NZ on the brink following Kane Williamson’s 156

New Zealand Retain Command Over Third Test

New Zealand's Kane Williamson scored a crucial 156 as the team set a massive target of 658 for England, who lost their openers by the end of the day.

Key Partnerships

• Williamson and Rachin Ravindra stitched together a useful partnership worth 107 runs.
• Williamson and Daryl Mitchell added 92 runs to the total.

England's Struggles

• England were hampered by the absence of skipper Ben Stokes, who left the field clutching his left hamstring.
• England were bowler short, which allowed New Zealand to dig in and grind out the attack.

Williamson's Innings

• Williamson survived a close LBW shout and saw a couple of miscues fly over the fielder's head.
• He brought up his hundred with a six straight down the ground of Jacob Bethell.
• Williamson continued a successful tour on the personal front with two fifties previously.

Ravindra's Wicket

• Ravindra fell trying to whip Matthew Potts, getting a leading edge to midoff.

Mitchell's Fifty

• Mitchell found a way to keep the big shots going and helped himself to a fifty enroute.
• He eventually fell trying to hit Jacob Bethell down the ground.

England's Second Innings

• England lost both their openers by the end of the day.
• Ben Duckett was dismissed by Matt Henry, and Zak Crawley was trapped LBW by the same bowler.

Brief Scores

• New Zealand 347 (Mitchell Santner 76, Tom Latham 63) and 453 (Kane Williamson 156, Will Young 60, Daryl Mitchell 60) lead England 143 (Joe Root 32, Ben Stokes 27) & 18/2 by 640 runs.