Southee about to start, with Shan Masood on strike

Osama: "How's the pitch holding up, could good batting make this competitive?" --- We have seen, most recently in the New Zealand second innings, that you can get runs at a decent rate once you get your eye in. They must take inspiration from what Latham and Blundell were able to do

3.18 pm Right, with about 22 minutes or so to tea, New Zealand take the field. The Pakistan openers are about to make their way to the middle to join them

Tushar Radke: "I remember a test in India when Dion Nash took 6/27 and bowled India out for 83 on the first morning. NZ was restricted to 215 and India followed with 505/3 dec leaving NZ 374 to chase in 135 overs. NZ put up one of the most dogged rearguards I had seen until then to finish 251/7 in 135 overs. Different circumstances, similar ask." --- Yes, Sachin Tendulkar's first Test as captain during his second stint in 1999

Mark: "@George Macphers: embarrassing is India getting bowled out for 36. Losing quick wickets chasing runs when you have a lead of over 350 is certainly not embarrassing. It's called trying to progress the game and get a win. It's actually commendable imho." --- Yes, as a declaration, this is absolutely perfect. They can't do anything if there's a weather-induced impact, but that's not in their hands anyway

Gawain k: "Interesting dec. 372 . Perhaps wants few overs before tea . 400. Would seem more psychological target but still runs in the board and plenty time for Pakistan to chase " --- Yes, on a pitch like this, you don't want the opposition to completely ignore the possibility of chasing the total down. The more they try and score from time to time, the more your chances of picking wickets.

Caleb: "The test would most likely be in a very different situation without that santner run out yesterday. I think we wouldn't be talking about a declaration quite yet" --- Oh, absolutely. Turned the Pakistan innings around in a big way, because Rizwan and Faheem were looking quite comfortable, with the softer ball and easing conditions. Who knows where that partnership could have taken the visiting side?

3. 09pm And that is that, as Williamson calls them in. This means Pakistan need 373 to win this, or survive 136 overs to draw this game.

"This Pakistan team cannot contain run-rate, cannot take wickets, cannot effect run-outs and cannot bat. Is this a team or just a random congregation of 11 people?" --- I can assure you, amer, that every cricket fan has gone through moments of existential crisis in this fashion about their team of choice. Perhaps across all sport