Highest 10th wicket partnership for NZ in Tests in 21st century

Constructing a vital partnership in any format of the sport, which helps the side get ahead in the contest, is certainly a matter of great pride. It seldom happens that batters from the lower order, especially for the 10th wicket, take centre stage and score vital runs by constructing a partnership. However, there have been occasions when batters for the 10th wicket have etched their names in history, and in this piece, we take a look at the top three highest 10th wicket partnerships for the Kiwis in Tests in the 21st century-

3. Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel – 104 runs

Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel put on a partnership of 104 for the 10th wicket for New Zealand in their first innings in the second test against Pakistan. Coming in at 345-9, the duo put on 104 runs in 149 balls with a handful of overs into the second session on Day 2. Henry added an unbeaten 68 runs from 81 balls, whereas Ajaz scored 35 runs from 78 deliveries before getting dismissed. The partnership eventually became the third highest in the 21st century for New Zealand.

2. Nathan Astle and Chris Cairns – 118 runs

In 2002 against England, the Kiwis nearly managed to pull off a miraculous win while chasing a huge total of 550. Astle belted a fifty in just 54 balls with ten fours. Furthermore, the all-rounder didn’t bother to change his game while the wickets kept falling at the other end. Cairns came in later as wickets toppled and built a solid partnership as Astle went bonkers to score 200. The duo added 118 runs for the 10th wicket, making it the second-highest in the 21st century for the Kiwis.

1. Trent Boult and Bradley-John Watling – 127 runs

In 2013, a10th -icket stand of 127 runs between Watling and Boult helped the Black Caps to a first-innings total of 469 on Day 2 of the opening match in a two-Test series against Bangladesh. The duo fended off the rival bowlers first, and soon they were dominating the attack. Watling completed a second Test century (103) off 171 balls while Boult was unbeaten on 52. The partnership became the second-highest in the overall history for the Kiwis and the highest 10th-wicket partnership in Tests in the 21st century.