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Wellington: England’s Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott punctured New Zealand’s growing bubble of self-belief on Thursday as they both scored centuries to guide their side to an imposing 267 for two at the close of play on the first day of the second Test.
The hosts had entered the match with a burgeoning sense of confidence after a credible performance in the drawn first Test in Dunedin, though England’s batsmen brought them back to earth on Thursday with a ruthlessly efficient display.
Trott was 121 not out, his ninth century, at stumps after he and Compton combined for a 210-run partnership on a Basin Reserve pitch that was offering New Zealand little assistance. Kevin Pietersen was on 18 at the close of play.
Compton had been dismissed in the final hour for 100, his second Test century. “It was important that Nick and I got going after losing Alastair early and we managed to do that,” Trott told reporters.
Brendon McCullum had won the toss and chosen to bowl to try to extract whatever help they could get from the pitch expected to offer more pace and bounce than University Oval in Dunedin.
Captain Alastair Cook (17) was the only wicket to fall in the first session when he appeared to get through his shot a little ahead of the delivery from left arm pace bowler Neil Wagner and it spooned to Peter Fulton at mid-on.
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