3rd Test
Day-3 Highlights:
Kane Williamson has played a brilliant knock of 156 runs on Day-3
At The Stumps of Day-3:
New Zealand scored 347 (1st Innings) and 453 (2nd Innings), where as England scored 143 (1st Innings) & 18/2 (2nd Innings).
So, finally New Zealand lead by 640 runs.
Kane Williamson scored 156 as New Zealand maintained firm control in the third Test, setting a massive target of 658 for England, who lost both their openers by the end of the day.
Williamson, who registered his 33rd Test century, was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s innings, forging crucial partnerships of 107 with Rachin Ravindra (44) and 92 with Daryl Mitchell (60).
These contributions stretched New Zealand’s lead past 500, adding to England’s challenges in the face of an unwavering batting display.
England were further hindered by the absence of captain Ben Stokes, who left the field midway through his 13th over due to a left hamstring issue, leaving the team a bowler short.
New Zealand capitalized on the situation, with Williamson and Ravindra setting the tone early.
Williamson survived a close LBW shout and a couple of miscues against Shoaib Bashir’s off-spin but remained composed, bringing up his century with a six straight down the ground off Jacob Bethell.
This marked his seventh Test ton at Seddon Park, including an unprecedented five consecutive centuries at the ground, continuing a successful tour for him with two fifties prior.
Ravindra, searching for form, played risk-free cricket and provided perfect support for Williamson.
However, just as Ravindra started to get going, he was dismissed against the run of play, edging a whip off Matthew Potts to mid-off.
Undeterred, Williamson, now past 100, became more proactive, increasing his attack on the spinners and racing to 150.
He eventually fell top-edging a sweep off Bashir to fine leg as the second new ball loomed.
England responded with defensive fields, but Mitchell continued to find ways to strike, reaching fifty before falling to a catch off Jacob Bethell for the left-arm spinner’s maiden Test wicket.
Mitchell Santner contributed with a powerful 49 down the order, while Tom Blundell supported him as England introduced part-time bowlers.
Joe Root gave away over 20 runs in his first over but got Santner caught, paving the way for Tim Southee, playing his final Test.
England welcomed Southee with a guard of honour, but the innings quickly ended, with Bethell taking successive wickets of Southee (caught at long-on) and Matt Henry.
With a daunting target ahead, England’s chase began disastrously as they lost both openers in the final period before stumps.
Ben Duckett, having hit Southee for a boundary, was bowled out in the same over.
Zak Crawley survived an LBW appeal from Matt Henry on review, but Henry struck again, trapping him in front to leave New Zealand with a commanding advantage as the third day concluded.
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