First Innings: New Zealand XI 237 all out (Watling 65, Rutherford 37, Taylor 32; T Groenewald 4-71) led Somerset 204 all out (Trego 40, Wheeler 5-18) by 33 runs at the Somerset Country Cricket Club in Taunton.
Second Innings: New Zealand XI 149-3 (Santner 70*, Latham 57) after 35.5 overs lead by 182 runs with seven wickets remaining.
Young guns Ben Wheeler and Mitchell Santner starred on day two for the New Zealand XI as they got the visitors back into the match against Somerset with impressive debut performances.
Firstly Wheeler shone on his debut for the New Zealand XI with an aggressive opening spell of fast bowling to set the tone at the Somerset Country Cricket Club in Taunton.
The 23-year-old from Central Districts was the most destructive of the New Zealand attack as he ripped through the top order and finished with figures of 5 for 18 from 11 overs in the fine and warm conditions.
Wheeler, the younger brother of Highlanders rugby lock forward Joe Wheeler, claimed his third five wicket bag in his First Class cricket career and made a name for himself in the international arena.
New Zealand XI bowled Somerset out for 204 in the 47th over and took a 33 run lead into the Second Innings.
They extended that advantage to 182 runs with seven wickets in hand with Mitchell Santner unbeaten at the crease on 70.
Santner, a 23-year-old from Northern Districts, looked comfortable again and hit his fifth First Class half century to put the New Zealand into a commanding position at the halfway stage.
The lean youngster, who made 27 in the first innings, was composed and in control throughout, hitting 11 fours and a six during his 85 ball innings.
BLACKCAPS Test opener Tom Latham also returned to the runs with a well constructed 57 that steadied the second innings for the Kiwis.
The talking point for most of the day was the performance of Wheeler.
The left armer looked dangerous from the get-go and got the first breakthrough when he trapped Johann Myburgh in front in his first over.
There was more to come as he charged in and demolished the stumps of both Tom Cooper (0) and James Hildreth (13) as the hosts struggled with his pace and subtle movement in the air and off the pitch.
In between Wheeler’s wickets Jacob Duffy, who was also on debut for New Zealand, chipped in with his first international scalp when he had opener Tom Abell caught at second slip by Mark Craig.
The young New Zealand seamers kept coming.
Wheeler claimed his fourth when Luke Ronchi took a straightforward catch in the gully to remove Jim Allenby (28). The former NZ U19 rep led the New Zealand XI off for lunch and was satisfied with his early work.
After the break Somerset showed some resistance. Peter Trego (40 from 46 balls) batted in an aggressive manner before he was caught in the deep by the third debutant in the NZXI side Santner.
With a new batsman at the crease, Watling brought Wheeler back into the attack. The medium fast pace man was frustrated for a period before he completed his five wicket bag with a delivery that scattered the stumps of Josh Davey.
Off spinner Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell and Neil Wagner all got through good bowling loads and claimed one wicket apiece with Wagner grabbing a brace.
After a testing opening day, New Zealand resumed on 202-7 and added a further 35 runs with the Somerset bowling line-up continuing their good work on their green home pitch.
Stand-in skipper BJ Watling, who was the mainstay of the New Zealand XI batting effort, departed for 65 from 125 deliveries and soon after the innings was wrapped up in the 72nd over.
Tim Groenewald, who claimed the wicket of Watling, was the best of the hosts’ bowling effort with 4 for 71 from 21 overs and then it was the Kiwis turn to respond with the ball.
Wheeler stole the show before Latham and Santner ensured day two would belong to New Zealand.
The New Zealand XI v Somerset will resume at 11am tomorrow at the Somerset County Cricket Ground in Taunton.
