Alastair Cook and Ian Bell survived a probing last hour under the lights and head into the fourth day on a mission to turn around England’s fortunes in the first Test against New Zealand.
The tourists made 523 thanks to Kane Williamson’s 132 – giving them a first-innings lead of 134 runs – before the removal of Adam Lyth and Gary Ballance left the home side gasping for air on 25 for two. Cook and Bell held firm to reach the close unbeaten on 32 and 29 respectively and will resume needing another 60 runs to wipe off the deficit before they can think about wresting back control.
“They are senior players and have shown everyone how to do it. The lads put up a good fight and we will need fighters the next two days,” said Mark Wood, who claimed figures of three for 93 on his debut.
“That last hour, the way they played was tremendous. I was nervous as nightwatchman. If we get past and build a big lead, we can knock them over. We’ve got to dig our heels in and someone needs to get a big score.”
It was a satisfying turnaround for the sparky Durham fast bowler on a personal level after being denied his maiden wicket on the second day when he overstepped in his delivery stride when the New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was caught at first slip.
“I make a point of not bowling no-balls in training but in games I creep up a bit,” he said. “The umpire mentioned I was tight. But I haven’t bowled one since the one that cost me the wicket. I was elated to finally get the wicket. Relief would be the perfect way to describe it as that no-ball was the best and worst feeling I’ve had in cricket.”
“I didn’t sleep for three days before the start of this Test but I have thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. I bowled 13 overs yesterday and I was as tired as if I’d bowled 30 in county cricket, such is the intensity. Today, I forgot the crowd and the cameras and ran in and bowled. Once the nerves had calmed, I showed people what I could do.”
Williamson, who became the eighth Test player to score 10 centuries before the age of 25, was satisfied with his own transition from Twenty20 cricket in the Indian Premier League and going into the game without a warm-up. “It is nice to get your name on the board,” he said. “The challenge is the mental transition from a shorter format to the longer one and make good decisions over a longer period of time.”
