Alastair Cook did not quite agree his side may have the momentum from the drawn first test against New Zealand as it heads into the second on Thursday though his assertion it was growing in confidence sent an ominous warning to Brendon McCullum’s team.
New Zealand dominated the first innings’ play at University Oval, dismissing Cook’s team for 167 and then posting 460 for nine declared.
England, however, then demonstrated why it was the second best test team in the world as it knuckled down in its second innings with Cook and Nick Compton combining for a 231-run opening partnership.
“I think we have some confidence after that fightback,” Cook told reporters on Wednesday at a sun-drenched Basin Reserve of its Dunedin second innings 421 for six.
