England tightened their grip on the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch, leaving the hosts in deep trouble by the end of Day 3. New Zealand stumbled to 155 for six in their second innings, leading by just four runs, as Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse dismantled the Black Caps’ batting order.

Harry Brook’s majestic 171 anchors England’s dominance

The day began with Harry Brook continuing his masterclass from the previous evening. Resuming on 132, Brook showcased a mix of elegance and aggression, crafting 171 off 197 balls. His innings featured 15 fours and three towering sixes, cementing his role as England’s linchpin. Brook found an able partner in captain Ben Stokes, who contributed a gritty 80 to further strengthen England’s dominance.

New Zealand’s woes in the field only added to their struggles. Five dropped catches allowed England to pile on a commanding first-innings total of 499, securing a crucial 151-run lead. Lower-order contributions proved vital, with Gus Atkinson smashing a quick-fire 48 off 36 balls and Carse remaining unbeaten on 33, frustrating the New Zealand bowlers.

Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse shine as New Zealand collapse

In the second innings, New Zealand’s batting faltered against England’s disciplined bowling attack. Tom Latham (1) and Devon Conway (8) departed cheaply before tea, putting the hosts under immense pressure. Kane Williamson stood as the lone warrior, crafting a sublime 61 and completing 9,000 runs in Test cricket. However, his resistance ended when Woakes trapped him lbw, delivering a double blow by dismissing Tom Blundell for a golden duck in the same over.

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Glenn Phillips attempted to steady the innings with a brief knock of 19 but was undone by Carse, who struck with precision to have him lbw. At stumps, Daryl Mitchell (31*) and debutant Nathan Smith (1*) were tasked with salvaging New Zealand’s innings.

England’s bowlers were exceptional, with Woakes (3 for 39) and Carse (3 for 22) exploiting the conditions masterfully. Their consistent line and length left New Zealand struggling to find answers.

As Day 4 approaches, New Zealand face an uphill battle to avoid a crushing defeat. Mitchell and Smith will need to dig deep if the Black Caps are to mount a comeback against a confident and well-rounded England side.

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