It was a day where the pendulum and momentum swayed from one way to the other. However, New Zealand and England finished the first day of the third Test in Hamilton almost on even terms.
At one point, New Zealand were in a position to dominate proceedings before England pulled things back. And when the latter seemed to be in control, the hosts tilted the momentum back in the balance. It started with New Zealand’s top-order getting solid starts before the England pacers hit back with wickets at regular intervals. But the day ended with the New Zealand lower order finishing with a flurry of big overs and boundaries.
England won the toss and opted to bowl first in overcast conditions and a greenish pitch. Despite challenging conditions, New Zealand started the third Test positively. Will Young who came in place of Devon Conway forged an excellent opening partnership alongside skipper Tom Latham.
The duo added 93 runs in the opening session. England could not find a breakthrough in the 27 overs they bowled in the morning session. There were a few plays and misses and a few boundaries through edges. But apart from that, both New Zealand openers looked pretty solid.
Latham started with three boundaries post-lunch, but Gus Atkinson gave England the much-needed breakthrough as he forced the edge from Young, who was dismissed for 42. That wicket spurred England on. They beat the bat a lot more and induced more false shots.
The New Zealand captain got to his 31st Test fifty and first of the series but he was dropped in the very same over. Williamson also had a slightly iffy start as he was beaten a couple of times and was hit on the body. But just when things were easing out, Latham fell as he was strangled down the legside.
Rachin Ravindra started positively as he raced to 17 off nine balls, hitting four boundaries. But he couldn’t cash in on the start as he edged one straight to gully.
England pick six wickets in the last session before Santner, Southee counter-attack

Post Tea, Williamson played one back onto his stumps to give Potts his second wicket. Daryll Mitchell struck a few boundaries before last game’s centurion Tom Blundell was dropped by Joe Root at first slip. However, it didn’t cost much as New Zealand lost three wickets in quick succession.
The three main England pacers got a wicket each as Mitchell, Blundell and Glenn Phillips fell in the space of 33 balls. At 231/7, New Zealand were in trouble and seemed like being bowled out quickly.
However, Mitchell Santner shared a 41-run stand with Matt Henry before the left-arm spinner launched a counter-attack alongside Tim Southee who was greeted with a guard of honour in his final Test match.
Southee smashed three sixes and one four in his 10-ball stay at the crease where he made 23. Meanwhile, Santner notched up a superb half-century which came off just 54 balls. He hit seven fours and two sixes in the process as New Zealand ended the day on 315/9.
BRIEF SCORES: New Zealand 315/9 (Tom Latham 63, Mitchell Santner 50*, Kane Williamson 44, Gus Atkinson 3/55, Matthew Potts 3/75) vs England.