Day 3 as it happened
Morning session: NZ 207 69 overs
The players went off a little early last evening due to bad light.
FOW this morning: 155/5 McCullum c Prior b Broad 2 (22)
177/6 Williamson c Prior b Anderson 60 (167)
194/7 Southee c Root b Finn 12 (9)
195/8 Martin b Anderson 0 (3)
207/9 Watling c Prior b Finn 17 (52)
207/10 Boult c Anderson b Finn 0 (4)
Bowling figures: Anderson 5-47, Finn 4-63, Broad 1-64
Full NZ scorecard:
| Fulton | c Swann | b Anderson | 2 |
| Rutherford | c Cook | b Anderson | 4 |
| Williamson | c Prior | b Anderson | 59 |
| Taylor | lbw | b Anderson | 66 |
| Brownlie | lbw | b Finn | 23 |
| B McCullum | c Prior | b Broad | 2 |
| Watling | c Prior | b Finn | 17 |
| Southee | c Root | b Finn | 12 |
| B Martin | b Anderson | 0 | |
| Wagner | not out | 6 | |
| Boult | c Anderson | b Finn | 0 |
| Extras | 3nb 4b 9lb | 16 | |
| Total | all out | 207 | |
England will have a couple of overs to face before lunch
Kiwis wanted Cook caught behind they reviewed it not out there wasn't enough evidence
A nice boundary from Cook positive running too from Cook & Compton
Lunch England 12 for 0 (Cook 5*, Compton 7*) and 232 lead New Zealand 207 (Taylor 66, Williamson 60, Anderson 5-47, Finn 4-63) by 37 runs
England secured a narrow first-innings advantage after an impressive morning's work with the ball as a nip-and-tuck Test continued to unfold at Lord's. James Anderson completed his fourth five-wicket haul on the ground and, unlike yesterday, he found support from his colleagues with Steven Finn taking the last three wickets in the space of 19 balls.
Although scored at a quicker rate than England, New Zealand's innings followed a similar pattern as the last seven wickets fell for 60, giving the home side an advantage of 25 and ten minutes to bat before lunch. They had a nervous moment in the first when Trent Boult's second ball brought a massive appeal for caught behind; New Zealand reviewed the not-out decision and after a number of minutes of replays the umpire's call was upheld, to some surprise from the tourists.
Yet if Boult's first over was any indication, England's second innings was unlikely to be much easier than the first. They will also have to contend with having an ill Ian Bell, who spent the morning at the team hotel, having spent the majority of yesterday in the dressing room, and is unlikely to be able to bat before No. 7.
England made the ideal start to the day by removing Brendon McCullum in the first full over. McCullum could have taken the game by scruff of the neck in a session, but got a thin outside edge as he drove at Stuart Broad who, after being too short yesterday, immediately gained reward by pitching the ball up. McCullum thought he may have clipped his pad, not the ball, and used the DRS but there was a clear mark on Hot Spot.
With McCullum gone, England knew the risk of New Zealand racing away had diminished. Kane Williamson, who took a painful blow in the box against the much-improved Broad and needed a few minutes to compose himself, moved to an excellent fifty from 158 balls - his back-foot play through off side continuing to stand out - before falling in the same manner to Joe Root yesterday when he glanced Anderson down the leg side.
Anderson saved his best ball of the day (and probably the innings) for Bruce Martin and there was no disgrace in not surviving a high-class set of three deliveries. The first two ducked in from outside off then the third was a peach which pitched on off, held its line, and took the off stump as many before have done from Anderson.
Finn, although remaining inconsistent, played his part in dispatching the lower order. He benefited from a disappointing lack of self-control from Tim Southee who had clubbed three boundaries in three balls and could not resist hacking at a short delivery that was simply taken at cover. It was a waste.
Finn's pace disconcerted some of the New Zealand batsmen. Watling, dropped on 6, when Jonathan Trott dived across in front of Graeme Swann at second slip to palm away a chance that was more comfortable for his team-mate, flapped outside off stump to get a thin edge (which barely showed up on Hot Spot) although he had to try and score what he could alongside the bowlers.
Boult was unlikely to hang around for long and fended off a well-directed short ball to gully to give Finn somewhat flattering figures, but his strike-rate in Test cricket continues to be impressive.
England 91/2 (lead by 116)
Cook c Brownlie b Boult 21 (36/1)
Compton b Wagner 15 (36/2)
Tea England 91 for 2 (Trott 25*, Root 28*) and 232 lead New Zealand 207 (Taylor 66, Williamson 60, Anderson 5-45, Finn 4-63) by 116 runs
Having bowled out New Zealand before lunch, to secure a narrow lead, England built their advantage to 116 by tea on the third day but the match remained delicately poised. New Zealand sensed a way back into the contest when both openers fell in consecutive overs before Jonathan Trott and Joe Root, promoted to No. 4 with Ian Bell on his sickbed added an unbroken 55.
England's pace bowlers, operating as a more impressive unit than yesterday when only James Anderson impressed, were tough to handle during the morning. Anderson, with his fourth five-wicket haul at Lord's, and Steven Finn finished with nine wickets between them as New Zealand's last seven wickets - dating back to Dean Brownlie on the second evening - fell for 60 in a similar slide to England's first innings.
New Zealand were convinced they had struck second ball when they reviewed a not-out caught behind decision against Alastair Cook from Trent Boult. After a number of minutes of replays the umpire's call was upheld, to some surprise from the tourists. But Boult added Cook's scalp for the second time in the match (and fourth time this year) when he drew the England captain into driving a wide delivery which was superbly held by Brownlie, diving to his left, at third slip.
In the next over Nick Compton was nicely set up by Neil Wagner who, after sending deliveries across outside off stump, brought one back into the right hander which found space between bat and pad. Compton indicated it may not quite have bounced as expected, but the bat did come across at a slight angle. It was also a fine piece of bowling.
At 36 for 2, and with Bell having spent the morning at the team hotel and unable to bat until No. 7, another quick wicket would have severely jolted England. Trott and Root countered with some positive intent; Trott was underway with two boundaries in four balls against Wagner and Root followed with two in three deliveries off Boult.
The pair took 15 runs off Bruce Martin's first three overs, which forced Brendon McCullum to return to his quicks from both ends when he had probably hoped to allow Martin to bed in as he did, with great control, during the first innings. In a match where neither team has held an advantage for long, it was a small shift back towards England.
They had made the ideal start to the day by removing McCullum in the first full over. McCullum could have taken the game by scruff of the neck in a session, but got a thin outside edge as he drove at Stuart Broad who, after being too short yesterday, immediately gained reward by pitching the ball up. McCullum thought he may have clipped his pad, not the ball, and used the DRS but there was a clear mark on Hot Spot.
With McCullum gone, England knew the risk of New Zealand racing away had diminished. Kane Williamson, who took a painful blow in the box against the much-improved Broad and needed a few minutes to compose himself, moved to an excellent fifty from 158 balls - his back-foot play through off side continuing to stand out - before falling in the same manner to Root on Friday when he glanced Anderson down the leg side.
Anderson saved his best ball of the day (and probably the innings) for Martin and there was no disgrace in not surviving a high-class set of three deliveries. The first two ducked in from outside off then the third was a peach which pitched on off, held its line, and took the off stump as many before have done from Anderson.
Finn, although remaining inconsistent, played his part in dispatching the lower order. He benefited from a disappointing lack of self-control from Tim Southee who had clubbed three boundaries in three balls and could not resist hacking at a short delivery that was simply taken at cover. It was a waste.
Finn's pace disconcerted some of the New Zealand batsmen. Watling, dropped on 6, when Trott dived across in front of Graeme Swann at second slip to palm away a chance that was more comfortable for his team-mate, flapped outside off stump to get a thin edge (which barely showed up on Hot Spot) although he had to try and score what he could alongside the bowlers. Boult was unlikely to hang around for long and fended off a well-directed short ball to gully to give Finn somewhat flattering figures, but his strike-rate in Test cricket continues to be impressive.
Evening session: Eng 180/6 59 ovs
FOW: 159/3 Root b Southee 71 (120)
167/4: Bairstow b Southee 5
171/5: Prior c sub (Guptil) b Southee 0
171/6: Trott b Williamson 56
England 232 and 180 for 6 (Root 71, Trott 56, Southee 3-34) lead New Zealand 207 (Taylor 66, Williamson 60, Anderson 5-45, Finn 4-63) by 205 runs
This match refuses to reveal a favourite. Just as England appeared to have wrestled control away through a stand of 123 between Joe Root and Jonathan Trott, New Zealand surged back late in the day by taking 4 for 12, led by Tim Southee, to leave the contest tantalisingly balanced with the home side leading by 205 in conditions offering assistance to all bowlers.
Despite how the day ended, England's advantage is not inconsiderable on this surface. New Zealand will almost certainly have to score more than their first innings 207 to secure victory. Lord's pitches have, over recent years, got better for batting (or at least harder for wicket-taking) deeper into the match but this surface does not appear set to follow that trend and the ball continues to swing.
Root, having played outstandingly for his 71, was the first to fall during a collapse that began in the final hour, when he inside-edged Southee into the stumps playing a shot that was not as tight as the majority he had so correctly produced. Then Southee beat Jonny Bairstow with a full delivery that clipped the pads and Matt Prior's difficult game continued when he completed a pair by pulling softly to square leg. It was the first pair at Lord's by an England player picked, in a significant part, for their batting since Mark Ramprakash against West Indies in 1995.
A compelling passage of play continued when Kane Williamson, finding considerable turn that will give Graeme Swann every chance of being a match-winner, ripped one through the gate to bowl Trott (who had earlier been dropped at slip off the same bowler on 49) and suddenly the ill Ian Bell, who had spent the majority of New Zealand's innings off the field and the morning of the third day at the team hotel, had to emerge at No. 8 behind nightwatchman Steven Finn.
Root's innings was exceptional. England were wobbling on 36 for 2 - a lead of 61 - when he arrived, after Alastair Cook's problems with Trent Boult continued by edging a drive to third slip (his fourth dismissal against him in the four Tests this year) and Nick Compton was beaten by an inswinger from Neil Wagner in the next over.
Until Root dragged on the only moments of unease came with running between the wickets. A better throw from Brendon McCullum at cover would have found him short on 40; in the process of collecting the ball and trying to break the stumps, BJ Watling damaged his knee and needed to leave the field, which forced McCullum to take the gloves (although not the conventional keeping pads, instead using shinguards under his trousers).
Twice on 54 Root came close to being run out again. Martin Guptill, on as sub and New Zealand's best fielder, missed the stumps then Root had to dive for his ground after another poor call. Each time, however, he managed to refocus. Perhaps the occasionally frantic running was a result of England's increased urgency.
They certainly appeared more intent on not letting the bowlers settle and Root was central to this with numerous tip-and-runs.
He was strong square of the wicket, both cutting and driving elegantly off the back foot with a hint of his mentor Michael Vaughan, as he brought up his second Test fifty off 78 balls - rapid in the context of this game, if not quite Ross Taylor pace. The swiftness of footwork stood out, too, especially when he latched on to short deliveries from Bruce Martin, who did not have the same stifling effect of the first innings. Trott, meanwhile, played as he so often does and provided a reassuring presence at the other end although Root does not strike you as someone who needs calming in the middle.
The two teams continue to prove closer than the rankings would suggest. New Zealand began the day in the slightly stronger position, but they were quickly knocked back and their last six wickets fell for 52 as James Anderson received the support that had been lacking the previous day, with him and Finn sharing nine wickets.
England made the ideal start by removing McCullum in the first full over. He could have taken the game by scruff of the neck in a session but got a thin outside edge as he drove at Stuart Broad who, after being too short yesterday, immediately gained reward by pitching the ball up. McCullum thought he may have clipped his pad, not the ball, and used the DRS but there was a clear mark on Hot Spot.
With McCullum gone, England knew the risk of New Zealand racing away had diminished. Williamson, who took a painful blow in the box against the much-improved Broad and needed a few minutes to compose himself, moved to an excellent fifty from 158 balls - his back-foot play through off side continuing to stand out - before falling in the same manner to Root on Friday when he glanced down the leg side against Anderson who went on to complete his fourth five-wicket haul at Lord's when he beat Martin with a beauty to take off stump.
Finn, although remaining inconsistent, played his part in dispatching the lower order. He benefited from a disappointing lack of self-control from Southee who had clubbed three boundaries in three balls and could not resist hacking at a short delivery that was simply taken at cover. It was a waste. Finn also claimed the last two to end with somewhat flattering figures, although his strike-rate of 47.1 should not be overlooked. However, like England, there is improvement needed.
Decision of the day It was something of a surprise to see Stuart Broad given the opportunity to bowl from the Pavilion End at the start of the third day. Broad had been disappointing on day two while James Anderson, so impressive the previous evening, has tended to prefer that end. But the decision was immediately vindicated as Broad immediately settled to a far more probing, fuller length and claimed the important wicket of Brendon McCullum, drawn into pushing at one outside off stump, with his second legitimate delivery. It set the tone on a vastly improved England bowling performance which saw New Zealand lose their final seven wickets for just 60 runs, including 6 for 54 in the session. It gave England a first innings lead of 25 which seemed unlikely when New Zealand fourth-wicket pair were together on the second evening and trailing by only 85.
Comedown of the day
It is remarkable how quickly fortunes can change in cricket. The last time Matt Prior played a Test, he walked off having saved the match with a defiant century and, earlier this week, was the recipient of England's player of the year award. He will leave Lord's this week having suffered a pair and having dropped a catch in the first innings that, by his high standards, must be required relatively straightforward. In the second innings he attempted to pull the first short ball send down by Tim Southee but mistimed the shot and presented a simple catch to square leg. It made his decision to turn down an apparently comfortable single in the previous over all the more unfathomable. Prior remains a high-class player, but this has been a miserable game for him.
It is remarkable how quickly fortunes can change in cricket. The last time Matt Prior played a Test, he walked off having saved the match with a defiant century and, earlier this week, was the recipient of England's player of the year award. He will leave Lord's this week having suffered a pair and having dropped a catch in the first innings that, by his high standards, must be required relatively straightforward. In the second innings he attempted to pull the first short ball send down by Tim Southee but mistimed the shot and presented a simple catch to square leg. It made his decision to turn down an apparently comfortable single in the previous over all the more unfathomable. Prior remains a high-class player, but this has been a miserable game for him.
Ball of the day
James Anderson produced an absolute gem of a delivery to account for Bruce Martin. Set up with two searing inswingers, Anderson then produced one angled in to pitch middle and leg, but seaming away to clip the top of off stump. It was a delivery good enough to account for most batsmen and a fine way for Anderson to claim the 13th five-wicket haul of his Test career and the fourth at Lord's. Only two men have taken more five-wicket hauls at the ground: Sir Ian Botham, who claimed eight in 15 Tests and Fred Trueman, who claimed five in 12 Tests. This is Anderson's 13th Test at Lord's.
James Anderson produced an absolute gem of a delivery to account for Bruce Martin. Set up with two searing inswingers, Anderson then produced one angled in to pitch middle and leg, but seaming away to clip the top of off stump. It was a delivery good enough to account for most batsmen and a fine way for Anderson to claim the 13th five-wicket haul of his Test career and the fourth at Lord's. Only two men have taken more five-wicket hauls at the ground: Sir Ian Botham, who claimed eight in 15 Tests and Fred Trueman, who claimed five in 12 Tests. This is Anderson's 13th Test at Lord's.
Review of the day
New Zealand thought they had dismissed Alastair Cook from the second ball of the England second innings when he was drawn into a drive outside off stump by Trent Boult. The umpire, Aleem Dar, thought differently, so New Zealand utilised the DRS. The third umpire, Marais Erasmus, asked for audio and a blown-up image of Hot Spot but concluded there was not enough evidence to overturn the original decision. Part of the problem was that a white mark appeared on the Hot Spot image of the bat even before any possible contact with the ball, so the worth of the evidence was diluted. The noise from the stump microphone was also inconclusive, but Snicko - a device not available to the third umpire - later showed enough evidence to suggest Cook had edged the ball. He only scored 21 more runs but, had New Zealand struck early in England's second innings it is quite possible that nerves would have spread in the England dressing room. It is also worth noting that, earlier in the day, BJ Watling had walked after edging a catch in New Zealand's first innings before it later transpired that Hot Spot showed no mark. It was more supporting evidence for those who continue to doubt the value of the DRS.
New Zealand thought they had dismissed Alastair Cook from the second ball of the England second innings when he was drawn into a drive outside off stump by Trent Boult. The umpire, Aleem Dar, thought differently, so New Zealand utilised the DRS. The third umpire, Marais Erasmus, asked for audio and a blown-up image of Hot Spot but concluded there was not enough evidence to overturn the original decision. Part of the problem was that a white mark appeared on the Hot Spot image of the bat even before any possible contact with the ball, so the worth of the evidence was diluted. The noise from the stump microphone was also inconclusive, but Snicko - a device not available to the third umpire - later showed enough evidence to suggest Cook had edged the ball. He only scored 21 more runs but, had New Zealand struck early in England's second innings it is quite possible that nerves would have spread in the England dressing room. It is also worth noting that, earlier in the day, BJ Watling had walked after edging a catch in New Zealand's first innings before it later transpired that Hot Spot showed no mark. It was more supporting evidence for those who continue to doubt the value of the DRS.
Chance of the day
So secure did Joe Root and Jonathan Trott appear for most of their partnership that, for long periods, it seemed a run-out was the most likely mode of dismissal. Perhaps New Zealand's best chance came when Root had 40. Pushing the ball into the off side, he set off for a sharp single only to see Trott refuse to move. Root, turning in mid-pitch, would have been run out by some distance had McCullum's throw hit the stumps or had BJ Watling, rushing to take the ball from behind the stumps, been able to take the ball and remove the bails cleanly. As it was Root survived and Watling, who jarred his knee as he dived to take the throw, was forced off the pitch. McCullum took the gloves and kept wicket but did so without pads.
So secure did Joe Root and Jonathan Trott appear for most of their partnership that, for long periods, it seemed a run-out was the most likely mode of dismissal. Perhaps New Zealand's best chance came when Root had 40. Pushing the ball into the off side, he set off for a sharp single only to see Trott refuse to move. Root, turning in mid-pitch, would have been run out by some distance had McCullum's throw hit the stumps or had BJ Watling, rushing to take the ball from behind the stumps, been able to take the ball and remove the bails cleanly. As it was Root survived and Watling, who jarred his knee as he dived to take the throw, was forced off the pitch. McCullum took the gloves and kept wicket but did so without pads.
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