ENG vs NZ: We Were Probably Lacking The Intent To Score In The First Test - Devon Conway

New Zealand batter Devon Conway credited the positive mindset of the team for batting aggressively on Day 1 of the second Test against England at the Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Friday (June 10).

New Zealand lost the first Test by five wickets at the Lord’s as England rode on Joe Root’s scintillating unbeaten 115 in the 278-run chase.

On the eve of the second Test, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson returned a COVID-19 positive test and has been under an isolation period of five days. Tom Latham was named the captain for the second Test.

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The Black Caps didn’t seem quite affected by Williamson’s absence as they put up 318 for four wickets down after being asked to bat first. Daryl Micthell and Tom Blundell were once again amongst the runs, scoring consecutive half-centuries. The duo combined another century partnership (149-run unbeaten stand) to keep the visitors in a commanding position on Day 1.

English bowlers bowled quite full and that presented us with scoring opportunities: Devon Conway

Conway, who scored 46 off 62 balls with seven boundaries, said the intent to score was missing in the first Test and playing square of the wicket reaped rewards for them.

“One of the things we spoke about in our batting meetings between tests was to try and be a bit more aggressive – have that positive mindset and intent to score. We were probably lacking that a bit in the first test. We tried to control that as best as possible and are reaping the rewards after day one,” Conway told reports at the end of gameplay on Day 1.

“The English bowlers bowled quite full and that presented us with scoring opportunities. As batters, we always try to hit the ball as straight as possible, but we just reacted to what was in front of us and that allowed us to hit square of the wicket,” he added. 

James Anderson picked the wickets of Latham and Conway while Ben Stokes dismissed Will Young and Henry Nicholls on a tiring day for the hosts.

Also Read: ENG vs NZ: It Felt Almost Like Joe Was 18 Again- Ben Stokes Said Of His Teammate’s Match-Winning Century At Lord’s