The China Mail - Henry strikes as New Zealand strengthen grip against England

New Zealand led by exactly 100 runs going into their second innings after dismissing England for 291 on the stroke of lunch on the third day at the Oval.

And at tea the Black Caps, who made 391 in their first innings, were 94-2 in the second, an overall lead of 194 runs.

Ravindra was unbeaten on 53 and Henry Nicholls had made 39 not out.

Earlier, fast-medium bowler Henry returned fine figures of 5-80 in 24 overs to bolster New Zealand's bid to level this three-match series at 1-1 after their 115-run defeat in the first Test at Lord's.

England's position would have been worse but for tailender Matt Fisher's 50 not out -- his maiden Test half-century.

Fisher, on his Surrey home ground, was supported in a last-wicket stand of 53 by Sonny Baker, one of three England debutants, after they came together with the hosts in dire straits at 238-9.

England had resumed play on 222-6 on Friday morning beneath sunny blue skies -- seemingly ideal conditions for batting.

Debutant Jordan Cox added just five runs to his overnight was 22 when a clip off Henry was well-caught at short midwicket by diving New Zealand captain Tom Latham.

Henry, troubled by back spasms at Lord's, struck again with the aid of another well-executed tactical ploy when Jofra Archer was out for eight after a top-edged cut was brilliantly caught by wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, standing up to the stumps.

Josh Tongue's miscued drive off Henry was well-held one-handed, at the second attempt, by a back-pedalling Nathan Smith at mid-on.

England's last-wicket pair then hung on against a succession of bouncers, with fast bowlers on both sides curiously reluctant to test the tail-enders with yorkers instead.

New Zealand then suffered a setback when Latham, one of a quartet of left-handers in the top order, fell for just four when he edged an excellent Archer delivery to debutant wicket-keeper James Rew.

Fellow opener Devon Conway was dismissed cheaply for the second time in the match when he nicked Tongue's first ball Friday to Harry Brook in the slips.

New Zealand were now faltering at 28-2.

Tongue almost had Ravindra out edging for seven but a diving Rew, enduring a tough match behind the stumps, failed to hold a left-handed chance.

Ravindra held firm, as did Nicholls, given the unenviable task of replacing Kane Williamson at number three after the outstanding batsman retired from international cricket immediately after the first Test.

Stand-in England skipper Joe Root, leading the side after captain Ben Stokes was stood down for breaking a team curfew, tried to break through with his part-time off-spin but to no avail.

C.Smith--ThChM