New Zealand dominate England on day two of Hamilton Test

New Zealand has gained ascendancy over England in the third Test in Hamilton, leading by 340 runs with seven wickets in hand at the close of play on Sunday.

Mitchell Santner (76) added valuable runs early on day two after the Black Caps began the day on 315/9, putting on a quickfire 32 alongside Will O’Rourke (5) to take the home side through to 347 all out.

Top sportsbooks had New Zealand as favorites to win the Test after their innings, and cricket betting odds continued to shift in their favor over the course of the day as English wickets fell.

Openers Zak Crawley (21) and Ben Duckett (11) were both out to the pace of Matt Henry inside the opening five overs.

Jacob Bethell (12) and Joe Root (32) combined to take the visitors to 77/2, before O’Rourke struck in back-to-back balls, removing Bethell and new batsman Harry Brook (0).

Root followed soon after, with O’Rourke’s bounce and movement troubling the English batsmen.

Ollie Pope (24) and Ben Stokes (27) steadied the ship somewhat for England, putting on 52 runs for the sixth wicket.

However, a smart tactical move had Santner introduced to the attack in a Test dominated by seam, with the left arm spinner taking a wicket in his first over and ending on 3/7.

Henry returned to clean up the tail, and England were left reeling at 143 all out, still trailing New Zealand’s first innings total by 204 runs.

The hosts opted not to enforce the follow-on, instead extending their lead through half centuries to Will Young (60) and Kane Williamson (50).

The latter remains unbeaten and will look to build an imposing total for England to chase in the fourth innings, with the Black Caps ending the day on 136/3.

Bovada has New Zealand heavy favorites to go on and win the Test, with odds of just -1111.11 for the Kiwis to prevail, compared to England’s +750.

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