New Zealand hold on to Christchurch after England’s Brook hits 171

:England took charge of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, riding on Harry Brook’s 171 to take a first innings lead of 151 before reducing the Black Caps to 155 for six at the close of play on the third day in Christchurch.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway departed cheaply before tea, and the crisis deepened when Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell were dismissed in successive balls in the final session, when the hosts were still behind.

Williamson offered hope with an innings of 61, but it all disappeared when Chris Woakes, belying his reputation as a struggling bowler outside England, trapped him in front and then caught Blundell behind with a nick for a golden duck.

Glenn Phillips fended off the hat-trick but followed his teammates off the field in the final 20 minutes of play when Brydon Carse dismissed him for 19.

Daryl Mitchell, unbeaten on 31, and debutant all-rounder Nathan Smith, who had scored one not out, were at the finish line with New Zealand just four runs ahead.

The Black Caps will take a hard look at their fielding as they reflect on their poor position after five dropped catches helped Brook achieve his match-changing tally.

England captain Ben Stokes also benefited from some as he provided the glue for a series of partnerships that took the visitors to 499 in response to New Zealand’s 348.

Brook had resumed play on 132 with England 319-5 and the 25-year-old played with great freedom and some flair as he and Stokes put on 159 for the sixth wicket.

Defying the new ball, Brook hit his 13th four through covers to surpass the 150 mark before hitting a huge six onto the roof of a stand.

By the time he gained an advantage off a Matt Henry delivery and was caught behind, Brook had hit 15 fours and three sixes in his 197-ball knock to take his batting average in three Tests in New Zealand to 100.

Henry (4-84) also finally dismissed Stokes for 80, but England’s tail swung strongly with Gus Atkinson adding 48 runs off 36 balls and Carse an unbeaten 33 off 24.

Woakes (3-39) had failed to take a wicket in the first innings but wasted no time in removing Latham for one before Carse (3-22) and Atkinson combined to send Conway back for eight.

Williamson became the first New Zealander to amass 9,000 Test runs on his way to 61, a rare highlight on a largely gloomy day for home fans.