1st Test, New Zealand vs England Day 3 preview: Onus on hosts’ middle-order to rise to the challenge

New Zealand finished Day 2 at Mount Maunganui on 144/4, still 209 behind England’s first-innings total of 353. At the crease are Henry Nicholls, on 26, and BJ Watling, on 6. While England hold an advantage, New Zealand do have a strong middle-order in Nicholls, Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, and Mitchell Santner. Expect an intense first session.

Just like de Grandhomme (2/41) on Day 1, Sam Curran (2/28) turned out to be more effective than his quicker counterparts. He bowled slower, hit the right spots, moved the ball around marginally, and picked up two wickets.

He replaced Jofra Archer (0/40) in the eighth over and struck with his third ball, trapping Tom Latham (8) leg-before. Then Kane Williamson (51) took charge, adding 54 with a resilient Jeet Raval (19) before the latter lost focus, attempted a bizarre shot off Jack Leach (1/29), and was caught at mid-wicket.

Ross Taylor (25) played his shots before trying to take on Ben Stokes (1/16). Unfortunately, he failed to clear deep mid-wicket. Then Curran got one to take off awkwardly from the pitch to have Williamson caught at slip.

Earlier in the day, England could add only 112 to their overnight score of 241/4. Tim Southee (4/88) ripped through the lower middle-order in a spell that accounted for both overnight batsmen, Stokes (91) and Ollie Pope (43). But the ubiquitous Leach (18*) stayed put, helping Jos Buttler (43) add 52 for the ninth wicket.

Key players

Henry Nicholls (New Zealand): Nicholls averages 66 (for his 927 runs) since the start of 2018. He has to live up to that for New Zealand to inch closer to England’s first-innings score.

Rory Burns (England): England, in all likelihood, will secure a first-innings lead. Who better than Burns to consolidate on and extend that lead to a substantial target?

Brief scores

England 353 (Ben Stokes 91, Joe Denly 74; Tim Southee 4/88, Neil Wagner 3/90) lead New Zealand 144/4 (Kane Williamson 51; Sam Curran 2/28) by 209 runs.

Prediction

England to secure a small lead and consolidate.