The third day of the first Test between England and New Zealand had a moment that could potentially be game-changing. Ben Stokes was bowled by Colin de Grandhomme in the fourth innings of the Lord’s Test but the umpire had to call back the England skipper as the bowler overstepped.
Chasing 277, England were four down and still needed 201 runs to win when Stokes charged down to de Grandhomme and dragged one onto the stumps.
The Kiwi players celebrated wildly as they reduced the hosts to 76/5, with their captain Kane Williamson also walking back. However, the replays showed it was a no-ball, and the umpire called back the batter amidst huge cheers from the home fans.
Stokes made the Kiwis pay for it as he went on to score 54 and added 86 runs more with Joe Root for the fifth wicket after the incident. He was eventually dismissed trying to play a funky shot off a short ball by Kyle Jamieson.
Root then took the charge of innings and added an unbroken 57-run stand with Ben Foakes. At the end of the third day’s play, the former captain remained unbeaten on 77 while Foakes was on nine. England still need 61 more runs to win the match and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Earlier in the day, Daryl Mitchell brought up his second Test century, and he, alongside Tom Blundell, had put the visitors in the driving seat.
But Stuart Broad inspired a big collapse out of nowhere as he dismissed Mitchell and Jamieson in three balls with a de Grandhomme run-out in between by Ollie Pope. From 251/4, NZ lost their way to 285 all-out.
The Kiwis, however, came out with an aggressive mindset and reduced England to 69/4, with a bit of help from England’s familiar batting woes. Jamieson was outstanding with the ball, picking four for 59. With England needing 61 to win, New Zealand bowlers need to put up a strong performance on the fourth day morning to snatch the victory.
