ENG vs NZ 1st Test: Day 3 called off without a ball being bowled

The forecast for Day 4 is better and we might see some contest. England trails by 267 runs in the first Test match

No play was possible due to rain on the third day of the first England-New Zealand Test here on Friday. Now, the fourth and fifth day's play will have extended play and 98 overs will have to be bowled on each day, weather permitting.

Check ENG vs NZ latest news updates here
 

When stumps were drawn on the second day on Thursday, England were 111 for two wickets in their first innings, having recovered from 18 for two wickets. They still trail by 267 runs. Opener Rory Burns (59) and captain Joe Root (42) were at the crease.

Earlier, New Zealand were all out for 378 in their first innings, with debutant opener Devon Conway batting for almost nine-and-half hours for his superb 200 (347 balls, 22x4s, 1x6).

 
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1st Test: England vs New Zealand full scorecard



Check ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 2 full coverage here

Check ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 1 full coverage here

8:52 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3 live updates

The rain has died down again, but it is still drizzling. The play must start by 10:30 pm IST.

8:19 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3 live updates

Tea taken at Lord's without a ball being bowled in first two sessions of the day. The forecast may improve in one hour, accoding to UK met office website.

7:55 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Lord's weather live updates

According to latest forecast, weather may start to improve from 4 pm local time (8:30 pm IST). If the forecast comes true, we might se two hours of play today. 

 (Photo: screengrab from metoffice.gov.uk)

7:22 PM

Devon Conway tracing Ganguly's path literally

Devon Conway, who broke Sourav Ganguly's record of most runs on Test debut at Lord's, has quite a few things in common with the former India skipper, who is also the current Indian cricket board president.

 

To start with, both Ganguly and Conway are two of just six players to have scored hundreds while making Test debut at Lord's, which is known as the home of cricket. The debut tons of both of these batsmen came in the month of June.

 

While Ganguly scored 131 against England back in 1996, Conway went on to hit exactly 200 runs in his maiden Test innings before being dismissed on Thursday as New Zealand scored 378 in first innings of first Test against England.

 

The two have the same date of birth and bat left-handed.

 

Ganguly was born on July 8, 1972 in Kolkata (now Calcutta) while Conway was born on July 8, 1991 in Johannesburg just months before Ganguly made his international debut in Australia against West Indies in an ODI on January 11, 1992.

 

Interestingly, Conway too had made his international debut against West Indies in a T20 game on November 27 last year.

 

Both were 84th capped player of their country in the respective formats in their international debut.
 

7:10 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Lord's weather live updates

According to UK's met office forecast, the rain continues to pour in London. I fear post-lunch is also going to be washed out.
 

6:30 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3 live updates

The play can be extended till 7 pm local time (12 am IST) if the light permits. Hopefully we may see contest as the day progesses as the forecast suggests that weather will starting to improve after 3 pm local time (7:30 pm IST).

6:24 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Lord's weather live updates

According to UK's met office forecast, the London weather may start improving in next one hour, around 7:30 pm IST. 

(Photo: screengrab from metoffice.gov.uk)

6:19 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3 LIVE: Rain persists after Lunch break

Rain continues to delay the start of third day's play. The morning session is already washed out and restart is improbable at the moment. Stay tuned for the live weather forecast.

5:49 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Lord's weather live updates

There is slight improvement in the weather forecast and we may see some action in the post-Lunch session at Lords.

(photo credit: screengrab from accuweather.com)

5:35 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Session 1 washed out

The morning session on Day 3 has been washed out due to persistant rain.

England is 267 runs behind and Joe Root, Rory Burns will resume hosts charge, if weather permits in the second session.

Partnership: 93(222)

Last Wkt: Zak Crawley c Watling b Southee 2(10) - 18/2 in 6.4 ov.
 

5:06 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: London weather live updates

Lunch break is 25 minutes away and it is drizzling at Lord's cricket ground. It seems first session would be washed out. 

4:37 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: London weather live updates

According to the latest weather forecast, there is no respite from rain at the moment. Though the intensity has dropped a bit. Let's hope for some play before the Lunch break. 

(photo credit: screengrab from accuweather.com)

4:29 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: Lord's weather live updates

The rain has died down a bit and groundsmen started the mopping work. Since it is still raining, chances of play to resume in next 15-30 mins is bleak.

3:59 PM

ENG vs NZ 1st Test Day 3: London weather live updates

According to London weather forecast, the drizzle is likely to continue for another one and a half hour. However, it won't be easy to predict UK's weather as a sudden change in wind direction can blow the clouds away. Keep checking this space for live updates of England vs New Zealand 1st Test.

(Photo credit: screengrab from accuweather.com)

3:56 PM

England vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 3

As the third day's play is delayed due to rain, watch Devon Conway's maiden double and England fight back here:

• Opener Rory Burns (59 batting) and captain Joe Root (42 batting) came to England's rescue after they were reduced to 18 for two wickets inside seven overs, replying to New Zealand's 378 all out, on the second day of the first Test.
• England finished the day at 111 for two wickets, and now trail by 267 runs.
• If England have somewhat recovered from the jolts dealt by New Zealand speedsters Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee, credit is due to Burns (134 balls, 8x4s) and Root (112 balls, 5x4s), who have so far added 93 runs for the third wicket at Lord's.
• Jamieson struck the first blow when he dismissed Dominic Sibley for nought, when England had scored just four. The batsman faced just seven balls. Three overs later, Southee got rid of Zak Crawley, who managed just two.
• After that, Burns and Root joined hands and prevented any further blows until stumps.
• Earlier, debutant Devon Conway batted for almost nine-and-half hours to score a superb 200 (347 balls, 22x4s, 1x6) to help New Zealand to 378 in their first innings after winning the toss.
• Conway is only the seventh batsman -- and only the second opener -- to score a double century on debut, and the first one to score a double hundred on debut in England. His 200 is also the highest Test scored on debut at Lord's.
• Conway, who opened the innings, was the last man to be out -- ironically he was run out, following a rather needless attempt to steal a second run while batting with pacer Neil Wagner. Conway and Wagner, who scored a vital 25, were involved in an important 40-run partnership for the 10th wicket.

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