New Zealand vs England 3rd Test Day 3 Live Updates

UPDATE - 10.45 pm GMT - Uh..oh! The rain has made its appearance once again at Seddon Park. It is not that heavy but the skies above looks a bit gloomy. The covers are coming back on again. Stick with us for further news.

UPDATE - 10.16 pm GMT - There is some positive news coming from the ground and few of the covers are coming off now. The outfield is wet and the umpires will want to make sure that it is fully fit before the players take the field. It shouldn't be a long delay barring further rain.

UPDATE - 9.49 pm GMT - Well, we are less than 15 minutes from the scheduled start of Day 3, but it is currently raining in Hamilton. So, the start of the day has been officially delayed. We hope that it is just a passing shower and we could get going sooner rather than later. Stay tuned for further updates.

With clear skies and mild conditions expected for Day 3, both teams will have the perfect opportunity to make their mark. Will New Zealand push their lead even further, or can England mount a resilient fightback? Stay tuned as we head into what promises to be an exciting day of cricket!

For England, Day 2 was a tough one. Their first innings failure of getting bowled out for 143, highlighted their tendency of a collapse. On Day 3, England’s bowlers must rise to the occasion and try to break New Zealand's solid partnership between Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra. Ben Stokes will play a pivotal role with the ball, while their batters, especially the openers, need to make a strong start whenever they bat again. England will be hoping the pitch holds up for batting in the second innings, but they will also need to find ways to break partnerships and regain control of the match. Given plenty of time still remaining in the Test match, England might look to pull off a blinder in their chase with whatever target New Zealand throws at them, which the English lineup is perfectly capable of gunning down.

New Zealand’s performance on Day 2 was impressive, with both bat and ball. Kane Williamson’s calm fifty anchored their second-innings score, while Mitchell Santner’s cameo helped add crucial runs in the first innings. Their bowling attack proved deadly, skittling England for a paltry total in the first innings. On Day 3, New Zealand will aim to build on their lead. Williamson’s presence at the crease gives them stability, and Rachin Ravindra will need to continue his promising form. The pitch is expected to remain favourable for batting, though it may offer some assistance for the bowlers if the ball starts to reverse later in the day given the baking conditions at Seddon Park. New Zealand’s top order will look to set a big total, and their bowlers will be eager to wrap up England’s batters early in their chase.

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the third Test, often known as the 'Moving Day', between New Zealand and England at Seddon Park, Hamilton. After a gripping Day 2, New Zealand have firmly taken control of the match. England’s first innings crumbled to just 143, with Matt Henry, William O'Rourke, and Mitchell Santner playing crucial roles with the ball as the chief destroyers. Despite some early breakthroughs in their second innings, New Zealand closed the day at 136/3, leading by 340 runs. On Day 3, the Kiwis will look to press their advantage and extend their dominance, while England will be desperate to pick up early wickets to stay in the contest.

... DAY 3, SESSION 1...

Right then, that is it from an entertaining Day 2 of this final Test. New Zealand are in the driver's seat as we move into the 'Moving Day' and will look to keep extending their lead further. England will hope that they can make some early inroads, but they know they will have to bat their skins out in the fourth innings. Day 3 will begin at 10 pm GMT, but you can join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

New Zealand's final session was all about intent and dominance as they extended their lead to a commanding 340 runs! Though skipper Tom Latham fell early, Will Young continued his fine form, smashing a brisk half-century before falling short of a big score again. Kane Williamson joined the charge, stroking boundaries effortlessly and steering the innings with class. England toiled hard, with Gus Atkinson breaking through early in the session, but it was Ben Stokes who turned the tide briefly, executing a clever short-ball plan to dismiss the dangerous Williamson's partner and the nightwatchman. Williamson also notched up his fifty in the last over of the day and ensured the Kiwis ended the day firmly in control.

New Zealand delivered a masterclass in bowling to take full control of the Test! William O'Rourke's sensational spell rattled England with three key wickets, including the set pair of Joe Root and Jacob Bethell in one over. Earlier, Matt Henry's fiery double-wicket over halted England's flying start, and Mitchell Santner's magical three-wicket burst in as many overs crushed any hopes of a recovery. Despite a fighting 52-run stand between Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope, Santner and Henry ensured there was no wagging tail, wrapping up the innings swiftly. With a massive 204-run first-innings lead, New Zealand opted to bat again, looking to set an imposing target and dictate terms with plenty of time left in the game.

Mitchell Santner, with valuable support from William O'Rourke, added crucial runs for the last wicket, getting New Zealand near that 350-run mark. Ben Stokes’ decision to contain rather than attack allowed New Zealand to stretch their score before England finally broke through after the first drinks break. Zak Crawley came out firing, smashing Tim Southee for four boundaries in one over, but Matt Henry struck back in style, dismissing Crawley and Ben Duckett to swing the game once again. Joe Root and Jacob Bethell steadied the ship, guiding England past 50 as the session ended with both teams locked in an enthralling battle.

SESSION SUMMARY - 136 runs and 3 wickets in 32 overs! A Kiwi-dominated Day 2 comes to an end! They were brilliant with both bat and ball outplaying England and getting control of this Test. Seddon Park is like a fortress for New Zealand and once again they find themselves in a position from where beating them will be a really tough ask for the visitors.

Strays down leg, does Ben Stokes. Rachin Ravindra lets it go through as he watches it go right into the keeper's gloves. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 2.

Goes short again, angled towards the batter. Rachin Ravindra drops his wrists and sways away from the line of the ball as it flies over to the keeper.

Classy FIFTY that for Kane Williamson. He just keeps on churning out those runs for New Zealand. Coming in from around the wicket, pitched in short and angled towards the batter. Williamson swivels and pulls it towards deep fine leg for a single.

Banged in short, outside off. Rachin Ravindra stands inside his crease and swats it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Comes in from around the wicket this time. Kane Williamson shuffles across and tucks it off the hips towards backward square leg for a single.

Goes short straight away, angled towards the batter. Kane Williamson ducks underneath it and lets it go through.

Slows it up, full and off, Rachin Ravindra negotiates it well. Maiden over!