Ben Duckett’s roaring century and Stokes’ firestorm: England turn Trent Bridge Test on its head in dramatic twist… New Zealand collapse after 317-run shock start

Nottingham (Trent Bridge): Test cricket rarely offers such sharp emotional swings, but the third Test between England and New Zealand delivered exactly that — a match that shifted from Kiwi dominance to English resurgence within two gripping days.

At stumps, England stood at 223 for 2, still trailing by 215 runs, but the mood around Trent Bridge felt dramatically different. What once looked like New Zealand’s control after a mammoth opening stand has now turned into a contest wide open again.

Duckett’s long-awaited redemption moment

The story of the day belonged to Ben Duckett.

The left-handed opener, who had gone 22 Test innings without a hundred, finally broke the drought in style with a blistering 113 off 88 balls, his seventh Test century. Playing on his home ground, Duckett batted with a mix of aggression and relief, repeatedly piercing the field with cuts, sweeps, and fearless drives.

It was not without luck. A dropped chance at slip early in his innings on just eight runs proved costly for New Zealand, and from that moment, Duckett never looked back.

He celebrated even before completing runs, shouting “Yes!” mid-sprint — a reflection of both emotion and release after months of scrutiny.

His 179-run stand with Jacob Bethell (74*) turned the match on its head, shifting momentum firmly towards England.

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Stokes the spark once again

If Duckett lit the fire, Ben Stokes ensured it spread uncontrollably.

The England captain delivered a fiery spell that ripped through New Zealand’s middle order, finishing with crucial wickets including Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, and Mitchell Santner.

Stokes reached a historic milestone during the innings — becoming only the second Test all-rounder after Jacques Kallis to combine 250 wickets and 7,000 runs, underlining his generational impact on the format.

At one stage, New Zealand’s batting collapse looked inevitable as England’s bowlers, including Shoaib Bashir and Jofra Archer, joined the assault to wrap up the tail.

From dominance to collapse: New Zealand’s missed opportunity

New Zealand had begun the Test in dream fashion, reaching 317 without loss on Day 1. But what followed was a collapse that few could have predicted.

Despite conditions favouring batters early on, the absence of key pacer Matt Henry and limited support for Mitchell Santner exposed the visitors’ bowling fragility.

Santner himself endured a tough outing, conceding heavily while struggling to control England’s aggressive counterattack.

By the time wickets tumbled, New Zealand had lost their grip entirely — turning what could have been a commanding position into a fragile advantage.

Key moments that defined the day

A dropped catch by Henry Nicholls proved to be the turning point of the match. Had Duckett been dismissed early, England’s innings could have collapsed under pressure.

Instead, it opened the door for one of the most entertaining batting displays of the series.

The heat in Nottingham touched 36°C, but it was Duckett’s innings that truly raised the temperature, forcing New Zealand’s bowlers into long, punishing spells.

Stokes: England’s problem and solution

Despite off-field distractions in recent weeks, Stokes once again proved why England’s Test setup revolves around him.

He remains a polarising figure — capable of chaos, brilliance, and leadership all in one breath. Yet on the field, his impact is undeniable.

As England rebuild their position in the series, Stokes stands at the centre of both their fightback and their identity.

What lies ahead

With England still trailing but firmly back in the contest, the third Test is poised for a dramatic finish. New Zealand will need discipline and early breakthroughs, while England will look to extend momentum through Duckett and Bethell.

One thing is certain — this Test is far from over.