Zak Foulkes, New Zealand's first concussion substitute in Test cricket, played a pivotal role in turning the third day at Trent Bridge in favour of the visitors. Foulkes took three wickets, including those of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes, as England collapsed from a strong start to be bowled out for 354. At stumps, New Zealand reached 120 for three, leading by 204 runs on a pitch offering increasing assistance to both seam and spin.
New Zealand's Boring Strategy Pays Off
Foulkes revealed that New Zealand's plan was to be as boring as possible to dry up runs, a tactic that proved highly effective. After England scored 223 for two on Friday at nearly five runs an over, they managed only 131 runs on Saturday at just over three an over while losing eight wickets. Shoaib Bashir described the performance as "quite disappointing" for England.
"We just tried to stay as boring as possible really and try to dry out the runs," said Foulkes. "Yesterday they got off to a fast start and we had to peg it back and peg it back, and we knew if we could dry it up, things could happen in our favour."
Foulkes' Wickets and the Concussion Substitute Process
Foulkes replaced Blair Tickner as a concussion substitute on Friday after Tickner was hit on the helmet by a Jofra Archer bouncer. Tickner initially continued batting and later bowled three overs before leaving the field with dizziness. Foulkes admitted his wickets owed a fair amount to luck, as deliveries hit cracks on the pitch. "I'm going to say they hit cracks, which is a good sign with us bowling last," he said. "We just had to pry away on that top of off and hopefully the odd one would do something and we'd get our reward."
Foulkes described the process of becoming a substitute as "very strange." He had trained in the morning as 12th man, then was in the gym when New Zealand lost their last wickets. The medical tests and paperwork took time before he could enter the game. "I went on the field, had to come off the field, Tom [Latham] had to sign a few papers and then yeah, I was in the game," said Foulkes.
England's Chase Looks Daunting
Despite losing both openers early, New Zealand reached stumps with a lead of 204, and the pitch is expected to become more difficult for batting. Bashir acknowledged the challenge but refused to put a limit on England's target-chasing potential. "I wouldn't put a number on it, especially with this side. We've got unbelievable cricketers in this team," he said.
