NOTTINGHAM, England : New Zealand tightened their grip on the third test against England after an impressive morning session with the ball on Saturday, reducing the hosts to 314-6 at lunch on day three, still 124 runs behind the tourists’ first-innings total.
England resumed their innings looking to cut into New Zealand’s advantage but lost three wickets for 11 runs early in the session.
Nathan Smith claimed his second wicket when Jamie Smith edged to Daryl Mitchell at slip, who held a low catch.
England captain Ben Stokes was then bowled for 15 by Zak Foulkes, the concussion substitute for Blair Tickner, after a delivery jagged back sharply to beat his defence.
Harry Brook steadied the innings and reached an unbeaten 51 from 68 balls, striking five boundaries to keep England’s hopes of avoiding a first-innings deficit alive.
Play was interrupted briefly on four occasions during the session as ground staff repaired a hole that developed in the bowler’s run-up at the Stuart Broad End.
