Five face-saving partnerships which rescued England after batting failure

#3 Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood (95 against New Zealand, March 2018)

Jonny Bairstow (101) and Mark Wood (52) stitched a gallant partnership against NZ

England conceded a loss in the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand in New Zealand and was inserted to bat first at Christchurch in the second Test by Kane Williamson, the Kiwi captain. After castling Alastair Cook early, Boult and Southee ran through the English top-order.

At 164/7, England was still not out of the danger of posting an inadequate first innings total. The incoming batsman Mark Wood provided a great support to Jonny Bairstow and the duo accumulated 95 runs against the fiery bowling of Boult and Southee, who ultimately shared all ten wickets between themselves.

Mark Wood (52) was dismissed after his half-century while Bairstow (101) went on to notch up a well-deserved Test century. From a delicate position of 164/7, England reached a respectable 307 and also gained a 29-run lead in the eventually drawn Test.