Cricket: England hanging on
England are stubborn and New Zealand are unrelenting. Attrition reigns as the final match of the three-test series heads into its final hour at Eden Park.
If this was a movie, a subliminal message would surely keep popping up on the screen reading, 'how good is test cricket?'
New Zealand need three wickets to claim their second home series victory against England in 18 attempts over 83 years. England are 269 for seven with 19 overs remaining.
No self doubt appears evident on either side. In Everest parlance, New Zealand moved to this summer's Hillary Steppe at tea when Ian Bell was caught by Tim Southee at third slip off Neil Wagner for 75. Matt Prior (77) and Stuart Broad (0) have since buckled themselves into the crease. Captain Brendon McCullum's bowlers, the ones he has persevered with all series, keep toiling.
The visitors require 481 to win, although that has become irrelevant as McCullum employs attacking fields. Most deliveries produce palpable reactions from a raucous Eden Park crowd; the playing field has a magnifying glass on it.
The likes of Southee, Trent Boult and Wagner are yet to graduate to the ranks of a "Hadlee" chant but they have made significant progress with the heart shown this series. Fans are barracking passionately.
Boult captured Joe Root lbw for 29 on the eve of lunch. It was the first delivery with the second new ball, following on from his career-best 6-68 in the first innings.
New Zealand lapsed when Boult had two catches dropped in the cordon by Dean Brownlie (fourth slip) and Kane Williamson (gully) in the last over before lunch. Bell was 40 and Jonny Bairstow was two. Boult kicked the ground in despair when clipped into the legside next ball. Southee put a comforting arm around him as they exited the field.
A Southee ball to Jonny Bairstow deviated and had him caught by Ross Taylor at first slip for six after lunch. Southee continued an outstanding spell with three further close calls. He had a decision for lbw reversed off Prior as well as a caught behind which never hit the bat.
Wagner narrowly missed catching a Prior pull in the air to deep mid-wicket. He also hit Prior at one point; the ball ballooned away and hit the base of the stumps but refused to dislodge a bail.
If New Zealand win, it will be their first series win over England since 1999, and their first at home since 1983-84.
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