After being left with a run mountain to climb if they are to take anything from the second Test, England have conceded they once again stumbled in the game’s key moments. Just as they did throughout the winter they have allowed their opponents to take control. The upshot is that New Zealand go into day four with a lead of 352 and seven second-innings wickets remaining.
Since the Ashes Brendon McCullum, the England head coach, has spoken of the need to “be slightly smarter in those significant moments”, and to “identify moments where games can be won or lost and win more of those than not”. But in dressing-room conversations he has admitted that ambition remains unfulfilled.
“In this game in particular, which is something Baz has spoken about, key moments we’ve just not got right,” said Matt Fisher. “But you can’t change that and the New Zealanders have capitalised on it.
“We’ll come back, front up like we always do, try and get some early wickets and give them a bit of a headache, try and bowl them out and see what we can do on a pretty flat wicket. It’s not easy to keep the scoring down … we’ll be looking to be proactive and that’s why a couple of early poles really gives them a headache.”
Playing in his second Test, and having failed to score off the five balls he faced on his first outing in Barbados four years ago, Fisher started the day with an unbeaten half-century, adding 53 runs for the last wicket with Sonny Baker – who scored a dogged 36-ball four on debut – without which England’s position would be even less encouraging.
“A couple of days ago we were in the indoor school, feeding each other on the [bowling] machine,” Fisher said. “We knew each other’s game a bit more from that, and what kind of role we were going to play in the partnership. He was brilliant and resilient at the other end. As a bowler you’re dreaming about wickets, but I came off saying that batting’s a bit more enjoyable than bowling sometimes.”
After losing two early wickets at the start of their second innings New Zealand produced a 161‑run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls, who, having stepped into the No 3 spot vacated by Kane Williamson, reached stumps unbeaten on 119. “It wasn’t easy in periods,” said Matt Henry. “They had to absorb a little bit and then they chose their moments to put the pressure back on. I’m just so happy for them and especially Toey [Nicholls].”
The question for the tourists to debate overnight is how many runs they require to put the game completely beyond England and how long it might take them to bowl them out.
“To be able to take 20 wickets you’re going to need a lot of energy in the tank, so giving the bowlers a bit of rest is important,” Henry said. “Those conversations I’m sure will be had at some stage. At the moment, there’s a lot of time. It’s probably freshen up tonight and come here with fresh minds tomorrow.”
