ENGLAND’S LIKELY VICTORY THWARTED BY THE RAIN
New Zealand started the third day of the 1st Rothesay Test Match at Lord’s on 36 for 3 from 11.5 overs but had to wait until the rain ceased before their innings could commence again after a delayed start at Lord’s, with the tourists in search of 218 more runs to win and with the hosts needing a further 7 wickets for victory.
However, due to steady rain off an on during the playing hours only 9.4 overs were possible with New Zealand adding 19 runs for the loss of 2 wickets, so a full refund on ticket sales was due to the cricket watches in the ground.
Play started finally, but only 11 balls were possible before the rain came again, and when the players left the field due to rain falling, the score was 37 for 3 from 13.4 overs. Devon Conway had been joined by Rachin Ravindra overnight. Ravindra had a first baller in the first innings, and he looked edgy early on.
When, the players returned and play resumed, New Zealand took the score to 49 for 3 from 17 overs before the rain returned. Conway was on 19 not out and Ravindra 4 not out at that time.
Rachin Ravindra was never happy at the crease, and he was bowled with his off stump knocked back smartly but a lovely delivery from Ollie Robinson for 8 from 21 balls with a single boundary 4 when the New Zealand total had reached 53 for 4 after 18 overs.
Ollie Robinson was looking dangerous, and he was taking advantage of the overhead conditions, the dampness in the air after repeated rain showers and the tricky surface of the pitch. At the fall of the 4th wicket New Zealand were still needing a further 201 runs to win with England needing 6 wickets.
The batters on both sides in the match appeared to lack confidence in the surface. It was the lowest run per wicket in a Test Match at Lord’s since the summer of 1958.
Daryl Mitchell was next to be dismissed, lbw to Ollie Robinson for 0 from 3 balls when the total was 53 for 5 from 19.3 overs. The players left the field again at 55 for 5 after 21.3 overs at 14.12 pm due to rain and did not return.
Rain fell steadily on and off for the remainder of the day and the umpires announced that play had been abandoned for the day at 5.30 pm.
New Zealand 2nd innings total remained on 55 for 5 from 21.3 overs with the tourists needing 199 runs to win with England still needing 5 wickets for a victory.
The weather on the fourth day is expected to be clear with no long spells of rain.
England 1st Innings 140 all out 39.4 overs (Brook 56, Duckett 19, Jamieson 5 for 62, Smith 3 for 38, O’Rourke 2 for 25).
New Zealand 1st Innings 113 all out 29.5 overs (Jamieson 38 not out, Phillips 34, Robinson 5 for 39, Tongue 3 for 40, Atkinson 2 for 9).
England 2nd Innings 226 all out (Gay 57, Smith 39, Duckett 33, Robinson 29, Smith 6 for 70, O’Rourke 2 for 46).
New Zealand 2nd Innings 55 for 5 (Conway 19 not out, Williamson 18, Atkinson 2 for 16, Robinson 2 for 18, Tongue 1 for 15).
