New Zealand vs England: Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson take three wickets apiece as tourists fight back on day one in Hamilton

Gus Atkinson took his 50th Test wicket in 11 appearances for England; Tim Southee hit 23 runs off 10 balls in his penultimate Test innings; New Zealand's captain Tom Latham (63) and Mitchell Santner (50no) both scored half-centuries as the hosts slipped from 105-0 to 315-9 at stumps

Saturday 14 December 2024 07:31, UK

Matthew Potts and Gus Atkinson took three wickets apiece as England reduced New Zealand to 315-9 on day one of the third and final Test in Hamilton.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham (63) and Will Young (42) shared a 105-run opening stand after being inserted, making the most of the batting-friendly wicket at Seddon Park, and guided the hosts safely to 93-0 at lunch before they were removed by Potts (3-75) and Atkinson (3-55) respectively at 105-1 and 142-2.

England's pace attack accounted for all nine wickets, initiating a slump that saw New Zealand fall from 185-3 to 231-7 in the evening session, carelessly losing four wickets for just 46 runs, with Atkinson grabbing his 50th Test scalp in just 11 appearances.

Tim Southee (23), playing in his final Test, was greeted with a guard of honour by England and played an entertaining knock comprising of three sixes - taking his Test tally to 98 - and one four in his 10-ball outing before he was removed by Atkinson.

Harry Brook took a sensational juggling catch on the boundary rope to dismiss Matt Henry (8) and gift Ben Stokes (1-86) his solitary wicket after the England skipper toiled for 23 overs in the bright sunshine.

Mitchell Santner's (50no) late onslaught took New Zealand past 300 and he smashed the final ball of the day over long-off for six to bring up his half-century as he remains at the crease alongside Will O'Rourke (0no).

England, who claimed the series after victories in Christchurch and Wellington, are hoping to become the third touring side to take a 3-0 clean sweep in New Zealand.

New Zealand squander good start

Atkinson made the breakthrough for England post-lunch after Young caught an outside edge to Brook at second slip, the Yorkshireman taking a good, low grab.

Latham raised his 31st Test half-century - and first in seven innings - with a straight drive off Atkinson's half-volley for four, reaching his milestone from 102 balls, but he then edged Potts behind to Ollie Pope to fall for 63.

Carse, who bowled Kane Williamson while overstepping during the second Test, almost made the same mistake again with Rachin Ravindra (18) on strike after the New Zealand No 4 loosely steered to Ben Duckett at gully, but this time there was no reprieve for the hosts.

Williamson (44) was dismissed in the most unfortunate manner after he fended a length ball into the pitch and tried to kick it away from the stumps but instead watched it trickle onto his middle stump, gifting Potts a wicket.

Daryl Mitchell (14) got off the mark on the 20th ball he faced as he drove Atkinson for consecutive boundaries but mistimed a fuller delivery and picked out Stokes at mid-off, handing the Surrey seamer his 50th scalp.

Blundell hit four boundaries but squandered his start after chipping a full ball from Carse to Jacob Bethell at cover point as the hosts fell to 231-7.

Stokes’ short-ball tactic eventually paid dividends as Henry hooked out to Brook who took the catch above his head, threw it up before his momentum took him over the boundary rope, and then hopped back to complete the dismissal.

Southee’s three maximums took him to 98 Test sixes but he ballooned a fuller delivery off Atkinson, going for his 99th maximum, allowing Carse plenty of time to settle beneath it as the 36-year-old departed to a standing ovation.

Santner’s late blitz helped lift New Zealand late in the day after the hosts failed to build on another good start, but they remain under-par at Seddon Park against a threatening England attack who will be hoping to bowl them out early in the morning session of day two.