Key events
Mark Quinn’s having a lovely time. As I crank up my electric heater, the jealousy grows. “Longterm reader first time writer… Just thought I’d drop you a line as we’re on holidays in Christchurch. Watching test cricket barefoot sat on a grass bank was a real joy, and to top it off, it was a cracking day yesterday. The first session looked tricky yesterday but would be fantastic for Stokes to get a century in his birthplace…”
Elsewhere in the Test game, there’s this mad scorecard. Aside from the obvious ‘Sri Lanka, what you doing?!?!?’, it’s worth noting that Temba Bavuma, a fine player who struggles to convert his fifties, has got his third Test ton.
Where does Ollie Pope want Ollie Pope to bat? He’s made it pretty clear, despite an impressive knock at No 6 on day two.
Preamble
New Zealand, England, the Hagley Oval, day three and it could end up being a tight game. This is how you do a Friday night, right?
The hosts had a bit of a stinker in the field yesterday, dropping several catches, and Harry Brook took advantage to post his seventh Test hundred and sixth away from home, which is just a bit ridiculous. He remains unbeaten on 132, with Ben Stokes, searching for form, alongside him on 37. England trail by 29, with five wickets still in the bag.
Feel free to drop me a line with your thoughts, queries, views on where Ollie Pope should bat, favourite Lemsip flavour (I’m feeling a bit meh), whatever makes you happy.