CRICKET

England v New Zealand live: Third Test, day three

Stokes rotated his attack well in the evening session to prompt a flurry of wickets
Stokes rotated his attack well in the evening session to prompt a flurry of wickets
REUTERS/LEE SMITH

Simon Wilde writes: By the standards of this madcap series, this was one of the quieter days. These things are relative, though. A lot still happened, often at breathless speed. The run rate was above 3.6 for the seventh time in nine days, and for the fifth time in the series nine or more wickets fell. In the final session, as England turned the screw in the field, the atmosphere was electric as the home team and the Western Terrace sensed blood.

Overall, England gained further rewards for maintaining tactics that refused to allow their opponents to feel at ease. Playing unconventional cricket creates its own useful disruption and New Zealand are looking like a side close to sinking under the weight of assault they