Root's dismal run continues as England falter

Joe Root's misfiring year continued when he was out for two in an orwise satisfactory start for England in first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Thursday.



Root, who on Test eve denied captaincy was affecting his batting, faced 21 deliveries before finally getting off mark at batter-friendly Bay Oval pitch.

But with next ball, he nibbled at a wide Neil Wagner delivery and nicked ball to Tim Soue in slips.

At tea, England were 121 for three after Root had won toss and repeated team's intention to "bat long".

Rory Burns, albeit with a lot of luck, and Joe Denly played ir part in forging innings but skipper, who w has three ducks and a two in his last eight innings, never looked comfortable.

Burns survived three chances on his way to 52 while Denly took hours in an engaging bouncer battle with New Zealand short-ball specialist Wagner.

Opener Burns brought up his fifth Test 50 with four but three balls later he wafted his bat at a gentle Colin de Grandhomme offering and was caught behind.

Denly's confrontation with Wagner started with a boundary.

Wagner responded with two bouncers, second of which was top-edged but landed just short of de Grandhomme in gully.

Denly, refusing to be intimidated, pulled next short ball to boundary and gave two more rising deliveries same treatment in following over.

In Wagner's first spell after lunch, Denly faced 18 deliveries and scored 23 runs.

By tea, he was t out 41 with Ben Stokes yet to score.

All-rounder De Grandhomme, who took wicket of Dom Sibley (22) in morning session, delivers incuous-looking medium pacers but was most successful New Zealand bowler with two for 23, while Wagner has one for 41.