New Zealand v. England. Tests

[Donny]

Caps 6/321.

Watling 80*.

[Pies4shaw]

NZ have the lead and Watling has his 100. 6/364.

[Pies4shaw]

Stumps on day 3. NZ 6/394. That’s a 41 run first innings lead. Watling is unbeaten on 119 and Santner on 31.

[Pies4shaw]

As the players came out this morming, the Barmy Army sang an appalling rendition of Chuck Parry's setting of Blake's "Jerusalem".

For the prevention of further damage to onlookers' central nervous systems, I encourage the NZ ground authorities to play this on continuous repeat, instead, very loudly to drown them out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9TbiIEpZJ8

[Pies4shaw]

It’s been hard going this morning but NZ just brought up the 400. 6/402. It’s interesting watching the English bowling in these conditions - Broad and Archer look hopeless. I know it’s the 150th over of the innings and all that but Archer is making Stoinis look sharp.

[Pies4shaw]

Santner has his 50 (from 170 miserable deliveries), Watling is still there on 133, England have their 3rd new ball, Leach is bowling quicker than Archer (who seems to be trying to bowl at a pace that will attract grip and turn) - and NZ are 80 in front. 6/433.

Meanwhile, Curran’s inability to land the ball anywhere sensible on the pitch is being blamed by the English commentator on the fact that “the wind isn’t right.” They’re now showing a wind direction graphic....

[Pies4shaw]

NZ have lost 2/318 since their 4th wicket fell. They might yet reach the par score of 700 that I suggested for this wicket (but they’ll probably declare before that).

6/445.

What is fascinating is that England has just been very defensive all morning, hoping that the batsmen will give their wickets away rather than bat on against such tedious bowling. NZ seems to understand that they need to take a bit more time out of the game, so that England can’t win. NZ creeping up on 450, now.

[Pies4shaw]

Archer hits Watling in the helmet - a glancing blow. The only man ever to hit a Test century at this venue responds with a slashing square cut for 4.

That’s lunch. 0/58 in 30 overs this morning. Watling is 148 and Santner is 55. 6/452 from 171 overs.

[Pies4shaw]

NZ have the 100 lead, just after Lunch on Day 4 - 6/453.

[Pies4shaw]

Watling makes his first 150 in a Test. He’s 152*, Santner is 57*. NZ is 6/458.

[Pies4shaw]

150 partnership up. NZ 6/468. Santner into the 60s.

[Pies4shaw]

Archer has 0/102. The bowler’s equivalent of a chanceless century?

[Pies4shaw]

Santner has his top Test score, now. He’s 74*, Watling is 158*. 6/482.

[Pies4shaw]

NZ 6/505. Watling 166*, Santner 89*. The lead is over 150

[Pies4shaw]

There’s the 200 partnership. Santner celebrates with a 6. He’s 98*. Watling is 170*. 6/523.