Woakes 'a dagger to the heart' of New Zealand, says Brook

Woakes’ efforts (3-39) with the ball, along with Brook’s 171 total with the bat, left New Zealand 156-6 at the end of day three with a lead of just four runs.

It puts England in a brilliant position to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in Christchurch as the tourists await the fall of four New Zealand wickets until they are back at the crease to chase the total.

Brook was full of praise for his team-mate’s efforts with the ball.

“What we saw from Woakesy at the back end was unbelievable. With that ball, on that pitch, to get two big wickets back-to-back was a dagger to their heart,” Brook told the press.

“[Kane] Williamson always looks so secure when he’s batting, he’s such a high-class performer. He always looks impossible to get out, so to see the back of him gives everyone a lot of energy and then to get Blundell with the next ball got everybody firing.

“We’re in an amazing position to go and win this game.”

CHRIS WOAKES YOU LITTLE BEAUTY! Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell GONE in consecutive balls!- becomes - in the blink of an eye.YES BOYS! -pic.twitter.com/15VrPNyou7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 30, 2024

Woakes stopped Williamson (61), who had fallen just short of a century in the first innings (93), before taking Tom Blundell for a duck with his next ball in the 35th over.

“Woakesy is always niggling away at the top of off stump and trying to hunt your front pad. With the swing he gets and the skills he has, he’s so tough to face,” added Brook.

Brook also had a fine spell at the crease, having surpassed 2,000 Test runs on day two.

He became the third Englishman, after Joe Root and Walter Hammond, to pass 150 twice in New Zealand, having scored 183 in Wellington in 2023. His average of 60.05 is second only to Herbert Sutcliffe (60.73) among England batters to play at least 20 Tests.