England’s slide towards a massive defeat in the third Test against New Zealand was compounded by a concerning recurrence of Ben Stokes’ hamstring injury.
Stokes was in visible distress as he left the field clutching the same left hamstring he injured in August, subsequently missing four Tests.
The captain was bowling his third over of the third day, midway through the afternoon session. He pulled up in the follow-through of his second delivery, went straight to the dressing room and did not return for the remainder of the New Zealand second innings.
Even before Stokes was injured, England were staring down the barrel as an inevitable Kane Williamson century built New Zealand’s monstrous lead.
After rain delayed play by two and a half hours, Williamson moved to 156. He added 107 with Rachin Ravindra, who made 44, and another 92 with Daryl Mitchell, who helped himself to 60.
When New Zealand were finally bowled out for 453, England’s target was a world-record and improbable 658.
England were left six overs to bat, in which time Ben Duckett played an awful hack to drag on off the retiring Tim Southee and Zak Crawley was lbw to his tormentor Matt Henry.
The tourists will resume on 18-2 when play gets under way at the earlier time of 10:30 (21:30 GMT Monday) on day four.
Dry weather is forecast for days four and five, giving New Zealand plenty of time to salvage a consolation victory from a series England have already won.
For England, the bigger worry is Stokes’ long-term fitness.
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