England Endures Hardship in a Gruelling Close to 2024 Test Campaign

When your day both begins and nearly ends with Will O'Rourke wielding a bat, it's clear something out of the ordinary is unfolding. New Zealand’s No. 11 batter openly admits that batting isn’t his strongest suit, humorously noting his lack of “the most talent with the bat.” With a modest Test average of 3.00, his primary contribution lies elsewhere.

O'Rourke’s Resilience Shines

Yet on the second day of the third Test, his resilience was crucial. First, he supported Mitchell Santner in pushing New Zealand's total to 347 in the first innings. Later, as a nightwatchman, he tried to steady the ship with 20 minutes of play remaining. Though his stint ended with an eight-ball duck, New Zealand still closed the day in a commanding position, leading by 340 with just three wickets down. In between, O'Rourke played a pivotal role in dismantling England’s batting lineup, sparking a dramatic collapse to 143 all out. His three-wicket burst included the prized scalp of Harry Brook, dismissed for a golden duck.

England’s Collapse Unravels

England’s batting implosion seemed almost surreal. Their approach to the day’s play was riddled with uncharacteristic errors. At one point, fielders were stationed on the boundary for Santner but crowded in for O'Rourke, despite a fresh second new ball. The disarray allowed Santner to retain the strike with an easy single, adding to England’s frustration. New Zealand’s batters managed just 32 runs in 15.1 overs, yet the psychological edge was clear.

Brook’s dismissal, following his heroic scores of 171 and 123 in earlier matches, proved catastrophic for England. Without their anchor, the batting lineup crumbled spectacularly. Losing 8 wickets for just 66 runs in 20 overs marked one of England’s worst collapses under Ben Stokes’ leadership. Notably, it was their second-worst performance in the SENA nations during the "Bazball" era, evoking memories of earlier struggles, like the dramatic collapse against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2022.

While this stumble doesn’t signify regression — England had already secured the series with dominant victories in the first two matches—it highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistency. New Zealand, playing for pride and to honour their veteran Tim Southee, clearly had more at stake.

Bowling Unit Stretched Thin 

Assistant coach Paul Collingwood dismissed suggestions that England’s gruelling 17-Test schedule in 2024 was to blame, though he acknowledged the toll on fast bowlers forced into relentless action. Stokes, too, brushed off the idea that ruthlessness was missing, pointing instead to poor execution.

The day’s play was littered with unforced errors. Zak Crawley offered a tame return catch to Matt Henry, falling victim to him for the fifth time in the series. Jacob Bethell played indecisively, Joe Root’s ill-advised late cuts proved costly, and Stokes’ attempted slog sweep further derailed the innings. Such lapses ensured England’s bowlers had little time to recover before returning to toil under a scorching sun.

Brydon Carse, England’s standout bowler of the winter with 27 wickets at an impressive average, looked visibly fatigued after being pushed to the limit. Having bowled more overs this season than in the last two domestic campaigns combined, the strain showed in his performance. Gus Atkinson, England’s emerging pace sensation, also exhibited signs of wear, with his pace dipping noticeably after extended spells.

Even Matthew Potts, returning to the side, reached new personal records in terms of workload. Meanwhile, Stokes himself embraced the challenge, bowling 23 overs across three demanding spells—the most he’s bowled in a day since 2022. As captain, his tireless effort to keep England in the contest reflected his unique ability to inspire, even in adversity.

Stokes’ performance evoked memories of past heroics, such as Headingley 2019, when he clawed England back into contention against all odds. Yet this time, the situation felt different—less a miraculous fightback and more an effort to delay the inevitable. With New Zealand’s lead exceeding 300 and two full days left to play, England’s hopes of a comeback appeared increasingly slim. The only question now is how long they can hold on before their grip finally slips.

This Test is a reminder of cricket’s unpredictable nature—where a No. 11 batter can shape the narrative and even mighty teams can falter. For England, it’s a moment to reflect and regroup. For New Zealand, it’s a shot at redemption and pride.