3rd day of Test
If the first day was too eventful – and the second not eventful enough – the third produced classic Test match cricket.
New Zealand went on to score a more than defensible target of 265.
England were never favourites with the bookies to achieve this and much depended on the Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes axis.
Stokes can count himself lucky as he was halfway back to the pavilion when the ball that dismissed him was called a no ball.
I always thought the more composed Joe Root was the batter we would not want to lose.
England now are favourites at 1-5 with the Kiwis 3-1 but should Root be dismissed then it may be too much for the tail enders.
Add to this the possibility of some rain and it’s an intriguing fourth day.
This weakens the argument for a 4 day Test as you always need a fifth day for the weather.
Even if England win it’s less of a blank canvas and more of “back to the drawing board”. England have problems in the batting line up at 1, 2, 3 and 8 and need to get the injured bowlers back plus find a match-winning spinner.
