England were on course for victory in the first Test against New Zealand after Chris Woakes’ crucial two wickets in two balls on the third day in Christchurch yesterday.
The tourists had built a first-innings lead of 151 and threatened to overrun the Kiwis by reducing them to 64-3 before Kane Williamson launched a rescue act.
Williamson looked immovable and ominous for his 61, only for Woakes to deliver a potentially decisive blow. A nip-backer earned a marginal lbw decision and, next ball, Tom Blundell feathered to Ollie Pope. When Brydon Carse got his third wicket, Glenn Phillips lbw, New Zealand were left 155-6, just four runs ahead.
The Black Caps are in a mess of their own making. They took their total of dropped catches to eight with another two on Saturday.
Harry Brook was put down for a fifth time on his way to 171, the highest score by an overseas batter in a Test at Hagley Oval.
His average of 89.40 in away Tests is bettered only by Sir Donald Bradman. Brook added 159 with Ben Stokes, the England captain’s 80 his best in Test cricket since the summer of 2023.
Scores:
New Zealand: 348 (Williamson 93, Phillips 58 n.o., Carse 4-64, Bashir 4-69) and 155 for 6 (Mitchell 31 n.o., Smith 1 n.o.)
England: 499 (Brook 171, Stokes 80, Pope 77, Henry 4-84)
(BBC sport)
