winph NZ Vs ENG 3rd Test: New Zealand Fight Back To Dash England's Hope For Clean Sweep On Day Two In Hamilton

Mitchell Santner (centre) shone with both bat and ball on day two Mitchell Santner (centre) shone with both bat and ball on day two

England's hopes of a series sweep of New Zealand all but evaporated on day two of the third Test in Hamiltonwinph, as they were skittled for 143 inside 36 overs. (More Cricket News)

The Black Caps later took up the bat to reach 136-3 by stumps, their commanding 340-run lead making a consolation victory overwhelmingly likely, following defeats in Christchurch and Wellington.

When Mitchell Santner's knock of 76 was finally ended by Matthew Potts to bring the curtain down on New Zealand's first innings early on Sunday, the tourists were hoping to eat into a 347-run deficit.

However, their batting was dreadful either side of a 52-run stand shared by Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes, losing their first two wickets for 33 runs inside five overs, and their other eight for just 63 in the space of 20 overs.

Matt Henry finished with figures of 4-48 for the hosts, having made the all-important breakthrough by dismissing Zak Crawley (21) and Ben Duckett (11) in the fifth over, the Black Caps bowler taking a brilliant return catch from the former.

Spinner Will O'Rourke added three wickets in eight balls – including those of Harry Brook (duck) and Joe Root (32) – midway through the innings, while Santner swept through the tail with figures of 3-7.

Back at the crease far earlier than they would have anticipated, New Zealand quickly set about building on their commanding first-innings lead. 

The first quarter started off on a very strong note for South Korea as they displayed a very attacking brand of hockey. Jihun Yang also converted a penalty corner to give them the lead. 

Starting the tournament as clear favourites, Paris Olympics bronze-medallists India haven't disappointed so far, beating hosts China 3-0, Japan 5-1, trouncing Malaysia 8-1 before registering a 3-1 victory against Korea in their last match.

Will Young made a quick 60 before falling victim to Stokes' bowling, with the England skipper then following up with the wicket of O'Rourke (duck) two overs later, but barring a stunning turnaround, it will be a case of too little, too late for the tourists.

big win 777

A 340-run lead at Stumps on Day 2 in Kirikiriroa - Hamilton. Half centuries for Will Young (60) and Kane Williamson (50*) helping push the lead towards 350 after a strong team performance in the field earlier in the day. Catch up on all scores | https://t.co/gATDuNhj6S  #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/gKQiiA34eD

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 15, 2024

Data Debrief: Santner bookends big day for hosts

Day two began with Santner bringing up 1,000 Test runs by slamming Potts' delivery for a four, and it ended with the returning all-rounder scalping three wickets as England wilted with the bat.

New Zealand Vs England, 3rd Test, Day 2: NZ lead ENG By 340 As Henry, O'Rourke Shine

BY Associated Press

While the tourists have already wrapped up victory in the serieswinph, their hopes of becoming just the third visiting team to secure a red-ball sweep in the country appear all but over.