It was on cards that England will go hard on third day as their new game methods allows them to do. After the stumps of day 2, England were 79 for 2 and New Zealand would have thought they can only allow England to score 200 runs. Anything above that will push the home side in deep trouble.
New Zealand got rid off nighthawk without conceding much and at the other end, runs kept flowing free. England has the tendency of making constant counter attack which never gives the opponents the liberty to go on top.
England knew that New Zealand will push ahead with Neil Wagner and that’s why they scored 110 runs of his 13 overs. He did dismiss Ollie Pope and Stuart Broad but he was well taken down by Harry Brook and Joe Root.
In total, England went on to score 374 runs which meant that New Zealand will be chasing 394 runs in the fourth innings of the match. After scoring 81 balls 89 in the first innings, Harry Brook again went blazing with bat and scored 51 balls 54 alongside Joe Root who scored 57 runs. Both shared 81 runs partnership and lead the team to 225 runs before Tickner got better of Brook.
In the meantime, Ben Stokes scored 31 runs and with his second six, became the most six hitter in the test cricket, leaving behind the current England coach Brendon McCullum. England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes looked good and made substantial contribution of 51 runs.
New Zealand needed a monumental effort to chase down 394 runs in the fourth innings of a test match. By no means they were prepared for it. With pink ball seaming under lights, New Zealand lost 5 wickets for just 29 runs. Stuart Broad was on fire as he bamboozled the stumps four times.