England wicketkeeper Matt Prior thinks his side can still beat the Black Caps despite a 274 run deficit.
England will go into the fourth day of the third day against New Zealand 274 runs behind after the hosts scored 443 in their first innings.
The tourists could only muster 204 in reply with Prior top scoring for the side with 73.
The wicketkeeper is remaining positive about England’s chances however, even if the odds are against them.
“We’re going to need a lot of luck and a lot of skill but if we can get early wickets, who knows?” Prior was quoted on the BBC.
“We’re going to have to bat a lot better, but we can chase these runs.”
England improved their chances of getting back in the game by taking three New Zealand wickets before close of play on day three.
Despite being 40 runs short of the follow-on target the Kiwis decided to not put England back into bat and have another go themselves.
Yet James Anderson and Stuart Broad went to work on the Black Caps’ batsmen and at one point New Zealand were 8-3.
The home side finished at stumps on 35-3, however if Anderson, Broad and the man who took six wickets in the first innings, Steven Finn, can turn up the pressure then England still have a chance.
It’s a tough ask for the touring side to take anything from this final deciding Test with just two days to go, but if all the side have Prior’s optimism then there is still a possibility.
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