Williamson dismissal puts England in front in first New Zealand test

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Kane Williamson walks off the pitch dejected after his wicket is taken by England's Sam Curran REUTERS/Ross Setford

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Sam Curran produced an unplayable ball to dismiss New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and put England in a strong position at the end of the second day of the first test at Bay Oval on Friday.

The hosts ended the day on 144-4 and Henry Nicholls (26) and BJ Watling (six) will resume in Mt. Maunganui on Saturday to try and eat into their 209-run deficit after England were dismissed for 353 after lunch on Friday.

Williamson had been rested for the Twenty20 matches before the two-test series and had just four innings since the World Cup final in July, one of which was in a first-class game last month.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Ollie Pope celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket New Zealand's Ross Taylor REUTERS/Ross Setford

The 29-year-old, however, anchored New Zealand's innings with his 31st test half century but was surprised by a ball from Curran that reared off the pitch. Williamson was caught in the slips for 51 off the next delivery after he reached the milestone.

Tom Latham had been dismissed before tea for eight, while Jeet Raval (19) and Ross Taylor (25) both fell to reckless shots as they holed out in the deep in the final session.

Neil Wagner had wrapped up England's innings about an hour after the lunch break after a superb spell from Tim Southee in the first session dragged his side back into the match.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England team huddle REUTERS/Ross Setford

The tourists had looked well set to post a big total when they resumed on Friday on 241-4 with Ben Stokes at the crease on 67 and eager to push on.

The all-rounder and Ollie Pope, who overturned an early lbw decision on review while on his overnight score of 18, dominated the first 30 minutes with Stokes in particular bristling with aggression.

Stokes raced to 91 and looked set for his ninth test century when he slashed at a Southee delivery and was caught one handed by a diving Taylor at first slip.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand fans during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

His dismissal sparked a collapse as England slumped from 277-4 to 286-7 and then 295-8 before Jos Buttler (43) and Jack Leach, who finished 18 not out, combined for an important ninth wicket partnership of 52 runs.

Wagner finished off England's innings when he bowled Stuart Broad for one having had Buttler caught at deep point by Mitchell Santner.

Santner had actually been off the field signing autographs shortly before Wagner began his run up and was perhaps unsighted by Buttler, who had been dropped by Raval in a similar position in the previous over.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Ross Taylor during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

Southee finished with 4-88 and could have had a five-wicket haul had Raval not dropped Buttler.

The second test is at Seddon Park in Hamilton from Nov. 29-Dec. 3.

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Sam Curran celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket New Zealand's Tom Latham REUTERS/Ross Setford

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Peter Rutherford and Muralikumar Anantharaman)

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Ollie Pope takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Ross Taylor REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Tom Latham reacts as he completes a run REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Henry Nicholls in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Stuart Broad during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jofra Archer during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer during the match REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jofra Archer in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Jeet Raval in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Neil Wagner celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Jos Buttler REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jos Buttler hits a six REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jos Buttler walks off the pitch dejected after his wicket is taken by New Zealand's Neil Wagner REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Jeet Raval in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jofra Archer in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 England's Jofra Archer in action REUTERS/Ross Setford

Cricket - New Zealand v England - First Test - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, New Zealand - November 22, 2019 New Zealand's Neil Wagner takes the wicket of England's Stuart Broad REUTERS/Ross Setford