Trott and Root keep Kiwis at bay

LONDON (AFP) –

England’s Steven Finn celebrates taking the wicket of New Zealand’s BJ Watling during the third day of the first Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s on May 18, 2013. Jonathan Trott and Joe Root steadied England’s second innings after New Zealand struck twice with the new ball.

Jonathan Trott and Joe Root steadied England’s second innings after New Zealand struck twice with the new ball on the third day of the first Test at Lord’s on Saturday.

At tea, England were 91 for two — a lead of 116 runs – with Trott 25 not out and Root 28 not out after the hosts had lost their first two wickets with the score on 36.

England captain Alastair Cook (21), for the second time this match and fourth time in four Tests, fell to to left-arm quick Trent Boult being drawn into playing a ball outside off stump that was well caught by third slip Dean Brownlie.

Neil Wagner, also a left-arm seamer, then uprooted fellow South Africa-born cricketer Nick Compton’s off-stump with a superb full length inswinger that saw Cook’s opening partner out for 15.

England had now lost two wickets for no runs in eight balls.

But England’s new-look third wicket duo kept New Zealand at bay with a stand worth 55 runs so far.

With Ian Bell suffering with ‘flu, Root was promoted up the order to number four.

England’s Jonathan Trott plays a shot during the third day of the first Test cricket between England and New Zealand at Lord’s in London on May 18, 2013. Trott and Joe Root steadied England’s second innings after New Zealand struck twice with the new ball.

Trott, another South Africa-born player appearing in this match, then calmed England nerves when he forced Wagner off the back foot for four through point.

And when Boult dropped short, Root pulled and cut him for two fours in three balls.

Left-arm spinner Bruce Martin had tied England down in their first innings but in his first over Saturday forced him through mid-wicket and cut him through point for two well-hit boundaries.

Before lunch, England dismissed New Zealand for 207 before a modest first innings lead of 25 runs

James Anderson, who on Friday had become only the fourth England bowler to take 300 Test wickets, finished with five wickets for 47 runs in 24 overs.

It was the 30-year-old Lancashire swing bowler’s 13th five-wicket or better innings return in an 81 Test-career that started at Lord’s a decade ago.

Having taken three wickets on Friday, including that of New Zealand top scorer Ross Taylor (66), Anderson returned Saturday figures of two for 15 in nine overs.

He was well supported by fast bowler Steven Finn, whose four for 63 on his Middlesex home ground, featured Saturday figures of three for 21 in four overs.

However, it was the previously wayward Stuart Broad who made the early breakthrough Saturday after New Zealand resumed on 153 for four.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, a dangerous batsman, fell for two when he edged Broad to wicket-keeper Matt Prior.

Kane Williamson, dropped on 23 by Prior off Anderson on Friday and 44 not out overnight, marked his first Test in England with a 158-ball fifty featuring five fours.

However, there was no second reprieve for Williamson when he glanced a rare stray delivery from Anderson down the legside to Prior for 60.