England found just enough late resistance to keep the third Test alive after New Zealand’s record opening stand threatened to bury Ben Stokes’ side on day one at Trent Bridge.
New Zealand closed on 361 for four after winning the toss, but the scoreline looked far kinder to England than it had when Tom Latham and Devon Conway had dragged the tourists to 317 without loss.
Latham made 151 and Conway 157, a partnership the ECB billed in its highlights feed as a record opening stand before England’s late wickets changed the tone of the evening.
England Find A Late Route Back
Stokes made the first break by removing Latham, before Joe Root accounted for Conway. Gus Atkinson then had Rachin Ravindra caught by Jamie Smith, and Jofra Archer followed with Henry Nicholls to close the day with New Zealand suddenly four down.
The late shift mattered because England had spent two sessions chasing the game on a flat surface and in punishing heat. As ESPNcricinfo’s report noted, the tourists were still firmly ahead, but England had at least prevented a wicketless first day.
The context is awkward for Stokes. His return, covered in ReadCricket’s build-up to the Trent Bridge decider, came with England already under pressure after defeat at The Oval.
New Zealand remain in control. Yet Archer and Atkinson’s closing burst means day two begins with England chasing a route back, not simply damage limitation.
