England managed to take two late wickets on a demanding opening day of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, after the visitors' openers built a substantial partnership. New Zealand reached 361-4 by the close of play.
Tom Latham and Devon Conway established a formidable opening partnership of 317 runs, with both batsmen scoring centuries. Conway scored 157 and Latham added 151 before the partnership was finally broken. The stand was New Zealand's highest for any wicket against England.
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat in what was described as extreme heat on a flat pitch. England captain Ben Stokes, returning to lead the side, acknowledged losing the toss was significant. Despite the efforts of England's bowlers, the team was unable to convert missed chances into wickets earlier in the day.
During Conway's innings, a chance off the bowling of Shoaib Bashir appeared to hit his front pad and would have gone on to hit the stumps, but England did not appeal. Later, Latham, who had edged an early delivery for four, was offered a simpler chance down the leg side on 151 when he attempted a pull shot off Gus Atkinson, but wicketkeeper Jamie Smith could not secure the catch.
Stokes eventually dismissed Latham, catching him behind for 151. Joe Root then removed Conway, who was caught at long-on for 157. The late wickets of Rachin Ravindra, who miscued a shot off Atkinson, and Henry Nicholls, who edged a delivery from Jofra Archer, provided a much-needed boost for England and kept them in contention on the first day of the five-day match.