New Zealand vs England: New Zealand Steams Ahead as England Openers Fall in Chase of Massive 658 Runs
England's chase of 658 runs in the third Test against New Zealand got off to a poor start, with openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley dismissed for 4 and 5, respectively, leaving England at 18/2. Tim Southee took both wickets in his final Test. Earlier, Kane Williamson's 156 helped New Zealand reach 453, with a 105-run partnership alongside Rachin Ravindra.
The third Test, day 3 of the match between England and New Zealand ended with a strong position for the Kiwis as England’s chase of 658 runs seemed unlikely. England was 18-2 after losing both openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, in the six overs before stumps on day 3. Duckett was dismissed for 4, caught off Tim Southee, while Crawley was trapped lbw for 5 by Matt Henry.
England was left reeling, and with the possibility of Ben Stokes not batting due to a hamstring injury, their hopes seemed slim. Earlier, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson had advanced his overnight score of 50 to reach 156, hitting 20 fours and a six, before being dismissed.
He was instrumental in New Zealand’s solid total, sharing a 105-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra, who scored 44. This century was Williamson’s 33rd Test century, and he now holds the record for the most runs at Seddon Park, with 1,614 runs. His performance took New Zealand’s score to 453 before they were dismissed. England’s best bowling figures were 3-72 by part-time spinner Jacob Bethell.
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