November 30, 2024

Woakes and Carse Set Up Victory After England’s Dominant Batting Performance

England took control on the third day of the first Test in Christchurch, building on their 151-run first-innings lead with aggressive batting and disciplined bowling. New Zealand, following on, were 348 in their first innings (with Kane Williamson scoring 93 and Glenn Phillips making 58*) and were 155 for 6 in their second innings, trailing England’s 499 (highlighted by Harry Brook’s powerful 171, Ben Stokes’ 80, and Ollie Pope’s 77).

Chris Woakes, often criticized for his inconsistent overseas record, proved his value with a crucial spell, taking three key wickets in New Zealand’s second innings, including the prized scalp of Williamson. His performance came after being wicketless in the first innings, but he found success with a fuller length, finishing the day with figures of 3 for 39 in 13 overs—his third-best bowling performance in 41 overseas Tests.

Brydon Carse, bringing intensity and pace to the attack, also impressed with three wickets. He dismissed Rachin Ravindra with his first ball of the evening session and later claimed Phillips at the close of play. England’s dominance was set up by their explosive batting in the morning, with Brook’s 171 leading to a total of 499. Stokes provided support with a hard-hitting 80, marking his highest score since the 2023 Ashes. The lower order, including Gus Atkinson and Carse, added a rapid 81 runs off 60 balls to finish the innings on a high note.

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Woakes and Carse Lead England’s Fightback as New Zealand’s Resistance Falls

Williamson and Rachin Ravindra showed that the pitch was still good for batting as they reached tea unbroken in a third-wicket partnership of 39, with Williamson marking his 9,000th career run. However, their steady progress was interrupted when Brydon Carse returned after the break and bowled aggressively without slips, aiming to challenge the batsmen’s confidence. Ravindra attempted to play an ambitious shot on the first ball of Carse’s over but was caught by Jacob Bethell at deep square leg, leaving New Zealand at 64 for 3.

With the team in need of stability, Williamson and Daryl Mitchell—a key performer from New Zealand’s 2022 tour of England—stepped up and started to steady the ship. But Chris Woakes’ second spell broke their resistance. Woakes showed he had found his rhythm when Williamson, fresh off a fifty, was forced into uncomfortable shots past gully. In his next over, Woakes bowled an excellent inducker that started on off-stump and angled in, trapping Williamson on the pads and prompting a frustrated review that was ultimately unsuccessful.

Woakes soon had a chance for a hat-trick. Tom Blundell, struggling for form, edged an away-swinging delivery to the keeper, setting off wild celebrations among his teammates. Although Glenn Phillips survived the hat-trick ball and later helped New Zealand erase the deficit, he was dismissed before the close of play. Carse, once again attacking from wide on the crease, found movement off the seam to bowl him out lbw, with the decision upheld on umpire’s call.

This marked a remarkable turnaround for England, who had been in a tough position at 71 for 4 in their first innings. However, after resuming on 319 for 5 in the morning, they never looked back. Brook and Stokes played aggressively, determined not to repeat their cautious start under the morning cloud cover. Brook’s 171 made him only the third England batter after Wally Hammond and Joe Root to score over 150 twice in New Zealand. Brook did get a reprieve on 147 when Glenn Phillips failed to catch a straightforward chance at gully, his fifth missed opportunity in the match.

Brook’s Power and Woakes’ Precision Propel England’s Dominant Position

The arrival of the new ball was a signal for Harry Brook to take his innings up a notch, and he did so with power, especially against Tim Southee. Brook smashed one ball so hard it went onto the pavilion roof, displaying his dominance. Just when it looked like he was unstoppable, Brook edged a delivery from Matt Henry outside off-stump and was caught by Blundell behind the stumps. He left the field with an impressive overseas Test average of 89.40 and a perfect 500 runs at 100.00 in New Zealand alone.

Chris Woakes made his mark later, dismissing Southee with an outswinger that Tom Latham—who had dropped three catches on day two—grabbed low at second slip. England’s batting depth proved crucial in this match, with Atkinson, who had scored a century against Sri Lanka earlier, and Brydon Carse coming out aggressively.

Atkinson reached 48 off just 36 balls and hit a six to bring up England’s 400 with a powerful pull shot over square leg. But Carse’s shot of the day was an audacious wristy lap over deep fine leg for one of his three sixes. He finished unbeaten on 33 from 24 balls when Shoaib Bashir fell to Henry, making him the fourth wicket of the innings. Carse’s chance at a higher score was missed when Phillips dropped him on his sixth ball after lunch, part of New Zealand’s eight dropped chances in the field and the third by Phillips alone. Despite England’s commanding position at the end of the day, it was clear where the momentum had shifted.

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