The drama was palpable as England clawed back two crucial late wickets against New Zealand, snatching a lifeline from the jaws of defeat on a sweltering opening day of the decisive third Test at Trent Bridge. Tom Latham's 151 and Devon Conway's majestic 157 – a partnership that redefined the record books for any New Zealand-England stand – seemed to have sealed the deal, but England's bowlers conjured up two vital scalps in the final over to keep their side in the hunt.
The Black Caps' skipper Latham won the toss and chose to bat on a flat pitch under furnace-like conditions, which proved tailor-made for his team's dominant style. Conway and Latham danced down the wickets with aplomb, their centuries forged in the scorching heat of a summer's day. Latham eventually fell prey to Stokes' sharp reflexes behind the stumps, while Conway – who'd earlier survived an unappealed LBW decision when on 71 – was dismissed by Root at long-on for 157.
But it was in those final moments that the complexion of the game changed like a dramatic shift in weather. Atkinson pounced on Rachin Ravindra's ill-fated skied shot, before Archer claimed Henry Nicholls' edge behind to ignite jubilant scenes within the England camp.
England will rue their missed chances earlier in the day – that contentious LBW decision against Conway and a dropped catch by Jamie Smith off Latham when he was on 129 – which would have left them with a more manageable total. Despite those blunders, Stokes' men showed remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
England's captain Stokes admitted his team faced "highest pressure" during his tenure, following recent controversies and an abysmal run of just two wins from their last nine Tests. To avoid further questions over leadership, they need at least a draw – but those late wickets offer a glimmer of hope that this team still has the mettle to stage a thrilling fightback on a pitch primed for more batting fireworks.