Brook, Stokes, Carse put England firmly in control

England Dominate Day 3 in Christchurch

Harry Brook smashed a massive 171 as England piled up 499 in their first innings after being 71 for 4. Ben Stokes (80) and Ollie Pope (77) provided crucial support, while late cameos from Gus Atkinson (48) and Brydon Carse (33) gave England a 151-run lead.

Chris Woakes and Carse then shared six wickets between them, leaving New Zealand reeling at 155 for 6 at stumps on Day 3. Kane Williamson (61) reached the 9000-run mark in Tests, becoming the first New Zealand player to achieve the feat.

Brook and Stokes added 159 runs for the fifth wicket, with Brook dropped for the fifth time in the innings on 147. England took the lead after scoring 36 runs in five overs after taking the new ball. Brook brought up his 150 with a boundary off Tim Southee.

Stokes fell for 80, but Atkinson (48) and Carse (33) frustrated the hosts with a 63-run stand. Carse was dropped on 1, but made the most of it with three sixes and two boundaries.

New Zealand lost Tom Latham cheaply for 2 and Devon Conway for a single-digit score for the seventh time this year. Williamson and Rachin Ravindra took the hosts to tea without further loss.

Williamson reached his 37th Test 50, but was dismissed LBW by Woakes for 61. Tom Blundell continued his poor form, falling first ball. Glenn Phillips was then dismissed LBW by Carse, leaving New Zealand with an uphill task on Day 4.