Summary

  • Third Test, day three, Hamilton

  • England close on 18-2 after Duckett & Crawley fall late on

  • New Zealand make 453 to set England nominal target of 658

  • Williamson compiles superb 156, Mitchell hits 60; Bethell takes 3-72

  • Stokes sustains left hamstring injury while bowling

Live Reporting

by Tom Mallows & Mike Peter

  1. 6 runs

    NZ 352-5

    Away we go!

    Blundell launches Bethell's fourth delivery down the ground for his second six.

    This is all looking so easy for New Zealand, barely any suggestion of threat since tea.

  2. The players are resuming their positions after drinks with Cher's Believe playing out of the stadium's speakers.

    In my teenage years, my friends used to claim this was my favourite song, I think because it was the first track on a Now compilation album I owned.

    Perhaps not my favourite, but as an adult I'll happily acknowledge it's a banger.

  3. 6 runs

    NZ 345-5

    Lead by 549

    A first boundary for Blundell, advancing down the pitch to Bashir and whipping the ball through mid-wicket.

    He follows that up by clubbing the England spinner over long-on for six.

    That takes us to drinks.

  4. NZ 333-5

    Blundell ends the Bethell over by knocking a two into the covers and then retaining the strike after taking a single to long-off.

    Maybe England's seamers have wandered off somewhere? Someone was at the Hamilton museum during the rain delay, bet they've heard of a particularly enthralling exhibition.

  5. NZ 330-5

    Two more dot balls to end the over.

    Still no new ball, Jacob Bethell will continue.

  6. Not out

    NZ 330-5

    And now Mitchell survives when edging to Brook.

    He's given out on the field, but the New Zealand batter turned his head immediately to watch the catch being taken and he chooses to reviews.

    The replays suggest the ball was grounded before ending up in Brook's hands.

  7. Not out

    Ollie Pope's dismal reviewing record shows no signs of improving.

    Blundell went for the reverse sweep off Bashir, Brook moved early anticipating the shot and took the catch moving to his right.

    The replays show the ball clipped Blundell's boot before spinning up to the England fielder.

  8. Umpire review

    They will not, but that might not matter for now as Ollie Pope is reviewing a call - he thinks Blundell has been caught by Harry Brook at slip.

  9. NZ 329-5

    Blundell gets off the mark, cutting Bethell down to deep cover for a single.

    New ball due... will England take it?

  10. NZ 327-5

    Blundell sees out the final three balls of the Bashir over without scoring.

    Both he and Mitchell are capable of whacking the ball around, with Williamson gone might this pair look to swiftly add a further 50 and then see what their attack can do in the final hour or the day?

  11. wicket

    WICKET

    Williamson c sub (Ahmed) b Bashir 156 (NZ 327-5)

    Finally, the breakthrough.

    Who needs the new ball? It's Bashir who nabs it with the old cherry.

    It's a top edge from Williamson as he attempts to sweep, and sub fielder Rehan Ahmed takes the catch down at backward square leg.

    No sign of a declaration, Tom Blundell is wandering out.

  12. NZ 325-4

    Three singles from this Bethell over.

    The local TV commentators are engaged in an extended dialogue about Kane Williamson's love of coffee.

    We're all just waiting for the new ball, which is due in two overs.

  13. Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    Cricviz analyst

    Most runs in Test cricket in 2024:

    • Joe Root - 1,502
    • Yashasvi Jaiswal - 1,308
    • Ben Duckett - 1,145
    • Harry Brook - 1,099
    • Kamindu Mendis - 1,049
    • Kane Williamson - 1,008*

  14. NZ 322-4

    Lead by 526

    No boundaries from this over as the New Zealand batters run up a two and a pair of singles off Bashir.

    They're grinding England down, over by over.

  15. Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    Cricviz analyst

    Kane Williamson has reached 1,000 Test runs in 2024. This is the second time he has achieved this feat in a calendar year, following 1,172 runs in 2015.

    He is also the sixth batter to get to 1,000 runs in 2024.

  16. 150 runs

    150 for Kane Williamson

    NZ 318-4

    There's the next landmark for Kane Williamson.

    He twice finds the cover boundary off the bowling of Bethell, with the second shot bringing up his 150.

    He also now averages over 100 on this ground - although that figure will drop if he gets out.

    A man in control.

  17. Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    Cricviz analyst

    Highest run chases in Test history:

    • 418 - WI v AUS, St Jon's 2003
    • 414 - SA v AUS, Perth 2008
    • 404 - AUS v ENG, Leeds 1948
    • 403 - IND v WI, Port of Spain 1976
    • 395 - WI v BAN, Chattogram 2021

  18. NZ 308-4

    Perhaps the first few hints of acceleration for New Zealand as they strike a trio of boundaries from Bashir's over.

    Mitchell reverse sweeps the first ball, taking the lead past 500 and taking Bashir's runs conceded to 100.

    Williamson follows up by punching the ball through mid-off to take the innings score to 300, then Mitchell turns one around the corner and to the ropes - 14 from the over.

  19. NZ 294-4

    After a number of overs of nurdling, Williamson picks up the first boundary on the session, chipping Bethell into a gap in the covers.

    Even that shot felt pretty gentle.

  20. NZ 288-4

    Trio of dot balls from Bashir, followed by a trio singles.

    This game is in a holding pattern.