England inch closer to wrapping up Christchurch Test against New Zealand | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: A relentless pace attack from Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, following an aggressive batting display, positioned England to secure victory in the first Test as day three concluded in Christchurch on Saturday.
At stumps, New Zealand stood at 155-6, leading by only four runs with four wickets remaining. Daryl Mitchell remained unbeaten on 31, accompanied by Nathan Smith on one.
England’s first innings total of 499, establishing a commanding 151-run advantage, featured Harry Brook’s 171, alongside contributions from Ben Stokes (80), Ollie Pope (77), and valuable additions from Gus Atkinson (48) and Carse (33).
England’s pacers struck early as New Zealand’s resistance crumbled, with Tom Latham caught by Brook off Woakes for one in the third over. Devon Conway departed for eight, miscuing a pull shot off Carse to Atkinson at mid-on, leaving New Zealand struggling at 23-2.
Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra constructed a 41-run partnership before Ravindra fell for 24, caught by Jacob Bethell at mid-wicket whilst attempting to pull Carse.
Woakes returned to dismiss Williamson and Tom Blundell in consecutive deliveries, finishing with 3-39. Williamson, having reached his second half-century of the match, was trapped lbw for 61. Blundell edged his first ball, though Glenn Phillips survived the hat-trick delivery.
Phillips reached 19 before falling lbw to Carse, who finished with 3-22. The decision stood after review, with ball-tracking showing it clipping the bails.
England, resuming at 319-5, scored briskly at six runs per over before being dismissed after lunch.
Brook’s outstanding innings rescued England from 71-4, despite benefiting from five dropped catches by New Zealand. Although New Zealand dropped two more catches on day three, they successfully held five.
Brook acknowledged his fortune, particularly when Phillips dropped him on 147, adding to previous reprieves on 18, 41, 70, and 106. He celebrated his 150 by driving Tim Southee to the cover boundary.
His innings, containing 15 fours and three sixes, ended via Matt Henry’s bowling, caught by Blundell. Woakes departed for one, caught by Latham at second slip, whilst Atkinson’s entertaining knock concluded with Phillips catching at long leg.
Henry led New Zealand’s bowling with 4-84, whilst Smith claimed 3-141.