After setting up a world record 481 to win, reduce England to 90 for 4
England will have to survive 90 overs with only six second-innings wickets intact on the final day of the third Test to avoid losing a Test series in New Zealand for the first time in 30 years.
England went to stumps Monday at 90-4 with Ian Bell 8 not out after New Zealand, leading by 239 runs on the first innings, declared its second innings at 241-6 and gave the tourists the almost impossible task of scoring a world record 481 to win the match.
The largest total achieved by any team in a successful fourth innings run-chase was the West Indies’ 415 against Australia 10 years ago. Only England, for a draw, and New Zealand, in defeat, have scored more than 450 in the fourth innings of a test.
“We’re under a lot of pressure in the last day but we’ve still got players who have been picked to play test cricket,” England batting coach Graham Gooch said in a radio interview. “They’ve got good test records, we’ve got some good young players and two experienced batsmen to come so we have to believe we can save the game.”
New Zealand’s hopes of claiming its first home series victory over England since 1983-84 rose sharply when it dismissed Nick Compton (2) in the second over of the innings. It peaked again when Jonathan Trott (37) was dismissed in the 24th over to leave England 60-2.
The most bitter blow for England was when Alastair Cook (43) and Steve Finn (0) fell just before stumps.
Cook, who had curbed ever attacking instinct in his three hour vigil, hitting only four fours, drove at part-time spinner Kane Williamson less than four overs from stumps and was caught at slip by Dean Brownlie. England lost its third and fourth wicket with the total at 90 during a series of seven maiden overs.
Brief Scores
New Zealand: 443 & 241/6 dec (Fulton 110, McCullum 67*) lead England: 204 & 90/4 (Cook 43, Williamson 2-5) by 391 runs.