Matthew Potts leads England's fightback against New Zealand's scoring spree

In New Zealand, during the first day of the third Test match, the hosts had a challenging start after they were put in to bat by England captain Ben Stokes. The New Zealand team managed to reach 315 runs for the loss of nine wickets by the end of the day. Tom Latham and Will Young opened the innings without losing a wicket in their morning session, contributing 105 runs before falling into a pattern of losing wickets. One standout performance for New Zealand came from Mitch Santner, who finished the day unbeaten with 50 runs, helping to stabilize the innings. The day took a significant turn when New Zealand's captain, Kane Williamson, was dismissed by Potts for just eight runs. This marked the fourth time that Williamson had been dismissed by Potts in their five encounters, showcasing the bowler's good form against strong opposition. Potts' performance contributed to England's positive momentum, as they capitalized on New Zealand's slips in concentration, resulting in five more wickets falling in quick succession. In addition to Potts’ three wickets, England's fielding also played a critical role in their fightback. Notably, Jacob Bethell executed an excellent catch to dismiss Tom Blundell, while Harry Brook's relay catch further reflected England's commitment to the match. Despite some moments of cramp and fatigue among the players, particularly for Brydon Carse, the England team exhibited resilience and determination. Overall, although New Zealand set a total of 315, the day concluded with England in a strong position, indicating that they would remain competitive in this already-decided Test series. This Test match had a festive atmosphere due to Tim Southee's retirement, adding a unique dynamic to the game as both teams competed at Seddon Park.