England 232 and  6-180 (Joe Root 71, Jonathan Trott 56, Tim Southee 3-34) lead New Zealand 207 (Ross Taylor 66, Kane Williamson 60, James Anderson 5-47) by 205 runs.

The star quick bowler of New Zealand, Tim Southee, bowled excellently in the second innings by picking three important wickets as England looks for survival.

England scored 232 runs in their first innings followed by 6-180 in the second. New Zealand managed 207 runs before they were bowled out in their first innings.

The third day’s play concluded on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at Lord’s London.

Earlier, the Black Caps commenced the day at 4-153 in 49.4 overs whereas Kane Williamson and Brendon McCullum were unbeaten on 44 and 1 respectively. England got an early wicket when McCullum was caught behind by Matt Prior off Stuart Broad for just two runs and was replaced by BJ Watling. The batsmen found it difficult to score freely and Kane Williamson crept to his 8^th Test fifty in the 57^th over. Watling was dropped at six by Jonathan Trott at second slip off Broad two overs later but Kane Williamson was caught behind by Prior off Anderson for 60 off 167 balls with 6 fours.

The incoming batsmen were unable to cope with the deadly home bowling and the entire team was sent back to the dressing room for 207 in 69 overs.

James Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, Steven Finn held four whereas Stuart Broad claimed one wicket.

England went into their second innings with a lead of 25 runs as their skipper Alastair Cook and Nick Compton started off as the first survived a review on the second ball. Cook opened his account with a four and Compton followed him in the second over. Alastair Cook became the first victim at 36 after he was caught superbly by Dean Brownlie at third slip off Trent Boult for 21 runs. Nick Compton departed at the same score for 15 and the hosts were in some sort of trouble at 2-36 in 9.5 overs.

Jonathan Trott and Joe Root responded positively by hitting 2 fours each in the coming overs and the first hit another two boundaries in the 16^th over. The runs were flowing from the willows of the two batsmen and they took the score to 91 after 26 overs at the tea interval. The hundred of the innings was posted on board in the 32^nd over and Joe Root achieved his second Test fifty with a four. Trott kept on enhancing from the other end as the ball crossed the rope at regular intervals.  The third wicket association was broken at 159 when Tim Southee uprooted the stumps of Joe Root for 71 off 120 deliveries with 8 fours.

Tim Southee brought the Kiwis back in the game by grasping two quick wickets after removing Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior for 5 and 0 and the home side lost their fifth wicket at 171. The miseries were multiplied when the well settled batsman, Jonathan Trott was dismissed by Kane Williamson without any addition to the total for 56 off 137 with 6 fours. Steven Finn was batting at 6 and Ian Bell has yet to score when the play was called off as England scored 180 with four wickets in hand after 59 overs.

Tim Southee was once again the chief wicket taker with three whereas Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Kane Williamson shared one wicket each.

England has taken an overall lead of 205 runs and the match is evenly poised at the moment and an addition of another 60-75 runs to the score by the hosts will put them on top against New Zealand. Looking at the condition of the pitch, the match may well end on the fourth day but it is still wide open.