In a dominant display, England took full control of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington, thanks in part to Gus Atkinson's hat-trick on the second morning. New Zealand's final five wickets were fired out for only 39 runs, while England built a huge lead of 533 runs by the end of the day. England's Jacob Bethell was denied a maiden first-class century, falling just four runs short, but the team's impressive batting display sets them up for a possible overnight declaration.
England Dominates New Zealand in Second Test
In a commanding performance, England seized control of the second Test match against New Zealand in Wellington, New Zealand. The match, played in the iconic Basin Reserve, saw the visitors establish a commanding lead thanks to an impressive bowling display and a strong batting lineup.
Morning Surge: Atkinson's Hat-Trick Demolishes Kiwi Batting
On the second morning of the Test, England seamer Gus Atkinson made history by claiming a hat-trick, dismissing the final three New Zealand batsmen. This remarkable feat saw the visitors skittle the hosts for just 212 runs, gaining a significant advantage in the match.
England Piles on Batting Runs
Armed with a healthy lead, England's batsmen took full advantage of the opportunity to extend their advantage. Led by a brilliant knock from Jacob Bethell, who narrowly missed out on a maiden first-class century by falling four runs short, the visitors amassed a total of 745 runs in their first innings.
Kiwi Bowling Woes
New Zealand's bowling attack, which had shown promise in the first Test, struggled to contain the English batsmen. With the exception of spinner Michael Bracewell, who took four wickets, the Kiwi bowlers failed to make an impact on the England batting lineup.
England's Grip Tightens
By the end of the day's play, England had built a mammoth lead of 533 runs over New Zealand. The hosts faced an uphill task to stay in the Test and avoid a humiliating defeat.
Possible Overnight Declaration
With such a sizable lead, England now has the option of declaring its innings overnight and setting New Zealand an unlikely target to chase. This could result in a swift conclusion to the match and a series win for the visitors.
Top 5 FAQs on England vs. New Zealand
1. Who scored the most runs for England in the second Test? Jacob Bethell (158 runs)
2. How many wickets did Gus Atkinson take on the second morning? Hat-trick (3 wickets)
3. What was the final score of New Zealand's first innings? 212 runs
4. Who is the leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in the series? Michael Bracewell (10 wickets)
5. Which England player scored a century in the first Test? Joe Root (101 runs)
Arsenal extended their perfect Champions League start with a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid, thanks to two goals from Viktor Gyökeres. The Gunners now sit at the top of the Champions League table alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, with nine points from three games. Despite concerns over his lack of goals, Gyökeres proved his worth as he helped Arsenal to victory. Atletico Madrid's lack of an away win this season will be a cause for concern for manager Diego Simeone.
The future of Arsenal player Gabriel Jesus remains uncertain as rumors of his transfer circulate. While fans eagerly wait for updates on which club he will join in the January transfer window, the Gunners will have to find a replacement with similar scoring abilities. All eyes are on the upcoming transfer window to see how this move will impact the team's future.
Arsenal's defensive options are given a boost with the return of defender Piero Hincapie ahead of their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Hincapie's return comes at a crucial time for manager Mikel Arteta, who is faced with tough selection decisions due to a busy fixture schedule. The Gunners, currently unbeaten in Europe, are looking to continue their flawless start and prove themselves as genuine contenders in the European competition.
As the Champions League returns, Arsenal will face off with Atletico Madrid in a highly anticipated matchup at the Emirates. Both managers, Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone, have praised each other ahead of the game and are looking to come out victorious after their recent bouts in England. Simeone, who has been at the helm of Atletico since 2011, has offered some advice for Arteta, urging him to maintain the identity he has instilled in the Arsenal squad since his arrival. All eyes will be on this blockbuster clash, as Arteta looks to showcase his tactical prowess against one of the best in the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has made two changes to his starting lineup for tonight's Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Gabriel Martinelli and Myles Lewis-Skelly get the nod, while Piero Hincapie returns from injury to the bench. Atletico, on the other hand, have dropped Antoine Griezmann and have made two changes from their weekend victory, including including the return of Nico Gonzalez who suffered a head injury.
After a tumultuous time at Manchester United, Marcus Rashford is thriving at Barcelona as the club's top scorer and playmaker. Despite joining on loan as a practical move for both clubs, Rashford has become a key player for the Spanish giants with five goals and four assists in just 13 games. His improved all-around game has caught the eye of manager Hansi Flick and he has been able to fill in and contribute while other star players deal with injuries, making him an indispensable part of Barcelona's attack.
After a string of goalless matches, Viktor Gyokeres finally found the back of the net twice in Arsenal's 4-0 win against Atletico Madrid. Despite his lack of goals, manager Mikel Arteta continued to praise Gyokeres for his impact on the team and rewarded him with a hug after their recent win over West Ham. Having played more minutes than expected due to an injury to Kai Havertz, Gyokeres' persistence paid off as he now has five goals in 12 matches for Arsenal.
Despite being the reigning Premier League champions, Liverpool has been going through a rough patch, with four consecutive defeats in all competitions. They now face Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany for their third competitive meeting. While the Reds lost their last Champions League match, Frankfurt suffered a thrashing from Atletico Madrid. Liverpool will be eager to break their losing streak and avoid their worst run in 11 years.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has called for patience with the club's record signing Florian Wirtz, who has struggled to find his footing in the Premier League. Slot drew parallels with Kevin De Bruyne's early struggles at Chelsea, pointing out that it takes time for players to adjust to a new league. He also highlighted Wirtz's potential, stating that he could have had more assists if his teammates had converted their chances.
In a highly-anticipated match, Manchester United stunned Anfield with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool, marking their first win at the stadium since 2016. Defender Harry Maguire secured the winning goal for Man Utd in the second half, edging out Liverpool's equalizer scored by Donyell Malen. This loss also marks a milestone for Liverpool, who have now suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since 2014. Meanwhile, Man Utd records back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Football fans can join in on the discussion and share their reactions by commenting on the match page or using the designated WhatsApp and text platforms.