England Face Daunting Run Chase as New Zealand Seize Control of Trent Bridge Decider
England face a potentially match-and-series-defining final two days after New Zealand seized control of the deciding Test at Trent Bridge, moving to 120 for 3 at the close of the third day โ a lead of 204 โ as the deteriorating pitch increasingly favoured the tourists' bowlers.
England were dismissed for 354 in their first innings, leaving them 84 behind, as concussion substitute Zak Foulkes claimed three wickets including Harry Brook for 58 and captain Ben Stokes, who was bowling in a Test for the first time since being rested for the second match.
Jofra Archer was excellent with the ball in New Zealand's second innings, dismissing Tom Latham lbw and Devon Conway caught at slip, while Gus Atkinson removed Henry Nicholls.
But Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 60 and Daryl Mitchell's 26 not out extended New Zealand's advantage into what looks a decisive lead.
The pitch has been the central character of the Test.
Benign for the first two days, it broke up markedly on the third, producing 11 wickets in the session.
Joe Root was dismissed lbw to Nathan Smith for the third successive innings in the same manner, and Jamie Smith continued a poor match behind the stumps.
England have won only two of their last ten Tests and face difficult questions about the team's direction regardless of the result.
Stokes acknowledged the weight of expectation before the match, describing it as the highest pressure of his captaincy.
England were dismissed for 354 in their first innings, leaving them 84 behind, as concussion substitute Zak Foulkes claimed three wickets including Harry Brook for 58 and captain Ben Stokes, who was bowling in a Test for the first time since being rested for the second match.
Jofra Archer was excellent with the ball in New Zealand's second innings, dismissing Tom Latham lbw and Devon Conway caught at slip, while Gus Atkinson removed Henry Nicholls.
But Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 60 and Daryl Mitchell's 26 not out extended New Zealand's advantage into what looks a decisive lead.
The pitch has been the central character of the Test.
Benign for the first two days, it broke up markedly on the third, producing 11 wickets in the session.
Joe Root was dismissed lbw to Nathan Smith for the third successive innings in the same manner, and Jamie Smith continued a poor match behind the stumps.
England have won only two of their last ten Tests and face difficult questions about the team's direction regardless of the result.
Stokes acknowledged the weight of expectation before the match, describing it as the highest pressure of his captaincy.