England seamer Matthew Potts made a dramatic return to the side on the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
With England leading the series 2-0 and looking to complete a whitewash in Hamilton, fast bowlers Potts and Gus Atkinson took three wickets apiece as the hosts finished the day on 315-9.
Potts' haul included the wickets of Black Caps' captain Tom Latham and star batsman Kane Williamson as he justified his selection ahead of Chris Woakes to finish with figures of three for 75.
The Durham seamer also removed dangerous all-rounder Glenn Phillips for just five, but it was his dismissal of Williamson that pleased him most. It was the fourth time Potts has taken Williamson's scalp in five innings going head-to-head.
The Black Caps' star was Potts’ first international scalp on his Lord’s debut in 2022.
On a Seddon Park pitch where he has hit six centuries, he cruised to 44 before steering a sharp rising delivery from Potts back into his stumps.
He almost managed to deflect the ball away with his foot but reacted with dismay as it removed the bails.
For Potts, the emotions could hardly have been more different.
“I didn’t have a great view of it. I was a bit confused but then I saw a bail drop down by his feet and it was pure elation after that,” he said.
“It was a massive wicket at that point in the innings. It’s less about personal milestones and achievements of getting good players out but, at that key point in time, Kane could have taken the game away from us.
“To get a massive scalp like that for the team, a player like Kane who can play the long game and score quite quickly as well, I’m pretty proud of that.”
The New Zealand tail wagged hard but the batters higher up the order will be ruing their failure to build the partnerships they needed to really cash in on the platform laid by Latham and Will Young in an opening stand of 105.
Local hero Tim Southee gave the home fans something to cheer with his 96th, 97th and 98th test sixes in a 10-ball 23 in the last half-hour before holing out attempting the 99th in his penultimate test innings.
Mitchell Santner took New Zealand to stumps with a bright half-century from 54 balls and will resume on Sunday alongside Will O'Rourke, who had yet to score, looking to add a few more runs to the tally.
With the series already lost after heavy defeats in Christchurch and Wellington, New Zealand are desperate to send Southee into retirement a winner in his final Test but England's bowlers stuck to their task and got their rewards.
Brydon Carse chipped in with the wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Tom Blundell, while Gus Atkinson took 3-55 in another strong performance on a hot, sunny day.
England skipper Ben Stokes showed his fitness by bowling 23 overs and he added the wicket of Matt Henry for eight courtesy of a smart juggle and catch by Harry Brook right on the boundary rope.
"Obviously you always want more," said Williamson, who came into the match with an average of 95.53 at Seddon Park.
"[There were] a number of contributions, guys getting in, but you never felt like you had a real rhythm out there. Always tough to sum up until you see a little bit more of how the pitch develops, but nice to have 300 plus on the board."
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
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Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
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TICKETS
For tickets for the two-day Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) event, entitled Dubai Invasion 2019, on September 27 and 28 go to www.meraticket.com.
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Benevento (Kick-off 11.45pm)
Saturday Crotone v Spezia (6pm), Torino v Udinese (9pm), Lazio v Verona (11.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Inter Milan (3.30pm), Atalanta v Fiorentina (6pm), Napoli v Sampdoria (6pm), Bologna v Roma (6pm), Genoa v Juventus (9pm), AC Milan v Parma (11.45pm)
THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi
“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
More from Armen Sarkissian
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
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Available: Now
