[Watch] Debutant Nathan Smith Removes Joe Root For A Duck On Day 2 Of New Zealand vs England 2024 First Test

New Zealand’s Nathan Smith, playing his first Test match, got rid of the dangerous Joe Root for a duck in the second day of the first Test being held at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.

Smith, aged 26 years, made Root to edge the ball onto the stumps just before lunch which took the wind off the English dressing room. This was his second over in international cricket and what did he do?

Root, the man in his 150th Test, was supposed to lead the English side, but Smith outsmarted the premier English batsman. The wicket also provided New Zealand much-needed breather and they will be keen to press on the advantage.

Debutant Nathan Smith Removes Joe Root

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The 15th over of the innings was quite significant for New Zealand as the debutant Nathan Smith got rid of the star English batter Joe Root. Smith, a right-arm paceman, bowled a back of length, which Root tried to play to the third man. But again, the ball went straight down the inside of Root’s bat and then struck the back of the stump, which sent Root packing for a duck.

Smith had also dismissed debutant Jacob Bethell early in the over by clean bowling him for 10. The Black Caps started the day at 319/8 but only managed to score an additional 29 runs in that session. Brydon Carse got the remaining two wickets, with Glenn Phillips unbeaten on 58 off 87 balls.

Kane Williamson announced himself for the hosts on the first day of the Test match with a well-made 93, which he offered to Gus Atkinson. Still, the Black Caps will be happier with their bowlers, notably Duncan’s newbie, Nathan Smith, even though the overall aggregate is a decidedly low one.