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. "
MJ Leach st †Blundell b Bracewell 12 (48m 40b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.00
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
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
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
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 :)"
The floodlights are suddenly kicking in
J Pearce: "Ollie Robinson must be leading contender for Player of the match at this rate!" Indeed. His first-innings bowling was exceptional
So, Anderson wasn't called upon in the first innings, but he's heading out now
OE Robinson c Nicholls b Kuggeleijn 39 (77m 48b 6x4 0x6) SR: 81.25