New Zealand on brink of victory as Henry, Wagner trigger England implosion

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The home side lead by just 37 runs, following excellent displays from Neil Wagner and Matt Henry.

Sixteen wickets fell during the course of a fast-moving day, by the end of which New Zealand had assumed complete control. The visitor’s posted 388/10 in their first innings, thanks to Ross Taylor’s 80 and Tom Blundell’s 34, after which Henry and Wagner dismantled England.

The day began with Taylor and Henry Nicholls resuming the New Zealand innings, following Will Young’s departure on 82 on the final ball of day two.

The duo stitched together a 63-run partnership, with Taylor in particular adopting an aggressive approach. His 80 runs came off just 139 deliveries. He fell short of a 20th Test century, however, when he was caught behind off Olly Stone. Nicholls perished for 21 not long thereafter.

New Zealand had piled on the runs in the morning session, but England came back strongly after lunch. Daryl Mitchell (6) fell shortly after the break, and that triggered a collapse in the lower order - New Zealand sliding from 335/5 to 361/9.

New Zealand’s final pair, Ajaz Patel and Trent Boult, added 27 runs in just 22 balls to take the lead to 85 runs, even as Stuart Broad returned 4/48 to rise to No.6 in the all-time Test wicket-takers' charts.

The England batsmen, however, couldn't build on their bowlers' strong display. The in-form Rory Burns departed for naught two balls into the innings, caught in the cordon off Henry. Sibley followed suit having scored 8. Henry continued to trouble England, taking down Zak Crawley for 17 as the hosts were reduced to 30/3 in 10.1 overs.

In came Ollie Pope, who attempted to counter-attack. He blazed 23 off just 20 deliveries, but perished to Wagner, triggering another collapse. From 58/3, England slid to 76/7.

Wood and Stone put on a fighting stand of 44, but Wagner’s short ball did the trick to send Wood back. New Zealand will be hopeful of wrapping up proceedings quickly on day four.