Luke Ronchi marked his Test debut with a quickfire 88 as New Zealand fought back on the first day at Headingley after James Anderson became the first England bowler to take 400 Test wickets.
– Azhar Ali ton takes Pakistan to series win over Zimbabwe
– Jimmy Anderson takes 400th Test wicket against New Zealand
– FOLLOW: Cricket Live Scores
New Zealand, after being sent into bat by England captain Alastair Cook following a washed-out morning session, slumped to two for two. But a sixth-wicket stand of 120 between opener Tom Latham, dropped four times on his way to 84, and the dashing Ronchi helped New Zealand recover to 297 for eight at stumps.
New Zealand were quickly in trouble. Anderson struck twice in three balls to reduce them to two for two. The 32-year-old paceman removed both opener Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson for ducks.
James Anderson is the first England bowler to reach 400 Test wickets. Reaction on #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/hhR6zAG1U8
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) May 29, 2015
Anderson started this match, his 104th Test, with 399 wickets. And the Lancashire swing bowler needed just eight balls to become just the 12th bowler overall to take 400 Test wickets, reaching the landmark with a classic delivery that took Guptill’s outside edge and was well caught, above his head, by second slip Ian Bell.
No sooner had Anderson struck, rain forced a 10-minute stoppage. But when play resumed, Anderson quickly had his 401st Test wicket. Williamson fell second ball when edging Anderson to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.
Ross Taylor (20) played no stroke to a Stuart Broad delivery that cut back and was lbw. But undaunted New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum drove his first ball, from Broad, high over cover for six.
Latham had made fifty when a Ben Stokes delivery caught the shoulder of his bat. A leaping Joe Root at gully got fingertips to the ball but couldn’t hold on. He was given three more lives, twice off Ali and once of Broad.
McCullum (41) was out to the first ball after tea when he drove Stokes straight to mid-off. Ronchi came in at 144 for five. The 34-year-old, brought in for an injured BJ Watling, showed few nerves as he raced to fifty off just 37 balls, including eight fours and two sixes.
He gloved Wood over the slips first ball for a streaky four. But from then on he was increasingly assured, driving Moeen Ali for six before sweeping the off-spinner high over the rope for his fifty.
Latham’s luck ran out when he was caught at first slip by Root off Broad. Ronchi’s 70-ball knock, including 13 fours and three sixes, also ended when Broad had him hooking to Anderson at fine leg.
