November 30, 2024: On Day 3 of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse played key roles in restricting New Zealand’s progress, giving England a firm grip on the match. By the end of the day, New Zealand were 155/6 in their second innings, with a slender four-run lead, but still trailing England by 151 runs.
Starting their second innings, New Zealand had a daunting task ahead, as they were already 151 runs behind England’s mammoth total of 499. Early breakthroughs by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse left them in trouble. The hosts lost both openers — Tom Latham and Devon Conway — to the new ball, giving England a strong foothold in the game.
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson looked to steady the ship, but Carse, bowling aggressively, got rid of Ravindra with a short ball, keeping the pressure firmly on the Kiwis. Williamson, who had been New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in the first innings with 93 runs, continued his form and notched up another half-century. However, Woakes struck back, dismissing Williamson in quick succession, taking two wickets off consecutive deliveries, reducing New Zealand to 5 down.
As the day drew to a close, Carse struck once more, removing Glenn Phillips, another key player for New Zealand who had scored 58 runs in the first innings. With Phillips’ departure, New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position, still needing 150 more runs to avoid a defeat.
Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings with Harry Brook and Ben Stokes at the crease. The pair continued from where they left off on Day 2, adding 159 runs for the sixth-wicket partnership. Brook, who had been in fine form, finished with a splendid 171* — an innings that helped England post a commanding total of 499 runs. Stokes, always a key figure for England, contributed 80 runs to the cause.
As New Zealand seemed to threaten a comeback with some tight bowling, England’s lower order provided invaluable contributions. Gus Atkinson (48) and Brydon Carse (33) helped England extend their lead, ensuring they built a sizeable total. For New Zealand, Matt Henry was the standout bowler, picking up 4 wickets, including the key dismissals of Brook and Stokes, but he lacked support from the rest of the bowling attack.
With Daryl Mitchell (31*) and Nathan Smith (1*) still at the crease for New Zealand, the hosts will need a herculean effort to stave off defeat and force a draw. England, on the other hand, are well-positioned to push for a win on Day 4, with their bowlers likely to exploit the remaining cracks in the pitch and the new ball’s swing.
England will be targeting the remaining wickets quickly, and with the form shown by Woakes and Carse, they will be confident of wrapping up New Zealand’s innings and securing a significant win.
