This was probably the most exciting day of 28 overs in Test history. On a pitch that was only sporadically allowed to come up for air before being drenched by another autumnal shower, New Zealand and England lost 8 for 63 between them and injected new life into a game that had been dying an early death.

But while New Zealand won't be too bothered by their mini-collapse of 5 for 30, England will sleep uneasily after folding to 12 for 3. They now need someone to play a Chris Harris-style innings: leave as much as possible, get down the track to neuter the seam movement, and only go after the bad balls. Otherwise they could be looking at a first-innings deficit and an uncomfortable final day.

They have only themselves to blame. They were clutching the series by the throat when New Zealand staggered to 19 for 4 on Saturday morning, but bowled short and on both sides of the wicket after that on a pitch that cried out for fullish deliveries on and around off stump. Andy Caddick was too short again today, and only when Matthew Hoggard and Andy Flintoff located a fuller length did New Zealand struggle.

It was a ploy used by Daryl Tuffey too, and his first over was the best by any New Zealand seamer since Chris Cairns began the series with two wickets in five balls at Christchurch. It made you wonder where he's been hiding all this time, especially as he finished the one-day series in such good form. Ian Butler would have given England a couple of looseners, but Tuffey was on the spot immediately. England are lucky this is the last Test of the series.

Conditions were tricky for batting, but England didn't help themselves. Marcus Trescothick was dismissed by the sort of jagging delivery that is occasionally unplayable for him because he doesn't move his feet. People say his technique works for him, but his Test average would be closer to 45 if he got a good stride in every now and then. And Nasser Hussain nibbled with an open face at Chris Drum, when he might have been better off leaving it alone.

They should still save this game, but at the end of a long, hard winter, they've given themselves an unnecessary fright.

Lawrence Booth, our assistant editor, has covered the whole New Zealand tour for Wisden.com.

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