England's cunning plan unravels as 'one of the great juggling efforts' counts for nothing
A brilliantly juggled catch by Jack Leach in the deep was all for nothing on day two of England's first Test against New Zealand after Stuart Broad was found to have overstepped.
The Black Caps were 3/61 at Mount Maunganui when nightwatchman Neil Wagner pulled one towards third man, landing in the hands of Leach.
It wasn't without a bit of circus action, as the spin bowler juggled the ball before catching it against his chest to snag the wicket.
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Ecstasy quickly turned to agony as umpire Chris Gaffaney raised his hand to signal a no ball.
Neil Wagner pulls the ball towards third man where Jack Leach juggled the ball. Phil Walter via Getty Images
"Oh no," said former Black Caps batter turned Spark Sport commentator Mark Richardson.
"Oh no. They all love it when a plan comes together, but if your stride is too long it'll unravel that plan in no time.
"They've destroyed one of the great juggling efforts of all time."
Ironically, a day earlier, Wagner was on the receiving end of a similar incident when his first ball of the match took the wicket of Zak Crawley, only to be deemed a no ball.
Stuart Broad pats Neil Wagner on the back after umpire Chris Gaffaney calls a no ball. Phil Walter via Getty Images
On day two, Wagner hung around for a few more overs before Broad eventually dismissed him for 27.
That brought up a record 1000th wicket between Broad and offsider James Anderson as a bowling pair.
Darryl Mitchell came in after Wagner and lasted just 10 deliveries when he left a ball off Ollie Robinson's bowling that clattered into his front pad, given out lbw.
Late on day two, New Zealand were 9/286, with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell scoring a fine century.
England scored 9/325d on day one of the Test before taking three quick wickets under lights.
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