Stuart Broad believes New Zealand can “put the game to bed” against England on day four of the series-deciding third Test after they opened up a commanding 204-run second-innings lead.
England had started the third day with hopes of batting through and building a sizeable first-innings lead but instead stumbled from their overnight score of 223-2 to 354 all out to see New Zealand up by 84.
A blistering spell from Jofra Archer prompted the dismissal of openers Tom Latham (4) and Devon Conway (5) to reignite hope, but an important half-century from Rachin Ravindra (60no) and Daryl Mitchell’s unbeaten 26 allowed the Black Caps to consolidate an already impressive lead and end the day’s play on 120-3.
The score leaves England on the brink of a damaging series defeat, and Broad feels a good fourth day for Latham’s tourists could seal the deal.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After making England suffer for most of the day both Tom Latham and Devon Conway were removed in the space of a few balls
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Ben Sears dropped a sitter that left bowler Will O’Rourke bemused!
“New Zealand have got themselves in a pretty strong position,” Broad said on Sky Sports.
“If I’m in the England changing room, I’m thinking ‘okay there’s probably 10 deliveries in this surface that will get us out, but we’ll have to score the runs quickly to make sure those 10 balls don’t come our way’.
“I think England need it to be in and around 300, or under 300, which is a tall ask from here.
“At that stage [51-3] it looked like England were getting themselves back into this game at a rate of knots.
“Now, with New Zealand leading by 204, they’re in their changing room going ‘look guys, we get another 160, 170 with these final seven wickets, we can put this game to bed’.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jofra Archer took two early wickets in New Zealand’s second innings, reducing the visitors to 12-2
The former England seamer, though, also highlighted the Test’s venue as a possible advantage for England, with Trent Bridge being the site of an incredible run chase under Ben Stokes of 299 against the same opposition four years ago.
“You think about those famous chases – here, Headingley [358 against Australia in 2019], Edgbaston [378 against India in 2022] – none of them had this variance of bounce, but the England mindset will be that ‘we can get these runs’.
“We know Trent Bridge is a famous white-ball ground as well, where there’s been a lot of high ODI scores and a rapid outfield.
“New Zealand bowled very well today. They didn’t bowl so well yesterday afternoon, so you just have to hope that a relatively inexperienced bowling line-up turns up and you can score runs.
“Ultimately, England still need seven New Zealand wickets. They’ve still got quite a big job to do with the ball, and there’s no real point at looking at what you can chase until you get those wickets.”
Woakes: Be wary of Stokes’ England in the chase
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
England captain Ben Stokes was bowled by a beauty from Zak Foulkes
Former England seamer Chris Woakes, speaking on Sky Sports:
“England will want early wickets, absolutely.
“There’ll be just a few scars in the New Zealand team from what happened here with that big chase from Jonny Bairstow back in 2022.
“I think this is a bit of a different pitch. It’s offered a little bit more, especially in the last couple of days. I can’t see it being that easy of a chase.
“But always be wary of what an England team with Ben Stokes at the helm can do in that fourth innings.
“[New Zealand] still want to capitalise, and make this a big lead to make sure England are going to have to chase a big score.
“Ideally, from New Zealand’s point of view, you want 400. But that looks unlikely.”
England vs New Zealand – results and schedule
All times UK and Ireland, all games live on Sky Sports
Watch day four of the third Test between England and New Zealand, live on Sky Sports Cricket on Sunday from 10.15am (first ball 11am). Stream cricket and more with NOW – no contract.
