The China Mail - Ravindra and Mitchell strengthen New Zealand's grip on England decider

New Zealand were 180-4 in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day, already a lead of 264 runs with five sessions of the match remaining on an increasingly wearing pitch.

Ravindra was dismissed for a well-made 94 after he had put on 129 for for the fourth wicket with Mitchell, 47 not out.

With this three-match series all square at 1-1, it looked like New Zealand would bat through the session without losing a wicket.

But off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, succeeding where England's quicks had failed when, struck with his fourth ball of the day when a sharply turning delivery hit Ravindra on the back leg.

The 26-year-old left-hander reviewed in the hope of a reprieve that might enable him to complete a sixth Test century. Ravindra, however, had already started walking off the field before replays confirmed the end of a 149-ball innings including 12 fours.

New Zealand resumed on 120-3, already a significant lead of 204 runs, in initially cooler temperatures following three days of intense heat in Nottingham.

Ravindra was 60 not out, with Mitchell unbeaten on 26.

Jofra Archer had reduced New Zealand to 12-2 on Saturday the fast bowler thought he had struck with his second ball Sunday when Mitchell was given out lbw for 28.

But Mitchell's review indicated the ball would have missed leg stump.

Mitchell was struck several painful blows on the hand and arm as balls from England captain Ben Stokes reared off a good length, but he continued to guts it out as New Zealand looked to bat the hosts out of the game.

Ravindra cashed in a poor short ball from Stokes with a powerful pull for four and whipped Archer off his pads for another well-struck boundary.

Mitchell then seized on an over-pitched delivery from fast bowler Josh Tongue with a classic off-drive for four.

Stokes bowled himself for eight overs in a row Sunday before giving way to Gus Atkinson, and while he only conceded 14 runs, he could not produce the breakthrough England needed on this occasion.

The seam-bowling all-rounder had previously dragged England back into this match with the ball.

Stokes ended a first-innings opening partnership of 317 between New Zealand captain Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157) during a return of 4-70, with the Black Caps dismissed for 438 when a total in excess of 500 once seemed likely.

Stokes was back after being omitted from England's 253-run defeat in the second Test at the Oval for breaking a midnight curfew, alongside Atkinson, while celebrating at a London nightclub following the first-Test win over New Zealand.

T.Wu--ThChM