Tourists show no mercy

Paul Collingwood keeps New Zealand waiting for England's declaration © Getty Images

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See Paul Collingwood at the post-play press conference and the full day three report on ECBtv

It may have been the least entertaining day’s play in the match, but it could well prove to be one of the most significant in the series.

England began the third day of the second Test against New Zealand well in control and ended it boasting an even greater advantage, so one could argue with some justification that the 89.1 overs bowled had minimal impact on the outcome of this Test.

But by batting the entirety of the day, reaching 277 for nine in the second innings and extending their lead to a daunting 421, the damage England inflicted on New Zealand was as much psychological as it was statistical.

They condemned the Kiwi bowlers to more than seven hours in the field under the merciless Wellington sun, simultaneously keeping them guessing over the timing of a declaration that never came.

New Zealand openers Matthew Bell and Jamie How must still ponder that overnight, although the likelihood is that England will bat on further on the fourth morning.

The manner in which they pressed on remorselessly - with extravagant strokeplay, and the undue risks that involves, eschewed in favour of steady accumulation - suggested the tourists are in no mood to cede the slightest advantage to New Zealand.

That ploy appeared to be working as the Black Caps showed signs of fatigue in the field, three catches going down, a run-out opportunity missed and numerous examples of far from positive body language.

Mark Gillespie reprieves Collingwood on nought

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Daniel Vettori’s side, convincing winners in the first Test in Hamilton, may speak bullishly of their chances here, but every player in the home dressing room will be aware of the scale of the task that lies ahead.

Regardless of when England’s innings finally ends, New Zealanders will be fully aware that no side has ever scored so many in the fourth innings to win a Test.

That they have to do so - or survive the best part of six sessions - on a pitch that continues to offer the seamers considerable encouragement, must add to the sense of foreboding in the Kiwi camp.

Yet perhaps the greatest reason behind England’s sunny demeanour at the close of play was the fact that this was the first time they have dominated two successive days’ play in the series.

Having bowled New Zealand out for just 198 on day two, they never looked likely to relinquish their grip on the game when play resumed, overcoming the early loss of Michael Vaughan, then the departures of Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss in the space of five balls, with considerable professionalism.

Andrew Strauss pulls for four early on the third morning

Though Kevin Pietersen’s cruel dismissal- he was run out backing up - left England 160 for four and raised New Zealand’s hopes of minimising their fourth-innings target, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood followed the examples of Cook and Strauss before them to reassert England’s superiority.

Cook batted sensibly for 60 following an early reprieve, Strauss grafted hard in making 44, Bell was dropped early on the way to an occasionally fluent 41, and Collingwood, whose dismissal for 59 brought proceedings to a premature halt, flourished late on after an unconvincing start.

England’s tally of 273 runs in a day may not have pleased those calling for a more aggressive approach and a declaration on the third evening.

But captain Vaughan and coach Peter Moores could counter with the question: why rush?

They can point to a favourable weather forecast for the remaining two days, as well as the fact that when New Zealand attempted to force the pace in the second innings at Seddon Park last week, they suffered a collapse that offered England a glimpse of victory.

There was never any intention of England allowing New Zealand that privilege in Wellington.