New Zealand played itself into a strong position on day ​three of the series-deciding third Ttest against England at Trent ‌Bridge.

After securing an 84-run first innings lead, ​the Black Caps overcame a difficult start ⁠with the bat to extend it to 204 at the close on 120-3.

Rachin Ravindra made a valuable 60 not out, ‌sharing an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 69 with Daryl Mitchell to put New Zealand in ‌command.

Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway – centurions in ‌the ⁠first innings – both went cheaply second time ⁠around.

Jofra Archer did the damage, trapping Latham lbw for four with the final ball of the opening over and then inducing Conway (5) ​to edge to first ‌slip after unsettling him with a blow to his helmet. His menacing opening five-over burst yielded 2-12.

Gus Atkinson then removed Henry Nicholls for 16 with ‌Harry Brook taking a sharp slip catch.

But Ravindra ​and Mitchell calmly steadied the ship, leaving England in a tight corner after their first ⁠innings had fallen away disappointingly.

Resuming on 223-2, they subsided to 354 all out with Nathan Smith – New Zealand’s ‌leading wicket-taker in the series with 14 – taking advantage of a surface offering far more help to the bowlers than on the first two days to take 4-91.

Without Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson and having lost Blair Tickner concussed by a short ball ‌from Archer, the rest of the New Zealand attack had to ​step up and they did.

Smith was well supported by Will O’Rourke who took 3-53 and ⁠Tickner’s replacement Zak Foulkes, who finished with 3-35 including ⁠the key wickets of Ben Stokes and Harry Brook, who made 58 from 80 balls.

It was, ‌emphatically, New Zealand’s day as it seeks to inflict what would be a seventh defeat in ​nine Tests on England. 

Published on Jun 28, 2026