New Zealand vs England, 1st Test Day 3: Highlights from Christchurch

Right then, this brings us to the conclusion of the series opener of this Crowe-Thorpe Trophy. After an immersive five day battle, it is the tourists who emerge victorious and go up in the lead by 1-0 in this 3 Test match series. New Zealand will be going back to the drawing board and assess where things went wrong. Now, the caravan moves northwards as the second Test will be played at the iconic Basin Reserve of Wellington. New Zealand will be aiming for a redemption and a equalizer while England's goal would be to seal the series right there. All the action for the second Test begins on Friday, 6th December and the first ball will be bowled at 3.30 am GMT (10 pm GMT, the previous day). Also, do not forget to join us with the pre-match analysis and the buildup an hour before. Till then, you have a plentitude of cricketing action to follow across the globe. Cheers!

Ben Stokes, the skipper of England, says that he is happy with the team's performance. Adds that a bit of luck is necessary in cricket, especially when the opposing team is dropping catches frequently. Says that he was pleased to see Brydon receiving recognition for his hard work. Further says that the advantage of having a long batting order has contributed to their success. Ends by saying that, for him, it was a precautionary measure to avoid bowling for the time being.

Tom Latham, the skipper of the New Zealand, says that they were satisfied with their position in the match, despite not achieving the desired result. Adds that if they had taken their catches, the outcome might have been different. He says that they will hope for an improved performance in the future. Ends by saying that on the first day, extending the partnerships they had would have led to a better overall result.

Brydon Carse is the Player of the Match. He says that the team performed well. Adds that the contributions of all team members were effective. He mentions the differences in the playing surface in Pakistan compared to previous conditions, highlighting that the bounce and carry of the pitch suited his bowling style.Ends by saying that he is happy with the win.

Presentations coming up...

When England's batters came to chase a modest target of 104, they quickly adopted their signature Bazball approach, aggressively chasing the target in just under 13 overs. Jacob Bethell played a standout innings, scoring a brilliant half-century.

And at the end of Day 3, Chris Woakes had three to his name while Carse too matched his senior, with New Zealand having a razor-thin lead of 4 runs. On Day 4, Brydon Carse made an early impact, claiming two quick wickets to put New Zealand on the back foot. Gus Atkinson then added to the pressure by dismissing Tim Southee, further tightening England's grip on the match. However, the last-wicket partnership between William O'Rourke and Daryl Mitchell showed some grit. Mitchell, scoring a valuable 84 runs, helped New Zealand secure a lead of 103 runs before finally falling. That gave New Zealand's bowlers a fighting chance as they looked to defend their slender lead.

With New Zealand being the victims of their own errors in the field, it was their chance to bat now. But the top order again, failed to give that foundation as Conway and Latham fell pretty early. Again, it was Kane Williamson who came to the rescue and tried to sail New Zealand out of the turbulent waters. But, he was the only one who fought a lonely battle, getting no real support from the other end, eventually falling under pressure. As a result, the Kiwis found themselves 6 wickets down on just 153. 

Just when New Zealand thought that they had the breakthrough and would run the tail after Brook’s departure, in came Gus Atkinson and courtesy of his quickfire stand with Stokes, England registered the lead. Carse too displayed his muscle power. With this, England got that much-required propulsion from the lower middle order as they ended up with a hefty lead of 151 runs. As a result, the first two sessions of Day 3 saw 242 runs being mounted, of which 180 were scored by England.  

Enter Harry Brook - the man who rode his luck like a charm. Surviving an incredible five drops, he blazed his way to 171, completely shifting the momentum. Ollie Pope too, sincerly played his part, but it was Ben Stokes who raised eyebrows with an uncharacteristically patient 80, forming crucial partnerships with Brook, although it was what the situation demanded as he kept hanging on the other end.   

Day two brought Glenn Phillips' fireworks to the crease. His fearless batting, supported by cameos from Henry and Southee, gave the Kiwi innings the push past 300. But when England took guard, they found themselves in unfamiliar waters at 71/4, with Root perishing without troubling the scorers, as Southee and Henry's probing spells sent the top order packing. Natham Smith, on debut, took two wickets in his opening over itself and importantly, the wicket of Root who went without troubling the scorers. Ben Duckett's 46 stood lonely among the ruins. 

Fate played cruel with Williamson though, denying him a well-deserved century. Then came the unexpected twist - Shoaib Bashir, on a pitch that screamed pace, spun a web around the middle order to claim four wickets. Brydon Carse matched him wicket for wicket, as New Zealand's commanding 199/3 crumbled to 252/7 before settling at 348 all out. 

Well, that is how to finish up a game in a hurry! An incredible performance that perfectly embodies the Bazball style that England are well recognized for! Day one opened with England's bold call to send New Zealand in on a green-tinged track. While they struck early, the Kiwis found their knight in shining armor - Kane Williamson, fresh from a groin injury, who orchestrated a batting masterclass. Tom Latham played his part with a solid start, but it was Williamson who stole the show, weaving four crucial partnerships that dominated the first two sessions.

12.4: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Fifty up for Jacob Bethell. Short, on off, Jacob Bethell pulls it through mid-wicket for one. England beat New Zealand by 8 wickets!

12.3: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Scores are level now! Short and wide, Jacob Bethell slaps it through backward point for a brace. He moves to 49 now!

12.2: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Shorter, on middle, Jacob Bethell ducks under it.

12.1: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, SIX! All the way! Shorter one from Nathan Smith, on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell swivels and pulls it magnificently over deep square leg as the ball sails into the stands.

Drinks! It just seems like a matter of time now as England just needs 9 runs to win this game. They have raced to 95 in just 12 overs here. New Zealand well knew this would have been the approach and they tried to stop them by bowling short balls but couldn't. 

11.6: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, Short, on off, Joe Root looks to ramp it over the keeper but misses.

11.5: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Length, on off, Jacob Bethell taps it to point for one.

11.4: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, Length, on middle, Joe Root flicks it to square leg for one.

11.3: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, SIX! All the way! What a shot! On a length and on middle, Joe Root shuffles across and heaves it magnificently over deep square leg for a biggie.

11.2: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, Short, on middle and leg, Joe Root looks to pull it but misses.

11.1: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Lands it on off, Jacob Bethell pushes it to mid off for one.

10.6: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Slower one, on middle, Jacob Bethell turns it through square leg for one. Just 18 needed now.

10.6: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Wide! A wayward bouncer, outside off, Jacob Bethell leaves. Wided.

10.5: Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Short again, Joe Root pulls it to deep square leg for one.

10.4: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Back of a length, on middle, Jacob Bethell pulls it to square leg for one.

10.3: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Well played! Short, on leg, Jacob Bethell swivels and pulls it magnificently over short fine. The fielder tries to stop it but fails as the ball races away.

10.2: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Bangs a bouncer, on middle, Jacob Bethell leaves.

10.1: Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Back of a length, on middle, Joe Root pulls it through square leg for one.

9.6: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Lands it down leg, Jacob Bethell looks to pull it but misses.

9.5: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Bangs a bouncer, on leg, Jacob Bethell ducks under it.

9.4: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, Back of a length, on middle, Joe Root pulls it through square leg for one.

9.3: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Short again, on middle, Jacob Bethell looks to pull it but gets a top edge. It flies over the keeper as the batters collect a single.

9.2: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, Short, on leg, Jacob Bethell looks to pull it but misses and is caught behind by the keeper. An appeal but the umpire is unmoved. They refer. Ultra Edge shows that it had hit his arm and the onfield decision stands NOT OUT! 

9.1: William O'Rourke to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Well played! Lands it on middle and leg, Jacob Bethell reads it well and flicks it through short fine for a boundary.

8.6: Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Full, on off, Joe Root flicks it to the fielder at mid-wicket.

8.5: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Fuller one, on off, Jacob Bethell eases it to covers for one.

8.4: Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Lands it on middle, Joe Root pulls it to mid-wicket for one.

8.4: Nathan Smith to Joe Root, Short, on off, Joe Root ducks under it. No ball called for height.

8.3: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Length, outside off, Jacob Bethell eases it to third man for one.

8.2: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Short and wide, Jacob Bethell leaves it again.

8.1: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Short, outside off, Jacob Bethell leaves it alone.

7.6: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! Three boundaries in a row for Joe Root! Short, on off, Joe Root swivels and pulls it magnificently through mid-wicket for yet another boundary.

7.5: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! This one connects well! Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root hangs back and slaps it elegantly through point for a boundary.

7.4: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, FOUR! Joe Root gets off the mark in a streaky manner. Length, outside off, Joe Root looks to drive it but edges it past the slips for a boundary.

7.3: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, Short, outside off, Joe Root looks to punch it but gets beaten.

7.2: William O'Rourke to Joe Root, On a length, angling in, Joe Root blocks it.

Joe Root is in at number 4.

7.1: William O'Rourke to Ben Duckett, OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! New Zealand get their second wicket. William O'Rourke starts from around the stumps and follows the batter as Duckett shuffles outside leg to execute the rap shot. O'Rourke bangs it hard into the surface and directs it towards the batter. Ben Duckett is cramped up for room but still goes through the ramp shot. He plays it way too closer to the body and hence, doesn't quite get the requisite power to go beyond the ropes. It flies off the bat and sails right down the throat of Matt Henry at deep third. An entertaining knock from Duckett comes to an end and William O'Rourke strikes in his first ball.

6.6: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Slower one, just around off, Jacob Bethell presses forward and stabs it to the off side.

6.5: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Into the T20 mode now! Short ball just outside off. Bethell stands tall and flat-bats it over the bowler's head for another boundary. England need just 49 runs to win now.

6.4: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! These two are making batting look so easy! Hard length and angling into the batter. Bethell makes room and whacks it over mid on for a boundary .

6.3: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, Just outside off, on a length, dabbed away to the gully region.

6.2: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Pull away powerfully! Length again from Smith, around off, Jacob Bethell stands upright and swivels to power the pull shot through deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

6.1: Nathan Smith to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Gee, that's a powerful stroke! Length ball from around the wickets, Jacob Bethell stands tall and smashes it with a flat-bat and down the ground for a cracking boundary.

Nathan Smith is into the attack now. He replaces Tim Southee.

5.6: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob Bethell taps it to covers for one.

5.6: Matt Henry to Ben Duckett, Short, on leg, Ben Duckett helps it fine for one. No ball called for height.

5.5: Matt Henry to Ben Duckett, Full, outside off, Ben Duckett looks to drive it but misses.

5.4: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Lands it outside off, Jacob Bethell looks to drive it but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Dot.

5.3: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob Bethell blocks it to short covers.

5.2: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Length, outside off, Jacob Bethell leaves it alone.

5.1: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Well played! Fuller one, on off, Jacob Bethell picks it well and drills it magnificently through mid-wicket off for a boundary.

4.6: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Well played! Short, on middle, Ben Duckett swivels and pulls it elegantly over square leg for a boundary. 16 runs off this over. England need 73 runs to win now.

4.5: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, On a length, outside off, Ben Duckett looks to drive it but misses.

4.4: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Length, outside off, Ben Duckett looks to scoop it but misses.

4.3: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Short again, on middle, Ben Duckett pulls it over square leg for a brace.

4.2: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, SIX! Ben Duckett is not wasting any time here! Short, on leg, Ben Duckett swivels and pulls it magnificently over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

4.1: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Stand and deliver stuff from Ben Duckett! Fuller one, on middle, Ben Duckett picks it well and drills it down the ground for a boundary.

3.6: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob Bethell pushes it to the cover fielder.

3.5: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, FOUR! Streaky! Lands it outside off, Jacob Bethell looks to drive it but gets a thick inside edge as the ball races past the keeper for a boundary.

3.4: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Full, on middle, Jacob Bethell eases it to mid on.

3.3: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Lands it on middle, Jacob Bethell tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

3.2: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Good length again, Jacob Bethell eases it to short covers.

3.1: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, On a length, angling in, Jacob Bethell blocks it back.

2.6: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Full, outside off, Ben Duckett guides it through short third for a brace.

2.5: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, FOUR MORE! Back to back boundaries for Ben Duckett! Lands it on middle, Ben Duckett picks it well and flicks it magnificently through mid-wicket for a boundary.

2.4: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, FOUR! Ben Duckett gets off the mark in a cheeky way! Length, outside off, Ben Duckett moves to his left and scoops it over short fine for a boundary.

2.3: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Length again, on middle, Ben Duckett blocks it to mid off.

2.2: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, On a length, on middle, Ben Duckett blocks it solidly.

2.1: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Fuller one, outside off, Ben Duckett looks to drive it but gets beaten.

1.6: Matt Henry to Jacob Bethell, Full, on off, Jacob Bethell taps it to the mid off fielder.

Jacob Bethell walks in at number 3.

1.5: Matt Henry to Zak Crawley, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! New Zealand are not going away without a fight here! Henry steams in and hits the hard length keeps the line of attack on off. Zak Crawley takes his front foot out and looks to push at it. But he gets a bit too across and plays over the line. The ball hits the inner part of his bat and it twists in his hands. Hence, the ball lobs off the willow and carries flat and straight back towards Matt Henry who takes a good sharp catch to his right. New Zealand have a breakthrough!

1.4: Matt Henry to Zak Crawley, Touch fuller, on off, Zak Crawley defends it solidly.

1.3: Matt Henry to Zak Crawley, Full, on off, Zak Crawley drives it to the fielder at mid on.

1.2: Matt Henry to Zak Crawley, Lands it on leg, Zak Crawley fends it back.

1.1: Matt Henry to Zak Crawley, Fuller one, on middle, Zak Crawley blocks it back.

Matt Henry to share the attack.

0.6: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Length, on off, Ben Duckett looks to drive it but misses.

0.5: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Oh, that was close! On a length and this shapes away a touch, Ben Duckett looks to block it but gets beaten. The ball just missed the top of off.

0.4: Tim Southee to Ben Duckett, Lands it outside off, Ben Duckett looks to drive it but misses.

0.3: Tim Southee to Zak Crawley, Zak Crawley and England and underway! Full again, on off, Zak Crawley drives it through covers for one.

0.2: Tim Southee to Zak Crawley, Fuller this time, on middle, Zak Crawley blocks it to short covers.

0.1: Tim Southee to Zak Crawley, Starts with a length ball, outside off, swinging away. Zak Crawley leaves it alone.