NZ tour of England 2021.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Broad isn't quite as bad now with the bat as he got. But he's going to play his shots. Anderson has retired from giving a toss about batting, so not much support likely for Burns nearing his ton.

That didn't work out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Think that last partnership has killed the game dead.

By the close, about 20 overs will have been lost to the game by slow over rates. That might have helped.

[bigfluffylemon]

Looks like it's going to need a total collapse by one side or the other to avoid a draw. Never write England off for that. But they probably have the easier job, as they won't have to worry about setting a target.

[Arthur Crabtree]

3-10 for Robinson. Maybe this will be a crazy last day, with NZ shot out and England set a target.

[Arthur Crabtree]

NZ getting on with it. Declare at lunch?

[captaincolly]

NZ getting on with it. Declare at lunch?

They have done.

[Arthur Crabtree]

A little bit bold by normal Test standards given there was an early lunch and I presume they will make up an hour for lost play.

[sussexpob]

England are not going near this target. Seems sensible.

[Durhamfootman]

A little bit bold by normal Test standards given there was an early lunch and I presume they will make up an hour for lost play.

Do they do that on a final day? They don't in the CC

[Arthur Crabtree]

I don't know. Confident it used to happen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Surprised they haven't shaken hands on a draw well before now.

[Durhamfootman]

I'm not sure they can until the final hour is under way

tbh, I don't really know anymore

[Arthur Crabtree]

I think they're probably still out there, just the scorer has gone home.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Looks like Robinson is out of the next Test pending an inquiry into his tweeting history.

[bigfluffylemon]

Unsurprising.

Should England have gone for it? On balance, probably not. I doubt they'd have got there. They've held on while behind through the whole test, so a draw is probably more valuable to England than New Zealand.

I don't know why we persist in playing 2 test series against New Zealand. They're a very good side. They deserve longer series. Unfortunately, I suspect the answer lies purely in cash - a NZ series won't draw the viewing figures that Australia, India or Pakistan will.