Bravo Nicholls and Williamson to stem the wickets and see off the new ball for the night. Would be nice to have gotten the remaining 20 odd.

Leaves NZ needing minimum 300, more like 350 more by NZ by stumps tomorrow. As I said yesterday 500 minimum required, which 140-0 I thought they were looking their old selves. 200/3 isnt quite the same, but still when NZ have Williamson set on a flat pitch you would expect a 500 type score. Eng may well be tiring now having been bowling 1.5 days, they will be sore going into tomorrow.

Unfortunately NZ may have left form with the bat too late, and thats still an if. 

At least there is some entertainment and fight there.

This is where Foxcroft/Philips would be good both with quick runs and solid spin on what will become a spin paradise day 5. That is what we have identified the likely mid order future. Bowling Wise, KJ and Sears injury as already mentioned are youth that we need to look toward. 

Nicholls could go on and save NZ and his position here (that will keep GP out of contention). That is NZs issue, knowing who to rotate in the line up.