New Zealand VS England Test Series 
1st Test Played at Lords, England From 3 -7 June 2022
Brief Score Card at Stumps Day Three: 
New Zealand 1st Innings 132 All Out in 40 Overs (Colin de Grandhomme 42*, Tim Southee 26, Trent Boult 14, Tom Blundell 14, Matthew Potts 4/13, James Anderson 4/66) 
New Zealand 2nd Innings 285 All Out in 91.3 Overs (Daryl Mitchell 108, Tom Blundell 96, Tim Southee 20, Kane Williamson 15, Matthew Potts 2/50, Stuart Broad 1/47, James Anderson 1/49) 
England 1st Innings 141 All Out in 42.5 Overs (Zak Crawley 43, Alex Hales 25, Extras 22, Trent Boult 3/21, Kyle Jamieson 2/20, Tim Southee 4/55) 

England 2nd Innings 216/5 in 65 Overs (Joe Root 77*, Ben Stokes 54, Kyle Jamieson 4/59 

England trails by 61 runs with 5 second innings wicket at hand 

In the first three days of Lords test of fluctuating fortune when the pendulum swung from end to end host England appears to have assumed control at the stumps of day three. They need another 61 runs to win the test. However, New Zealand can still pip England to the post if they can few early wickets in the first session of day four. 

English bowlers; Potts, Broad and Anderson bowling well in tandem could restrict New Zealand to 285 taking the last 6 wickets for 49 runs. Then they overcame the early loss of 4 wickets for 69 to finish the day at 216/5. With world-class Joe Root batting on 77 odds are in favor of England. 35 wickets falling in three days made the test bowling dominated so far. 

Two overnight not-out batsmen Mitchell (97*) and Blundell (90*) could not start on the same vein as they did on day two. First Blundell was gone scoring 96 missing a golden opportunity for inscribing name in the honors board of lords for 4 runs. Mitchell also left scoring 108. 

New Zealand could set a target of 277 which few thought at least 50 runs too less for comfort. One must appreciate the planned bowling of English seam bowlers – rookie Potts and veterans Anderson, Broad.  

Kiwi bowlers made early strides into English second innings reducing them to 4/69. Kyle Jameison was looking ominous. Two Champion English batsmen Joe Root (77*) and Ben Stokes (54) salvaged England with 90 runs 5th wicket partnership before Jamieson created a little tremor yet again removing Stokes. 

However, with Root batting at his best and Foakes giving him support odds are in favor of England. But nothing can be taken for guaranteed. Early wicket on day four can still tilt the balance. Such contests in test match keeps admirers engaged.  A fascinating contest of willow ad leather has been seen so far. 

BDST: 1245 HRS, June 5, 2022
SMS