Shortly after the Tea break, BJ Watling was dismissed for 205 and the Kiwis declared at 615 for nine.
Santner, who was peppered by England’s bowlers throughout his innings, completed his maiden hundred with a flick to the fine leg from a Ben Stokes bouncer for two runs. He hit eight boundaries and four sixes and faced 253 balls.
The left-hander was caught on the long-on boundary by Ollie Pope off Sam Curran for 126 about 15 minutes before tea.
Santa Claws having a good run even before Christmas! Comes 6 down and notches 126 to bag his #MaidenTestTon. #WhistlePodu #NZvENG 🎅🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/nj6rpDxNdZ
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) November 24, 2019
Watling then reached to his double century with a single behind square off England skipper Joe Root and went to tea on 200 not out, while Tim Southee was on two.
WATLING MOMENT! #NZvENG #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/kLImnJhGEd
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 24, 2019
Watling resurrected New Zealand’s innings, having arrived at the crease with the hosts 127-4 and in danger of conceding a first-innings deficit to England, who scored 353.
In terms of balls faced, that from BJ Watling was the second-longest innings in Test history by a wicketkeeper. Only Brendon Kuruppu ahead of him. #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/JXtYL0KGM3
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) November 24, 2019
He added in a 70-run stand with Henry Nicholls, 119 with Colin de Grandhomme, and then 261 runs with Santner, a seventh-wicket for the Black Caps.
Santner and Watling were circumspect after resuming at Bay Oval on 394-6 this morning and scored just 58 runs in 30 overs bowled the first session of play.
They started to up the rate after lunch with Santner in particular becoming more aggressive as he hit Stuart Broad for three boundaries in one over.
The pair accelerated again midway through the middle session, belting 42 runs in the five overs after they took drinks as Santner brought up his century and they extended their side’s lead over 200.
