England and New Zealand are fighting it out in the ongoing second Test match of their two-match series. While Ben Stokes‘ men are looking for a whitewash, having already won the first match, the home team is looking to level the score line.
For a brief moment on Day 4 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, it appeared that Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell would bat all day to set England an imposing target in the second Test. But it was the unlikely Harry Brook who brought the big partnership to an end, dismissing centurion Williamson.
In the meantime, near the end of New Zealand’s innings, the cameraman captured a female fan seated alongside her boyfriend with a unique placard for ‘Ben’. It read: “Ben, my boyfriend’s here to see the cricket. I’m here to see you”. One of the commentators on air reacted by saying: “Biggest question is which Ben? Is it Foakes or Duckett or…”
The camera then panned to Stokes, who looked at the screen and nodded his head, whether in response to something said on the field among teammates or in response to the female fan’s placard is unknown. As the hilarious speculation about it continued, a fellow commentator said: “It’s Stokes based on the colour of the hair of her boyfriend.”
Here is the video of Ben Stokes’ reaction
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As for the game, after being imposed a follow-on, New Zealand’s second innings ended quickly after Williamson’s wicket, giving England a 258-run target. And the visitors responded magnificently. Despite Tim Southee‘s wicket to dismiss Zak Crawley before the end of the match’s penultimate day, Ben Duckett’s promising start reduced England’s chase to 210 with nine wickets in hand.
On the final day of the second Test, England will resume their innings at 48 for 1 with Duckett on 23 and nightwatchman Ollie Robinson on 1.
