England tried everything after losing Ben Stokes to injury but struggled to stop the hosts’ charge
England 143 and 18 for 2 (Bethell 9, Root 0, Southee 1-4, Henry 1-14) need another 640 runs to beat New Zealand 347 and 453 (Williamson 156, Young 60, Mitchell 60, Bethell 3-72)
Kane Williamson’s superb century led New Zealand to a gigantic lead over England on a third day which swung from potential tragedy for the tourists to bizarre comedy for all concerned.
“Tragedy” is often misused to describe events which are far from it and probably over-states the hamstring injury which forced Ben Stokes from the field mid-over and kept him out of action for the rest of New Zealand’s imposing innings.