Despite Rory Burn’s valiant hundred, New Zealand grabbed control of the fourth day, powered by Tim Southee’s five-wicket haul, as they try to extend their 165-run lead on the final day.
Southee offered a stranglehold over the moving day with a spectacular five-wicket haul in the morning for the visitors. The hosts’ innings was resurrected, though, by to Rory Burns’ tenacious century, which carried them from 140/6 to a respectable total of 275, with the deficit reduced to 103.
After the third day’s washout, the focus moved to New Zealand, with Kyle Jamieson dismissing Joe Root (42) on the first ball of the day, as his 93-run partnership with Burns came to an end.
What a fighting century this is from Rory Burns 👏 #ENGvNZ | https://t.co/PyjT1jqj3I pic.twitter.com/KZdI2nujUY
— ICC (@ICC) June 5, 2021
After a successful New Zealand review flashed red in all boxes, Ollie Pope arrived to the crease blazing, but was quickly caught leg-before by Southee for a 32-ball 22.
Southee’s assault on England’s middle-order continued after that. Southee took the wickets of Dan Lawrence and debutant James Bracey for ducks in the 57th over, reducing England to 140/6. The three wickets came in a 21-ball spell during which New Zealand did not yield a run.
In the 63-run seventh-wicket stand, Rory Burns maintained the fort with Ollie Robinson, who contributed with a well-made 101-ball 42.
Then, for the first time at Lord’s, Burns hammered his third test tonne, which stood as a lone act of defiance that brought England closer to New Zealand’s 378. His exquisite 132 off 297 balls featured 16 fours and a six, which he stroked off Neil Wagner’s quick bowling.
Burns, on the other hand, was saved on two occasions: a missed stumping opportunity by BJ Watling off Santner on 77 and a dropped catch by Southee on 88.
Burns and James Anderson’s final wicket partnership postponed the inevitable and raised the first innings total to 275 by stitching together a 52-run stand in just 55 balls.
Southee claimed the final wicket of the well-set Burns to end off England’s innings with a remarkable five-wicket haul of 6/43 in 25.1 overs.
In the last session, New Zealand stepped in to bat with a 103-run advantage. Ollie Robinson surprised the Kiwis once again by cleaning up Devon Conway (23) and trapping Kane Williamson (1) leg-first.