England 232 and 180 for 6 (Root 71, Trott 56, Southee 3-34) lead New Zealand 207 (Taylor 66, Williamson 60, Anderson 5-45, Finn 4-63) by 205 runs
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This match refuses to reveal a favourite. Just as England appeared to
have wrestled control away through a stand of 123 between Joe Root and
Jonathan Trott, New Zealand surged back late in the day by taking 4 for
12, led by Tim Southee, to leave the contest tantalisingly balanced with
the home side leading by 205 in conditions offering assistance to all
bowlers.
Despite how the day ended, England's advantage is not inconsiderable on
this surface. New Zealand will almost certainly have to score more than
their first innings 207 to secure victory. Lord's pitches have, over
recent years, got better for batting (or at least harder for
wicket-taking) deeper into the match but this surface does not appear
set to follow that trend and the ball continues to swing. Their was less
movement, though, when the sun popped out so New Zealand will look
skywards. Either side Root and Trott, 12 wickets fell for 100 on the
third day.
Root, having played outstandingly for his 71, was the first to fall
during a collapse that began in the final hour, when he inside-edged
Southee into the stumps playing a shot that was not as tight as the
majority he had so correctly produced. Then Southee beat Jonny Bairstow
with a full delivery that clipped the pads and Matt Prior's difficult
game continued when he completed a pair by pulling softly to square leg.
It was the first pair at Lord's by an England player picked, in a
significant part, for their batting since Mark Ramprakash against West
Indies in 1995.
A compelling passage of play continued when Kane Williamson, finding
considerable turn that will give Graeme Swann every chance of being a
match-winner, ripped one through the gate to bowl Trott (who had earlier
been dropped at slip off the same bowler on 49) and suddenly the ill
Ian Bell, who had spent the majority of New Zealand's innings off the
field and the morning of the third day at the team hotel, had to emerge
at No. 8 behind nightwatchman Steven Finn.
Root's innings was exceptional. England were wobbling on 36 for 2 - a
lead of 61 - when he arrived, after Alastair Cook's problems with Trent
Boult continued by edging a drive to third slip (his fourth dismissal
against him in the four Tests this year) and Nick Compton was beaten by
an inswinger from Neil Wagner in the next over. The stand that followed
was comfortably the highest of the match.
Until Root dragged on the only moments of unease came with running
between the wickets. A better throw from Brendon McCullum at cover would
have found him short on 40; in the process of collecting the ball and
trying to break the stumps, BJ Watling damaged his knee and needed to
leave the field, which forced McCullum to take the gloves (although not
the conventional keeping pads, instead using shinguards under his
trousers).
Twice on 54 Root came close to being run out again. Martin Guptill, on
as sub and New Zealand's best fielder, missed the stumps then Root had
to dive for his ground after another poor call. Each time, however, he
managed to refocus. Perhaps the occasionally frantic running was a
result of England's increased urgency. They certainly appeared more
intent on not letting the bowlers settle and Root was central to this
with numerous tip-and-runs.
He was strong square of the wicket, both cutting and driving elegantly
off the back foot with a hint of his mentor Michael Vaughan, as he
brought up his second Test fifty off 78 balls - rapid in the context of
this game, if not quite Ross Taylor pace. The swiftness of footwork
stood out, too, especially when he latched on to short deliveries from
Bruce Martin, who did not have the same stifling effect of the first
innings. Trott, meanwhile, played as he so often does and provided a
reassuring presence at the other end although Root does not strike you
as someone who needs calming in the middle.
The two teams continue to prove closer than the rankings would suggest.
New Zealand began the day in the slightly stronger position, but they
were quickly knocked back and their last six wickets fell for 52 as
James Anderson received the support that had been lacking the previous
day, with him and Finn sharing nine wickets.
England made the ideal start by removing McCullum in the first full
over. He could have taken the game by scruff of the neck in a session
but got a thin outside edge as he drove at Stuart Broad who, after being
too short yesterday, immediately gained reward by pitching the ball up.
McCullum thought he may have clipped his pad, not the ball, and used
the DRS but there was a clear mark on Hot Spot.
With McCullum gone, England knew the risk of New Zealand racing away had
diminished. Williamson, who took a painful blow in the box against the
much-improved Broad and needed a few minutes to compose himself, moved
to an excellent fifty from 158 balls - his back-foot play through off
side continuing to stand out - before falling in the same manner to Root
on Friday when he glanced down the leg side against Anderson who went
on to complete his fourth five-wicket haul at Lord's when he beat Martin
with a beauty to take off stump.
Finn, although remaining inconsistent, played his part in dispatching
the lower order. He benefited from a disappointing lack of self-control
from Southee who had clubbed three boundaries in three balls and could
not resist hacking at a short delivery that was simply taken at cover.
It was a waste. Finn also claimed the last two to end with somewhat
flattering figures, although his strike-rate of 47.1 should not be
overlooked. However, like England, there is still improvement needed.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
Feeds: Andrew McGlashan
© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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