Daryl Mitchell stayed unbeaten on 26 as New Zealand closed day three of the third Test at 120 for 3, 204 runs ahead of England. Rachin Ravindra was 60 not out, and the pair turned a difficult finish into control for New Zealand.
The lead matters because England had reduced the first innings to a narrow gap before New Zealand settled the second innings without losing another wicket late. By stumps, the match had shifted back to New Zealand after a day that demanded patience more than pace.
Ravindra and Mitchell at the crease
Ravindra anchored the reply with 60 not out. Mitchell matched that discipline from the other end, finishing on 26 not out and leaving New Zealand with two set batters to carry into day four.
New Zealand reached 120 for 3 in their second innings. That left them 204 runs in front after both sides completed their first innings, with New Zealand on 438 and England on 354.
Archer’s burst for England
Jofra Archer made the early inroads for England, removing Tom Latham and Devon Conway in 13 deliveries. England still could not turn that start into control, and the reply held firm once the wickets stopped falling.
New Zealand’s first innings had already been built through 438, while England’s 354 left them chasing the game before the second innings even began. On the same day, Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke dismissed Joe Root and Jacob Bethell in the opening exchanges, and Jamie Smith went to Nathan Smith to make it three wickets inside the first half hour.
Foulkes changed England’s score
Zak Foulkes added the other swing point. He bowled Ben Stokes for 15 and later removed Harry Brook for 58 from 80 balls, a score described as the slowest half-century of his Test career.
New Zealand had already been stretched before this decider, with Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson unavailable and Blair Tickner subbed out with concussion on day two. Even with that margin for error gone, the final margin at stumps was still a 204-run lead, and New Zealand now resume with Ravindra and Mitchell set to bat on a surface that became harder work as the day went on.
