Player of the Match
Player of the Match

7.21pm So, a 20-minute injection lifts that lead up to an imposing 393. It's a lot of runs to hunt down, and the light is beginning to fade fast. We've got a ten-minute turnaround, then England can get cracking with the new pink ball. Nine double-figure scores suggest that this pitch is still playing pretty true, as well it might on the third afternoon. But let's see how New Zealand fare tonight. Get through it relatively unscathed and there's a fascinating day four to come.

Eye of Sauron: "Only the 6th time in test history that at least 8 batsmen have scored 25 or more in the 3rd innings of a test match. The last such instance came in July 1980, also by England, against the Windies at Manchester. "

73.5
W
Bracewell to Leach, OUT, a slog and a miss! Bracewell serves up the same doozy that did for Stokes... more air, more dip, ample turn, beats a wild swipe for Blundell to whip off the bails. England's batting is done

MJ Leach st †Blundell b Bracewell 12 (48m 40b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.00

73.4
3
Bracewell to Anderson, 3 runs, bottom-handed clip off the pads, and that's another long chase for Nicholls to deep midwicket.
73.3
0
Bracewell to Anderson, no run, flicked off the toes out to midwicket
73.2
1
Bracewell to Leach, 1 run, on the pads, and tucked to the on side
73.1
1
Bracewell to Anderson, 1 run, works the single to hand back the strike

END OF OVER:
73 | 6 Runs | ENG: 369/9

  • Jack Leach11 (38b)
  • James Anderson2 (9b)
  • Scott Kuggeleijn14-1-81-2
  • Michael Bracewell19-2-63-2
72.6
0
Kuggeleijn to Leach, no run, right back and across, full face of the blade presented back down the pitch
72.5
0
Kuggeleijn to Leach, no run, banged in short and ducked
72.4
4
Kuggeleijn to Leach, FOUR, Sanath Jayasur-leach-ya! Rocks back, and upper-cuts majestically out through deep cover! Blazing strokeplay to join his team-mates in double figures (well, most of them...)
72.3
0
Kuggeleijn to Leach, no run, sharp lifter, fended wide of short leg. Leach is pushed back by a well-directed short ball, not in control of that one
72.2
0
Kuggeleijn to Leach, no run, bouncer, Leach ducks
72.1
2
Kuggeleijn to Leach, 2 runs, flipped off the hip, good measured stroke to meet the leg-sided line

END OF OVER:
72 | 5 Runs | ENG: 363/9

  • James Anderson2 (9b)
  • Jack Leach5 (32b)
  • Michael Bracewell19-2-63-2
  • Scott Kuggeleijn13-1-75-2

Alan: "Anderson and Leach only need to be out there, risking injury, because of the overly cavalier approach by the batting specialists..." That is one way of looking at it, yes

71.6
0
Bracewell to Anderson, no run, cracked off the back foot into the covers
71.5
0
Bracewell to Anderson, no run, slog-sweep this time, but that's a fine delivery, turn and bounce over the blade and past off stump
71.4
0
Bracewell to Anderson, no run, lining up the favoured reverse sweep, but not there for the stroke this time
71.3
0
Bracewell to Anderson, no run, skids through outside off, misses his cut

Bruce : "Not sure if Robinson's 4 for trumps Blundell's ton ...." I guess it might come down to which one repeats the dose in the fourth innings

71.2
2
Bracewell to Anderson, 2 runs, crashed off the back foot, out to deep cover and Anderson is off the mark in flamboyant style
71.1
3
Bracewell to Leach, 3 runs, whipped eagerly off the pads, out to acres of space at deep midwicket. Nicholls has a long chase to retrieve inside the rope

END OF OVER:
71 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | ENG: 358/9

  • James Anderson0 (4b)
  • Jack Leach2 (31b)
  • Scott Kuggeleijn13-1-75-2
  • Michael Bracewell18-2-58-2

Major Tom: "Jack Leach ... 2 ... from 31 balls ... I'm ... I'm just saying ... memories :)"

70.6
0
Kuggeleijn to Anderson, no run, another one climbs through to the keeper from back of a length as Anderson hops to the off side to evade
70.5
0
Kuggeleijn to Anderson, no run, over the wicket, targetting the ribs, Anderson flinches inside the line

The floodlights are suddenly kicking in

70.4
0
Kuggeleijn to Anderson, no run, round the wicket, hitting an awkward length, fenced towards the lurking short leg

J Pearce: "Ollie Robinson must be leading contender for Player of the match at this rate!" Indeed. His first-innings bowling was exceptional

70.3
0
Kuggeleijn to Anderson, no run, hops into line to defend

So, Anderson wasn't called upon in the first innings, but he's heading out now

70.2
W
Kuggeleijn to Robinson, OUT, attempts an expansive ramp-come-pull over the leg side, takes the glove as Robinson tumbles across to the off-side, and slip accepts a looping offering. Robinson's fun is over... and the chase draws ever closer

OE Robinson c Nicholls b Kuggeleijn 39 (77m 48b 6x4 0x6) SR: 81.25

New Zealand 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st14DP ConwayTWM Latham
2nd0KS WilliamsonTWM Latham
3rd5TWM LathamHM Nicholls
4th8DJ MitchellHM Nicholls
5th1DJ MitchellTA Blundell
6th40MG BracewellDJ Mitchell
7th3DJ MitchellSC Kuggeleijn
8th0TG SoutheeDJ Mitchell
9th20N WagnerDJ Mitchell
10th35DJ MitchellBM Tickner