During the second day of the 2nd Test, Ollie Pope’s exceptional display of fielding was on full display as he anticipated Daryl Mitchell’s catch before the Kiwi batter could play his shot.
England were in control on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand, reducing the hosts to 138/7 after scoring a solid 435/8 in the first innings. Rain prevented New Zealand from suffering a more significant defeat by England in the second cricket Test. On the first day, the rain arrived after only 65 overs when England was already at 315-3. England declared their first innings at 435 after a 302-run partnership between Harry Brook, who made 186, and Joe Root, who remained unbeaten at 153.
James Anderson once again dismantled the New Zealand top order, as he and Stuart Broad had done in England’s victory in the first test at Mount Maunganui. He dismissed Devon Conway (0) with only the fifth ball of the New Zealand innings, then got rid of Kane Williamson (4) and Will Young (2).
New Zealand’s recovery was led by Tom Latham, who scored 35 and took the total to 60-4 before he swept at Leach and was caught at slip by Root as the ball grazed the top of his glove.
However, it was Ollie Pope’s catch at silly point that left fans and former cricketers in awe. Pope stood very close to Daryl Mitchell and anticipated the catch before Mitchell could play the shot, ultimately making a one-handed catch.
Earlier, the world’s best Test bowler, Anderson, added to his haul of 7-54 from the first test by dismissing Conway in his first over. Although the ball passed the outside edge of Conway’s bat without making much of a sound, Foakes and the slip field went up and convinced Stokes to review the not out decision. Replays clearly showed a faint edge.
Williamson, who has been chronically out of form, dangled his bat at a ball from Anderson that was wide of off stump and going away, presenting an easy catch to Foakes.