Ali Martin is here with his report of a fantastic day three for England at Hagley Oval:
Stumps: New Zealand by 4 runs
49th over: New Zealand 155-6 (Mitchell 31, Smith 1) A quiet end to a marvellous day for England, who look set to continue Test cricket’s winter of the unexpected. They are in a great position to beat New Zealand who beat India who beat Bangladesh who beat Pakistan who beat England.
Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, aka Chalk and Cheese, took three wickets apiece to reduce New Zealand to 155 for 6 on what remains a pretty good pitch. There were some poor shots but also some brilliant deliveries, most notably the beautiful nipbacker from Woakes to dismiss an ominous looking Kane Williamson for 61.
Carse – if only Tony Greig was still with us to commentate on him – also hit three sixes in an unbeaten 33 that helped England to 499 all out. Ben Stokes made 80, equalling his highest score since the Lord’s Ashes rampage of 2023, and Gus Atkinson pumped 48 from only 36 balls.
