Black Caps v England recap: Third test, day three from Hamilton’s Seddon Park

The Black Caps celebrate the wicket of Ben Duckett in Hamilton. Photo / Photosport

• The Black Caps have set England 658 to win the third and final test, at Hamilton’s Seddon Park
• The tourists reached the close of play at 18-2, after Tim Southee and Matt Henry struck with the ball
• Kane Williamson scored his 33rd test century, with 156

New Zealand enjoy dominant day two of third test at Seddon Park

There will be a temptation to wonder what might have been when England head home next week with trophies in tow.

None of the Black Caps’ efforts at Seddon Park on Sunday – impressive though they were while reaching stumps with a 340-run lead and seven second-innings wickets in hand – can prevent fans from pondering a couple of questions in the coming days.

What if Will Young had been permitted to build on his match-winning form and the home side started this series with a 100-run opening stand, instead of averaging 8.5 in their first four innings?

And what if Mitchell Santner were given an earlier chance to return to the bowling crease for the first time since recording the third-best match figures by a New Zealander in test history?

Both hypotheticals were impossible to ignore as the hosts enjoyed their most dominant day of England’s tour, but the biggest difference between the dead rubber and the opening two tests involved neither recalled player.

In Christchurch, England were in a perilous position on 71-4 in reply to 348 when Harry Brook responded by blasting 171. In Wellington, the tourists were under serious pressure on 43-4 when Brook bashed his side out of trouble with a rapid 123.

But in Hamilton, with England on 77-3 and Brook having earlier in the week been elevated to top spot in the world rankings, Will O’Rourke dismissed the dynamo for the first golden duck of his career.

That wicket wasn’t solely responsible for England crumbing to 143 on the second day of the third test, giving the hosts a 204-run lead they proceeded to comfortably pad in the final session.

England’s batting was insipid from 1 through 11, squandering good conditions with poor shot selection while losing their last eight wickets for 66 runs inside 20 overs. And O’Rourke (3-33) combined well with Santner (3-7) and Matt Henry (4-48), allowing Tim Southee to relish his retirement test while sending down 11 non-threatening overs.

But the wicket of Brook – coming when he attempted to defend a length ball that nipped back to clip inside edge and leg bail – was as decisive as one delivery could be.

The 25-year-old will soon collect a well-earned player-of-the-series trophy, his opponents left to console themselves with what should be a consolation win. It will be Brook’s second in as many tours to New Zealand, having claimed the same prize in February 2023.

Read the full report from day two here