England 7-337 (Joe Root 104, Jonny Bairstow 64, Trent Boult 3-48) vs. New Zealand.

Joe Root plundered his first Test ton against the visiting New Zealand as Jonny Bairstow assisted him well and took England to a safer position in the 2^nd Test.

England smashed 337 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 94 overs at the close of the second day’s play.

The second and final Test of the series commenced on Saturday, May 24, 2013, at Headingley, Leeds, as the first day was washed out because of the weather.

Alastair Cook, the skipper of England, won the toss and elected to bat first. He came in to bat along with Nick Compton who remained colourless and lost his wicket at 11 after scoring just one run. Jonathan Trott joined in next with Cook as the first hit a couple of fours in the sixth over and added two more boundaries until the end of the 14^th over. Cook followed him by grasping another 3 fours, survived a review in the 16^th one and kept on creeping with his partner. Trott became the second victim at 67 in 25 overs at his individual contribution of 30 and Cook departed at the same score for 34 in the next over.

The young gun of England, Joe Root, and the experienced Ian Bell got together at a critical stage and started mending the loss with concentration. The duo did not take any risk, kept the score board moving with few boundaries and took the score to 146 in 51.3 overs. Ian Bell was caught behind by Brendon McCullum off Kane Williamson for 30 and another youngster, Jonny Bairstow, associated with Joe Root who got his fifty in the 53^rd over. Bairstow posted 3 fours in the coming overs as Root dispatched three back to back fours in the 63^rd over. The score went past the 200 runs mark in the same over as the run rate was checked by the rival bowlers in the following overs.

Bairstow kept on cruising at his end and Root also survived a review in the 74^th over. Jonny Bairstow reached his third Test fifty in the 75^th over with a four and Joe Root plundered his maiden Test century three overs later. Root was finally caught behind by McCullum off Trent Boult for 104 off 167 balls with 9 fours. The fifth wicket fell at 270 and Bairstow followed him 9 runs later after scoring 64 off 99 deliveries comprising 8 fours.

The hosts reached 7-286 after 84.1 overs when Matt Prior and Graeme Swann put their heads down for strengthening the position of their team. Prior got back the rhythm by striking nicely, he was sending the ball out of the fence at will and Swann kept his cool at his side. Matt Prior remained unbeaten for 38 off 44 with 7 fours and Graeme Swann secured his end with 21 as England hammered 7-337 in 97 overs.

Trent Boult was the supreme bowler with three wickets whereas Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Dough Bracewell and Kane Williamson shared one wicket each.

England is currently in very sound position and will try to grab another 70-80 runs which can put them in command against the Black Caps.