Harry Brook Slams 171, England Take Total Control Of 1st Test vs New Zealand

A sustained seam attack by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse following a belligerent batting effort saw England on the verge of wrapping up the first Test at stumps on day three in Christchurch on Saturday. New Zealand were 155-6 at the close, ahead by just four runs and with only four wickets remaining. Daryl Mitchell was not out 31 with Nathan Smith on one. England made 499 in their first innings, an imposing 151-run lead, led by Harry Brook's 171. "We're in an amazing position to go on and win the game," said Brook, who benefitted from five dropped catches. "I had a lot of luck, didn't I. and thankfully I cashed in."

New Zealand were hurting at the fielding errors with Brook adding 153 after he was first dropped on 18.

"Fielding's something we pride ourselves on and that's the part that hurts," said seamer Matt Henry.

"We work hard on it and it's usually where we turn a game on its head. So obviously it hurts when chances go down."

Brook's knock was supported by 80 from captain Ben Stokes and 77 from Ollie Pope.

It was then the turn of England's seamers as New Zealand's salvage attempt faltered at the start with Tom Latham caught by Brook for one to give Woakes his first wicket in the third over.

Devon Conway was on eight when his attempt to pull Carse to the boundary was miscued to Gus Atkinson at mid-on and New Zealand were tottering at 23-2.

Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra set about stitching the innings together as they put on 41 for the third wicket before Ravindra went for 24.

The left-hander could not resist pulling a short ball from Carse but failed to get on top of the bounce and was caught by Jacob Bethell waiting at mid-wicket.

Woakes returned to remove Williamson and Tom Blundell in successive balls to end