Cricket - First Test - England v Pakistan - Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan, Pakistan - October 10, 2024 England's Harry Brook walks off after being caught by Pakistan's Shan Masood off the bowling of Saim Ayub REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/ File Photo
(Reuters) -England took charge of the first test against New Zealand on Saturday, riding Harry Brook's 171 to a first-innings lead of 151 before reducing the Black Caps to 62 for two at tea on day three in Christchurch.
New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway departed cheaply, leaving Kane Williamson, who scored his 9,000th test run on his way to an unbeaten 26 at the break, and Rachin Ravindra (23 not out) at the crease still 89 runs in arrears.
Five dropped catches helped Brook to his match-turning tally and skipper Ben Stokes also benefited from a few as he provided the glue for a series of partnerships that pushed the visitors to 499 in response to New Zealand's 348.
Matt Henry (4-84) had Brook caught behind and finally winkled out Stokes for 80 but England's tail wagged hard with Gus Atkinson adding 48 runs off 36 balls and Brydon Carse an unbeaten 33 from 24.
England seamer Chris Woakes failed to take a wicket in the first innings but quickly put that right with a fine delivery that straightened on skipper Latham with Brook taking the catch in the slips.
Conway's recent form slump continued as, on eight, he pulled a Carse delivery to Atkinson at mid-on and the England seamer showed the hosts how it is done with an acrobatic catch.
Earlier, Brook resumed on 132 with England 319-5 and played with great freedom as he and Stokes put on 159 for the sixth wicket.
Defying the new ball, he punched his 13th four through covers to move past the 150 mark before blasting a huge six on to a grandstand roof.
By the time he got an edge on a Henry delivery, Brook had scored 15 fours and three sixes in his 197-ball knock to take his batting average in three tests in New Zealand to 100.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by William Mallard and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
