NZ clinging on against England

England took charge of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, riding Harry Brook’s 171 to a first-innings lead of 151 before reducing the Black Caps to 155/6 at close of play on Day 3.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway departed cheaply before tea, and the crisis deepened when Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell were dismissed off successive balls in the final session with the hosts still in arrears.

Williamson offered hope with an innings of 61 but it all but disappeared when Chris Woakes, belying his reputation as a bowler who struggles outside England, trapped him in front and then had Blundell caught behind off a nick for a golden duck. Glenn Phillips fended off the hat-trick ball but followed his teammates off the field in the last 20 minutes of play when he was dismissed lbw for 19 by Brydon Carse.