LONDON: Lord’s Test match swung back in England’s favour on the third day as the home side moved closer to victory, requiring 61 runs for a defining victory in the first Test match against New Zealand.
England skipper Ben Stokes and right-handed batter Joe Root steered their side towards a comfortable position as the pair built a strong partnership of 90 runs on the 4th wicket, frustrating New Zealand bowlers, who grabbed four early wickets in the second innings on a mere 69 runs total.
Kiwis got rid of the solid-looking pair after New Zealand medium-pacer Kyle Jamieson was able to squeeze out an edge of Stoke’s bat when he was batting at 55.
Root remained firm on the crease with 77 runs till the end of the day’s play. He along with wicket-keeper batter Ben Foakes will continue England’s second innings on 216/5 on the fourth day of the Test match.
New Zealand resumed the play on the third day at 236/4, after a brief delay due to rain. The stellar partnership of the 2nd day between Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell failed to resist the agonizing pace of England’s bowlers on a new day. Mitchell scored his second test hundred while Blundell fell four runs short of a ton.
England’s top-notch pacer Stuard Broad dismissed Mitchell as the ball sneaked through his bat into Foakes’ gloves. The all-rounder played a glittering knock of 108 runs including 12 boundaries.
The Black-caps completely jittered after the dismissal as the remaining five wickets could only add 35 runs to the total. New Zealand were all out on 285 runs in their second innings
Broad and rookie Mathew Potts remained the top wicket-takers for England in the second innings as both took three wickets each. Anderson was successful in dismissing two Kiwi batters while the leg-break bowler Mathew Parkinson also had a wicket at his disposal.
England were forced a shaky start by the Kiwi bowlers as Jamieson and left-arm pacer Trent Boult dislodged the hosts’ top order. Jamieson starred for New Zealand as he grabbed four wickets in the second innings.
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