New Zealand vs England 2nd Test Day 3 Updates and commentary

Strangled down leg side and Pope makes no mistake! Stokes with another one. Good innings there from Smith. Showed maturity and discipline but unfortunately has to depart.

England need only one more wicket.

Stokes wreaks havoc at the backend as New Zealand are down to nine wickets.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 8, 2024

Stokes chips in with a wicket! Henry tries to slog him over square leg for a six but mistimes it to Bethell in the deep. New Zealand are almost down and out now.

OUT! Stokes strikes again, dismissing Matt Henry for 4 with a catch by Jacob Bethell.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 8, 2024

Blundell departs! Goes to paddle scoop Bashir but does not get the desired distance. Duckett does exceptionally well to get to the trajectory of the ball and catch it. Blundell can rest easy knowing he has played his heart for his country. England edge closer….

New Zealand are 237/7. England need 3 more wickets.

Ben Duckett takes a stunning catch to dismiss Tom Blundell after his brilliant counter-attacking century.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 8, 2024

Blundell soars into the promised land of centurions! What an innings from the wicketkeeper! The lone warrior for the Kiwis. The ton comes in great time as well. Great innings and its been an entertaining one as well.

New Zealand are 226/6. England need only 4 wickets to win.

We are back for the last session of the day and it could turn out to be the last session of the test match.

Couple of strong partnerships for the Kiwis in this session. Mitchell looked solid only for to be undone by a straightening delivery. Phillips misjudged a Bashir delivery and got bowled. England still need 4 wickets to wrap up the match and series.

Another strong partnership from Nathan Smith and Tom Blundell. 50 run partnership in only 26 balls. I doubt it will be enough at the end of the day.

After getting tonked for a 4, Bashir makes a comeback with a wicket, this time of Phillips’! Some turn and bounce on offer and Phillips makes the wrong decision to play the ball on the back foot.

New Zealand are now 141/6. England need 4 more wickets to win.

Atkinson strikes after the drinks break, breaking New Zealand's resistance.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 8, 2024

Blundell slashes hard through point and the ball races to the boundary. That gets him to his 50! A real fighting knock from the wicketkeeper! He has given the hosts a ray of hope.

New Zealand are 125/5. England need 5 wickets to win.

Mitchell has an acknowledging look on his face after that ball. Nothing he could do about that delivery from Atkinson. Mitchell was looking solid until he nicked it to Pope. He departs for a defiant 30 off 72.

New Zealand are now 106/5. England require 5 more wickets to win.

Atkinson strikes after the drinks break, breaking New Zealand's resistance.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 8, 2024

Blundell and Mitchell have come out with a plan to block everything that comes their way. It is probably their best chance. Mitchell is on 28 off 57. These both have stitched a partnership of 28 off 71 balls.

New Zealand is on 91/4. England need 6 more wickets to win.

We are back on after a short shower.

It seems like the heavens are mimicking New Zealand’s fortunes at the moment. The top order have gifted their wickets to the visitors and they will need to take a hard look at themselves after this. The middle order can only hope for a miracle at this point.

New Zealand are 59/4.

New Zealand are falling like dominoes at Wellington. It should not be surprising but it is. Another edge and another catch for Pope behind the wickets. Ravindra is distraught with himself.

New Zealand are 59/4. England need 6 more wickets to win.

Carse strikes again to get the wicket of Ravindra! Newzealand- 59/4 needing a further 524 runs.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 7, 2024

The skipper heads to the pavilion. Caught and bowled by Carse. The leading edge on Latham’s bat betrays him and Carse takes the catch.

New Zealand are 38/3 and need 545 runs more to win.

That’s a mighty blow! Williamson, who would have been the rock to rely on in this New Zealand side has nicked one to Pope! Woakes has a second! What a session England are having.

New Zealand are now 25/2. They need 558 runs to win.

Woakes strikes to remove Williamson! New Zealand are 25/2.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 7, 2024

The New Zealand skipper is off to a strong with 12 off 18. He has scored a couple of boundaries as well. They will need an inspirational knock from him today.

New Zealand are 16/1. 567 run needed to win.

Oh Devon Conway, when it rains it does pour. What a horrid patch of form he is going through. He is gone for a duck. Bowled through the gate by Woakes! First one down for the Kiwis. England need 9 more.

New Zealand are 9/1 and need 574 more runs.

Devon Conway departs as Chris Woakes claims England's first wicket of the innings.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 7, 2024

So England have declared promptly. They decided to have a bit of fun this morning and they did succeed in doing just that. Surprisingly Stokes was on 49 himself. I doubt he cares much about that score. The only score that matters is the New Zealand require 583 runs to win.

Edged and taken by Blundell! O’Rourke with the wicket. Root has to depart on 106.

England declare after Joe Root's dismissal for 106, setting New Zealand a target of 583 runs to level the series.
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 7, 2024

Root climbs another peak! An important innings for him personally. He had looked a bit shaky in the tour up till now. But as world class players do, he comes storming back!

Joe Root scores his 36th Test century, reaching the milestone with a reverse ramp shot!
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— Guerilla Cricket #GCFromHome (@guerillacricket) December 7, 2024

England reach the 400 run mark. Their lead us now at 556. Root is on 86 while the skipper is approaching his 50. England motor on.