New Zealand vs England Live Score Updates 3rd Test Day 4

The game is finely poised - New Zealand in the driver's seat and England desperately fighting to make a game of it. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting Day 4!

England, on the other hand, will have a mountain to climb. After being dismissed for just 143 in their first innings, the batting is giving signs of a collapse again in the second innings, with both openers - Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley falling early. England finished the day at 18/2, with Joe Root and Jacob Bethell left to rebuild. England's aggressive style, often referred to as 'Bazball' has seen them dominate in the past, but with such a large target, they will need to find a balance between attack and defence. Weather forecasts indicate clear skies and a dry pitch for Day 4, so England may have a brief window to counterattack. However, the pitch has shown to favour the bowlers, with Matt Henry and Tim Southee likely to cause trouble, especially with New Zealand's aggressive fielding and tactics.

For New Zealand, Day 3 was a showcase of their depth and skill. Kane Williamson's 156 was the standout, further cementing his place as one of the game’s greats. Daryl Mitchell's 60 and Mitchell Santner's rapid 49 were invaluable, while Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra also chipped in. Their innings of 453, was built on solid partnerships, and it was clear that New Zealand's patience and consistency would be key in this match. On Day 4, we can expect more of the same from the hosts. With a large lead, they will be aiming to continue putting pressure on England, forcing them into mistakes. Given their strong bowling attack, the Kiwis will focus on taking quick wickets and closing out the game as swiftly as possible.

Hello and welcome to Day 4 of the third Test match between New Zealand and England at Seddon Park, Hamilton. After a rain-impacted start to Day 3, it was a day dominated by New Zealand. Their batting line-up piled on a massive 453 runs in the second innings, with Kane Williamson's majestic 156 at the helm. Despite a brief fightback from England in the field, the match sees them trailing by 640 runs with only two days left. England’s bowlers, though tiring, gave their best, but the New Zealand middle order, including Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, and Mitchell Santner, provided crucial contributions. As we head into Day 4, the Kiwis are firmly in control.

... DAY 4, SESSION 1 ...

Right then, that is it from a rain-affected but no short-of-action Day 3. New Zealand have further solidified their position in the game and it is very much possible that we get a result on the fourth day if the weather permits. As we lost a lot of time and overs on the 'Moving Day', we will have an early start on Day 4. It will begin at 9.30 pm GMT, but you can join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

Tim Southee is up for a quick chat. He says that it is a strange feeling to experience pressure to bat. Mentions that it is always good to walk out with the boys for New Zealand. Adds that it is always nice to take a wicket for New Zealand on any given day. Further adds that it is obviously going to be an emotional couple of days ahead but will look to do the job to help them secure the win.

In the final session, the Kiwis shifted gears and went on an all-out attack. Regardless of who was at the crease, every batter followed the same aggressive approach, smashing runs at will. Quick-fire contributions from Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, and Tom Blundell helped the hosts set a mammoth target of 658 runs. After a long stint in the field, England began their daunting chase but stumbled early, losing both openers cheaply and sinking further into trouble.

Day 3 began with an extended second session, completely dominated by New Zealand. Kane Williamson scored a magnificent century - his fifth in a row at Seddon Park - while Rachin Ravindra fell just short of a fifty. The Kiwis piled on 138 runs, pushing their lead close to 500 by Tea. Despite their efforts, England struggled to make inroads, with Matthew Potts emerging as the standout wicket-taker in the session.

Despite losing the entire first session to rain, the game has progressed rapidly, tilting firmly in favor of the hosts. The Kiwis extended their substantial lead to an imposing one, while England labored tirelessly for wickets but found little success. They now need something extraordinary to turn this game around with 8 wickets remaining and needing 640 runs.

Hard length, around off, nips back in sharply, Jacob Bethell fends it right under his eyes with the full face of the bat. THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 3!

Short of a length, wide outside off, shapes away, Jacob Bethell doesn't offer any shot at it as the ball sails through to the keeper.

Back of a length, outside off, angling in, Jacob Bethell fends it to cover with ease from the front foot.

BEAUTY! Goes fuller this time, just outside off, angles in, and then a hint of outswing. Jacob Bethell carves out his front leg and wants to play the line of the ball but gets beaten on the outside edge. The ball zips past the off stump by an inch. Lucky for him he survives.

A solid defense this time! Good length, on off, seaming in, Jacob Bethell comes forward and blocks it out with ease.

Beaten! Comes from around the wicket, Hard length, just outside off, angles in, straightens out off the deck, Jacob Bethell looks to defend it with the full face of the bat but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Joe Root comes out to the middle now.

OUT! LBW! Matt Henry gets Zak Crawley for the sixth time in this series. This one is bowled full and on middle, scrambled seam, nips in just a slight bit. Zak Crawley pushes at it as it beats past the inside edge and thuds onto the front pads just under the knee roll. The New Zealand slip cordon goes up along with the bowler and the umpire obliges to the appeal. Zak Crawley challenges the decision. UltraEdge shows that it misses the bat. Ball Tracking comes up with two reds and shows it is just kissing the leg stump. Crawley is absolutely fuming as he walks off but he can do nothing about it here.

Is that out? The umpire has given it out LBW but Zak Crawley takes the review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that it is just clipping the leg stump. Crawley is not happy with the decision but has to walk back now.

Full and way outside off, nips in. Zak Crawley covers his line of the stumps and lets it go through.