Sports Desk

Half-centuries from Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner ensured New Zealand reached a respectable 315 for 9 on the opening day of the third Test against England in Hamilton.

Despite an opening partnership of 105, the Black Caps faltered in the middle session before Santner’s unbeaten 50 from 54 balls and a lively cameo from Tim Southee steadied the ship.

New Zealand started strongly after being sent in by England under overcast skies, with Latham and stand-in opener Will Young – replacing Devon Conway, who is on paternity leave – combining for the hosts’ best opening stand of the series.

They navigated the first session unscathed, reaching lunch at 93 without loss. However, the steady progress unraveled as England capitalised on loose shot-making, reducing New Zealand to 231 for 7 before a late surge added valuable runs.

Southee, playing his final Test, smashed three sixes in a 10-ball knock of 23, including two consecutive maximums off Ben Stokes to bring his career tally to 98.

Santner, struck on the helmet by a Stokes bouncer earlier in his innings, recovered to hammer a six off the final ball of the day and bring up his half-century in style.

Latham anchored the innings with a composed 63, building on the momentum created by Young’s fluent 42.

The pair eased their way through a testing opening hour, negotiating a pitch offering some early assistance to the bowlers.

Young, though streaky at times, struck 10 boundaries, including several crisp drives and cuts.

The partnership was finally broken when Gus Atkinson, returning to the England side, found Young’s edge to Harry Brook at second slip. Latham, dropped twice on 12 and 53 by Ben Duckett, eventually fell to Matthew Potts, caught down the leg side for 63.

Kane Williamson, who had been unaccustomed to waiting so long to bat in this series, made a promising 44 before a bizarre dismissal.

Attempting to fend a ball back to Potts, Williamson was undone as it rolled off his boot and into the stumps.

After lunch, England’s bowlers tightened their grip, with Brydon Carse and Potts inducing loose shots from the middle order. Rachin Ravindra fell cheaply, chipping Carse to gully, while Daryl Mitchell holed out to mid-off attempting an ambitious drive.

Glenn Phillips’ reckless slash outside off stump found Zak Crawley at backward point, while Tom Blundell was well caught by Jacob Bethell at cover.

England’s sharp fielding was epitomised by Brook’s acrobatic effort to dismiss Matt Henry.

Positioned at deep square leg, Brook parried a hooking shot from Stokes back into play before completing the catch upon re-entry.

Santner’s knock was crucial in lifting New Zealand out of trouble. Mixing grit with aggression, he added vital runs with the tail.

Southee, in his farewell match, entertained the crowd with his audacious hitting, dispatching the first ball of the second new ball for six over midwicket.

England’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Atkinson, in his first appearance of the series, claimed 3 for 55, while Potts picked up 3 for 75. Carse chipped in with two wickets despite some inconsistent spells.