Compton, Trott Bat England Into Strong Position

Compton, Trott Bat England Into Strong Position

Jonathan Trott followed up a half-century in Dunedin with his ninth Test century in Wellington

©REUTERS / Action Images

England 267-2 (Trott 121no, Compton 100) v
New Zealand
Second Test, Wellington, day one
Scorecard
Report by John Pennington

The team line-ups were exactly as they were in Dunedin and even the toss outcome was the same but there the similarities ended as England dominated day one of the second Test against New Zealand at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

On a fine sunny day, centuries for Nick Compton and Jonathan Trott guided England into position to build a weighty first innings score and they closed on an imposing 267 for two having been invited to bat first.

Trott was unbeaten on 121 and Compton fell for 100 having backed up his maiden century in the second innings of the drawn first Test with another fine hundred. Dunedin was clearly no fluke.

Brendon McCullum had flatteringly, and perhaps playfully, compared Alastair Cook's form to Sir Don Bradman in the build-up to the game, but today the England captain managed just 17 but at stumps, Kevin Pietersen was poised - ominously, perhaps - on 18 not out alongside Trott.

England had been reckless on day one in Dunedin, and despite the glorious conditions, they started this match in circumspect fashion, Cook and Compton almost seeing out the first hour of play before the former was caught by Peter Fulton off Neil Wagner from his 31st delivery.

They had made 26 for the first wicket but any potential hints of blushes were spared as Compton and Trott proceeded to score more than nine times as many runs together in a partnership worth 236 for the second wicket.

Compton hit 15 fours in his 230-ball innings, falling six balls after reaching his milestone when he was caught by Ross Taylor off Bruce Martin. Under extreme pressure in Dunedin after a first ball duck, Compton has come up with the response the England management would have demanded. Talk of Joe Root opening and a return for Jonny Bairstow can be calmed for a while.

Trott, meanwhile, made 121 in 234 balls, also hitting 15 boundaries and after taking the lead role in the mammoth partnership he safely saw things through to stumps with Pietersen sensibly facing 48 balls and hitting just one four to put England firmly on the front foot.

© Cricket World 2013