated the hosts to stumps.

The Kiwis are determined to secure a consolation victory to give Tim Southee a fitting farewell on his home ground in his final Test. It was the younger pace duo of Henry (4-48) and O’Rourke (3-33) who inflicted the early damage, with Henry removing both England openers in the fifth over. O’Rourke then stepped up after lunch, claiming two wickets in two balls, including the prized scalp of Harry Brook for a golden duck.

England’s middle order crumbled, with Joe Root falling to a vicious O’Rourke delivery that reared up into his face, leaving the visitors reeling at 82-5. Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes staged a brief recovery with a 52-run partnership, but Santner’s introduction turned the tide. The left-arm spinner dismissed Pope and Stokes in quick succession, before combining with Henry to mop up the tail.

“It hasn’t been our best day, it’s as simple as that. We’re always pretty honest in that dressing room,” admitted England assistant coach Paul Collingwood. “One thing I would say is that I think we witnessed a pretty special hostile spell of test bowling (from O’Rourke) today. It was great to watch.”

With a commanding lead and Williamson looking in ominous form, New Zealand are poised to push for a victory that would provide a fitting send-off for the retiring Southee and restore some pride after a challenging series.

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