Woakes-Carse share spoils as England inch towards win in Christchurch
After Harry Brook and Ben Stokes extended England’s first innings advantage with the bat, the two pacers struck thrice each to put the visitors in the driving seat at Stumps on Day 3.
Trailing by 151 runs as they began their second innings, New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals as England maintained an advantage in the first of three Tests between the two nations.
As Saturday’s play came to an end, the hosts were toiling at 155/6, holding a mere four-run lead with two days of play left in Christchurch.
Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse produced breakthroughs early on in the third innings of the Test, getting rid of the two Black Caps openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway with the new ball.
With Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson looking to forge a partnership, Carse removed the former with a short ball to keep the momentum in England’s favor.
Williamson, who was New Zealand’s highest-run scorer in the first innings, scored another half-century in the second before succumbing to Woakes, who snapped two wickets off two deliveries to reduce the hosts to five wickets down.
Towards the end of the day’s play, Carse struck again, this time getting the wicket of Glenn Phillips, another New Zealand half-centurion from the first innings.
Earlier, Harry Brook (171) and Ben Stokes (80) resumed the England innings, and added to their totals from Day 2 – putting together 159 runs for the sixth wicket stand.
Just as New Zealand seem to be marking a comeback, England’s lower order stitched in with handy contributions – Gus Atkinson (48) and Brydon Carse (33).
For the hosts, Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers, with four wickets from the innings including those of Brook and Stokes.