Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 60 settled New Zealand's second innings as they reached 120-3 at stumps on day three of the third Test at Trent Bridge, stretching their overall lead to 204 runs. England had earlier been bowled out for 354 in their first innings, losing their last eight wickets for 130 runs after trailing by 84 runs on first innings.
Pitch conditions change dramatically
The nature of the pitch lurched significantly on a gripping third day. Gone was the road from which the ball repeatedly raced across the parched outfield during the first two days. In its place – influenced by a slight drop in temperature and some cloud cover – was a more capricious strip of earth offering lateral movement and inconsistent bounce, leading to 11 wickets falling.
England's Jofra Archer provided early hope for the hosts after tea, removing New Zealand's two first-innings centurions in Tom Latham and Devon Conway. Archer trapped Latham plumb lbw sixth ball and then cracked Conway on the back of the helmet before teasing an edge to slip with extra zip off a length.
England's batting collapse
England's first innings collapse began in the opening exchanges when Nathan Smith dismissed Joe Root for 21, pinned lbw with Tom Blundell standing up to the stumps. Will O'Rourke then removed Jacob Bethell for 74 as the left-hander poked at a ball sliding across him. Smith also removed Jamie Smith to make it three wickets inside the first half-hour.
Zak Foulkes, who replaced the concussed Blair Tickner, proved game-changing. He bowled captain Ben Stokes for 15, the ball jagging in significantly from around the wicket and beating an expansive drive. Harry Brook made the slowest half-century of his Test career, scoring 58 from 80 balls, before Foulkes rattled his off-stump after lunch.
There were some slapstick moments, including repeat stoppages to fix a problem with the run-ups at the Stuart Broad End and Ben Sears grassing a dolly of a catch at mid-on off Gus Atkinson. But Nathan Smith, O'Rourke and Foulkes ensured that miss counted for little with a proficient mop-up job as England were dismissed for 354.
New Zealand's steady response
New Zealand could easily have been rattled when Archer fired up in response, but even with Atkinson getting another ball to rise and nick off Henry Nicholls for 16, Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell chiselled away for an unbroken 69-run stand. Ravindra was in princely form, moving fluently from the outset and forcing the field to spread with early boundaries before England managed to apply the brakes.
By the close, New Zealand had stretched their lead to 204 for the loss of just one more wicket. Ravindra finished 60 not out, with Mitchell on 26, repelling everything England threw at them. They will have the chance to put their side within touching distance of a 2-1 series win on day four.
What England need on day four
England's leadership team, in desperate need of a series win, face a tough task. What Stokes and his team need on day four are seven more wickets and for another lurch in conditions come the chase. New Zealand, having lost Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson before this decider and then Blair Tickner to concussion on day two, have shown resourcefulness and spirit to put themselves in a dominant position.
