New Zealand vs England Live Score, 1st Test: Day 3

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell, Length ball, outside off, Daryl Mitchell leaves it alone.

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell, Back of a length, on top of off, Daryl Mitchell gets taken aback by that extra bounce off the surface and fends it to the gully region.

Ben Stokes to Daryl Mitchell, A loosener from Stokes to start things off. Sprays it way down leg on a length, Daryl Mitchell misses to flick and the keeper collects it behind the wickets.

All in readiness! It is sunny in Christchurch as the two umpires walk out. Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith are the overnight batters for New Zealand. The English players spread out to the fielding positions and it will be Ben Stokes (2-0-9-0) to kick off the proceedings of Day 4. Here we go...

Join us as we witness how this drama unfolds. Will New Zealand come up with something special and find a way as they have done a few times in the past? Or will England wrap it up soon and take a lead? Let’s enjoy what promises to be an exhilarating game of Test cricket!

Daryl Mitchell stands as the last real hope for New Zealand, currently unbeaten on 31 after a gritty 99-ball effort. Their performance, especially in the field has pushed them into a corner and from here on, they will have only one plan in mind - Bat, bat and bat. Survival will be on their agenda, especially in the morning session and it's going to be a tough fight for them. 

Chris Woakes has bounced back brilliantly, claiming three wickets, including a near hat-trick, while Brydon Carse added another three to keep the pressure on the Kiwi batters. Despite a few tough calls that went against them, New Zealand's fight was embodied by Kane Williamson, who scored a vital 61 runs and made history as the first New Zealander to reach 9000 Test runs.

The hosts have only themselves to blame for their current position, with their fielding performance falling well below international standards. Their costly errors were particularly evident in their handling of Harry Brook, who should have been dismissed on day two itself. Instead, they granted him not just one, but five separate chances, all of which he capitalized on significantly and took the game from the scruff of their necks. As a result, Brook formed two centurion partnerships first with Pope and then with Stokes. 

After three days of action where momentum shifted from one corner to corner, England's exceptional work has handed them the advantage and now they are in a position to call the shots. Saturday was dominated completely by England in all facets, be it batting, bowling or fielding. Harry Brook’s 171 followed by Stokes’ 80 and then that crucial propulsion by the tailenders, helped England to breach past and post a broad lead of 151 runs. They are firmly in control with New Zealand hanging by a thread.

There's a timeless romance about Test cricket on Sundays, a sporting interest that echoes through generations. They say Test cricket is an ultimate test of patience and character, and on this serene Sunday, we're perfectly poised to witness of what is inevitable. So whether you're joining us from your garden, your favorite armchair sipping your favourite beverages, we welcome you all to our coverage of Day 4 in this series opener. 

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

So what to expect from Day 4 then? In all practicality, a result on Sunday looks quite inevitable now. Even if New Zealand survives for the first session, they will have to make sure that they build on the lead significantly. With them being just 4 runs ahead, it will require something out of the box to do so. But they can take the leaf out of England's book where the lower middle order chipped in with handy contributions. However, with the top order failing to provide that strong foundation, there's an increased strain on the lower order to do the heavy-lifting and this task appears even more mountainous. But, there's an age-old saying that cricket is a sport of uncertainties. Day 4 begins on Sunday, December 1st, Sunday and the first ball will be bowled at 10 pm GMT (the previous day). And as always, you can join us for the buildup. Till then, cheers!

England's aggressive batting earlier in the day proved decisive, as they not only extended their lead but also benefited from vital lower-order contributions which also provided that extra push to their total. Their comprehensive performance with both bat and ball allowed them to maintain a firm grip on the match, putting New Zealand under constant pressure. England has now dominated two days on the trot in this Hagley Oval Test.

Despite the pitch easing up with minimal movement, England's bowlers excelled by maintaining disciplined lines and lengths and just doing the basics correctly, occasionally getting the odd-ball to move away or jag back in. Chris Woakes, after drawing a blank in the first innings, found his rhythm on this surface that demanded precision and application, working in tandem with Carse to dismantle the top and the middle order. For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell survived the day as the lone warrior after Kane Williamson's dismissal on 61.

Williamson found strong support in Daryl Mitchell, and together they forged a valuable 69-run partnership that stabilized things for a brief phase and also significantly reduced the deficit. But Ben Stokes proved tactically astute with his bowling changes, and Williamson's dismissal triggered a double blow. Suddenly, New Zealand found themselves back in survival mode, scrambling to rebuild once again, slipping from 133/3 to 153/6 in the last 10-odd overs.

As the final session began, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra attempted to stabilize the innings following the early loss of both openers, with a substantial deficit still looming. Just as their partnership began to shine like a beacon of hope for New Zealand, Brydon Carse intervened, dismantling the promising 41-run third-wicket stand. Williamson, however, remained composed amid the turmoil at the opposite end, crafting shots with his characteristic elegance and also notched up a gritty fifty.

STUMPS, DAY 3 - Session Summary - 31 Overs, 92 Runs, 4 Wickets. A job well done by England today, first, dominating the morning session with the bat and then replicating the same with the ball in the next two sessions or so. Overall, a thoroughly commanding day for the tourists at business.

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, Nathan Smith survives the last ball of the day as well. On a length and down leg, Nathan Smith flicks it to the left of the keeper. That will be STUMPS on Day 3.

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, On a hard length and outside off, Nathan Smith punches it to the fielder at short covers.

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, Hits the deck hard and bowls it on middle and leg, Nathan Smith tucks it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, Back of a length, on middle, Nathan Smith stays deep in his crease and blocks it back to the bowler.

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, Shorter again, on middle, Nathan Smith ducks underneath it. 

Gus Atkinson to Nathan Smith, Touch short and down leg, Nathan Smith leaves it alone.

Brydon Carse to Daryl Mitchell, Back of a length, just outside off, Daryl Mitchell hops a bit and blocks it to short covers.

Brydon Carse to Daryl Mitchell, Hits the deck hard and keeps it on middle, Daryl Mitchell blocks it back soldily.

Brydon Carse to Daryl Mitchell, Short, on off, Daryl Mitchell ducks under it.

Brydon Carse to Daryl Mitchell, Touch short, on off, Daryl Mitchell stands tall and blocks it.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Nathan Smith tucks it to square leg for one.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, On a length and on middle, Nathan Smith blocks it solidly.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Slower one, outside off, Daryl Mitchell leaves it alone.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Good length, angling in, Daryl Mitchell eases it to mid off. Oh, it's a No Ball for overstepping. This is the seventh No Ball so far from England in this innings.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, On a length, on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell tucks it to the mid-wicket fielder.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Too full, on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell blocks it back to the bowler.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Goes fuller, on middle, Daryl Mitchell blocks it back.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Bangs a bouncer, on off, Daryl Mitchell leaves.

Gus Atkinson to Daryl Mitchell, Length, on middle and leg, Daryl Mitchell blocks it back.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, Lands it outside off, Nathan Smith shoulders arms.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, Good length, just outside off, Nathan Smith blocks it soldily.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, On a length and on middle and leg, Nathan Smith blocks it back.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, Short, on middle, Nathan Smith ducks under it.

Nathan Smith walks in.

Brydon Carse to Glenn Phillips, OUT! LBW! Brydon Carse strikes yet again and registers his third wicket. Unlucky for Glenn Phillips! Bashes on a length and keeps the line of attack on middle and leg. It is that odd one that jags back in a touch off the surface. Glenn Phillips is caught off-guard and looks to block it, but he is cramped up for room and just brings his bat in front. Ends up playing over the line and the ball rams into his front pad. A loud appeal and the finger goes up after a while. Glenn Phillips goes upstairs to have a look. Fair delivery to begin with, and UltraEdge shows no spike when the ball passes close to the bat. Ball Tracking shows that it is just clipping the bails of the leg stump on the umpire's call. Glenn Phillips cannot believe and just stands numb before a slow walk back to the dressing room. New Zealand are now 153/6, leading by just 2 runs!

Brydon Carse to Glenn Phillips, On a length, on off, Glenn Philips blocks it to mid off.

Shoaib Bashir to Daryl Mitchell, Full and tossed up outside off. Mitchell prods forward and defends it back to the bowler.

Shoaib Bashir to Daryl Mitchell, Floated up, and tossed up outside off. Mitchell gets forward and blocks it.

Shoaib Bashir to Glenn Phillips, Excellent fielding by Zak Crawley in the deep. Length delivery, just outside off. Phillips hangs back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket. Crawley from deep backward square leg runs to his left and puts in a full-stretched dive to cut it off before the ropes. Three taken. And New Zealand is in the lead now. 2 runs ahead.

Shoaib Bashir to Glenn Phillips, Nice and full, floated up, on middle, Glenn Phillips leans on and works it out to mid on.

Shoaib Bashir to Glenn Phillips, Pitched on middle, slipping down the leg, Glenn Phillips rocks back and pulls it to deep fine for a couple of runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Glenn Phillips, Tossed up, pushed through, on a length, drifting on the pads, Glenn Phillips tucks it to square leg.

Brydon Carse to Daryl Mitchell, On a hard length, angling in, Daryl Mitchell is solid in his defence.