England collapses to 43 for four in shocking start against New Zealand

On December 8, 2024, in Wellington, New Zealand, Joe Root registered his 36th test century, solidifying England's position in the second cricket test against New Zealand. England commenced their second innings with an already commanding lead of 533 runs, at 378-5, and managed to extend this further before declaring at 960. Root's impressive innings of 106 runs from 127 balls propelled England to a remarkable declaration total of 583 runs, setting New Zealand a daunting target. England's bowlers quickly capitalized on this lead, reducing New Zealand to 59-4 at lunch on the third day, still trailing by 523 runs. The match had seen significant swings in momentum, particularly on the first day when New Zealand had put England under pressure, having them at 43-4 before a superb partnership between Harry Brook (123 off 115) and Ollie Pope (66) rescued their innings. England's initial troubles stemmed from a favorable pitch and effective New Zealand bowling, with quick dismissals of England's top order batsmen. Brook and Pope's stand was a defining moment, as their counter-attack helped turn the match around, eventually allowing England to reach 280 all out. New Zealand faced challenges when they came into bat during their first innings, becoming quickly aware of the difficult conditions and the testing seam movements offered by the pitch. Following a poor start, the pressure mounted, and when they resumed with their second innings, they found themselves in a precarious position against England's disciplined bowling attack. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse proved particularly effective, dismissing key New Zealand players early in their innings, further exacerbating the Black Caps' struggles. As the test match progressed, Root's leadership and batting prowess became pivotal. England's declaration left New Zealand facing potential history, as they needed to mount the highest successful run chase in test cricket history to win the match. With rain potentially affecting play, New Zealand entered the session facing intense scrutiny and pressure to avoid a whitewash in the series, following England's victory in the first test at Christchurch by eight wickets. The series, now on the line, set the stage for a dramatic finish as the teams headed into the final days of the contest.