Twitter Reactions: England in commanding position as New Zealand batters falter on day 3

The third Test between England and New Zealand took another exciting turn on the third day as England came in a strong position after the end of the day’s play. The New Zealand batting duo of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, once again find themselves in the firing line as they have got all to do for the visitors. New Zealand lead by 137 runs as the rain stopped play in the final session on day 3.

England batters continued with their assault from the previous day as Jonny Bairstow, and Jamie Overton stitched a 241-run stand for the seventh wicket. But the latter failed miserably short of a memorable Test century on debut after being dismissed for a well-made 97. Bairstow meanwhile, continued on his merry way and notched up the second-fastest 150 by an Englishman in Tests.

The packed crowd at Leeds rose to applaud the batter’s sensational innings when he was dismissed for 162 runs in 157 deliveries. If Bairstow and Overton hadn’t already deflated the Kiwi’s bowler enough, Stuart Broad certainly rubbed salt to their wounds, when he came out swinging with the bat and scored a belligerent 42 of just 36 deliveries. From struggling at 55-6, England completed a miraculous recovery that saw them take a lead of 31 runs over New Zealand’s first innings tally of 329 runs.

New Zealand players looked jaded when they walked off the pitch after dismissing the English batters, But Tom Latham came out with a positive mindset and played his shots. The southpaw was unaffected by the early dismissal of Will Young and was involved in a 97-run partnership with the returning Kane Williamson for the third wicket. But the southpaw fell soon after Tea after scoring a fluent 76.

The Kiwis need another miraculous recovery from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell

The Blackcaps were in a strong position even after Latham’s dismissal as they walked off the pitch due to interruption by rain with the scoreboard reading 152/2. The brief break due to the rain proved unceremonious for the Kiwis as they lost Devon Conway on the first delivery after the rain break. Skipper Kane Williamson followed the southpaw a couple of overs later as was dismissed by Matt Potts for the third time this series after a steady 48.

Stokes’s captaincy has been really on point in this series, as he brought in Jack Leach against Henry Nicholls, who has struggled against left-arm spinners in the fourth innings, and it proved to be a masterstroke as Leach sent the southpaw packing at the score of just seven runs. The only hope for the Blackcaps, who were 168/5 after the end of the day’s play, is the presence of their two protagonists Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell at the crease.

Here is how Twitter reacted to day three of the ENG vs NZ game

Bairtsow is just unstoppable scored 162 & I feel sad for Overton missed out a well deserved century in Debut😭
And for blackaps Latham gave a fine start but now again michell & blundell need to carry out the innings to stay in the game.#ENGvNZ

— Existential Crisis 💢 (@urstrulyaadi) June 25, 2022

England bowling against NZ

England bowling against Daryl Mitchell and tom blundell. #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/8foTwZBrin

— ᏚнᥲɪLᴇsʜ sʜᴀʀᴍᴀ 🏏 (@Shaileshh_07) June 25, 2022

#ENGvNZ #skysports here we go! Bit of success and Stokes is the new Messiah! In 2 weeks they’ll be knocking him down again!

— David (@djb0607) June 25, 2022

Cricket is the winner #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/R9GXvIiaIi

— Azeem Rafiq (@AzeemRafiq30) June 25, 2022

Is it lack of seam bowling cost @BLACKCAPS to losing their series against @englandcricket ? No one is there who can bowl hit the deck above 140kmp.@ICC #ENGvNZ

— Cricssip (@cricssip) June 25, 2022

Just how about @MattyJPotts? Speaks as well as he plays. A real find, and surely a great future with @englandcricket! So encouraging to see when Jimmy and Broady eventually decide to hang up their bowling boots… 👏🏏 #ENGvNZ #SkySports pic.twitter.com/jtCr2Pymsg

— Fraser Masefield (@thesportsmuppet) June 25, 2022

Final session charge puts England in strong position 🏏

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvNZ 🇳🇿

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 25, 2022

I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying England captain Ben Stokes.

I admit I didn’t expect it.

Seeing cricketers having fun is wonderful. #ENGvNZ

— lauren jones 🏏🧀 (@only_for_mdl) June 25, 2022

New Zealand end Day 3 on 168-5 after rain stopped play. They are leading by 137 Runs With Tom Blundell (5*) and Daryl Mitchell (4*) both are Still in the middle.#ENGvNZ #Cricket pic.twitter.com/XAYlkPIvZq

— Rahul Choudhary (@Rahulc7official) June 25, 2022

#ENGvNZ Test Series
3️⃣rdTest – Day3️⃣@ #Headingley

3️⃣ quick wickets at the end of the day put @englandcricket in charge after day 3️⃣ of the final test verses @BLACKCAPS

Is the WHITEWASH on?!?!

Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/tYcsfhVish pic.twitter.com/ZclHE9TSg7

— #BURNLEYBLOKE (@BlokeFromBFC) June 25, 2022