Shoaib Bashir backed England not to crack in their third Test decider against New Zealand but admitted the Trent Bridge pitch had already started to do so.
After two days of glorious batting conditions in the winner takes all clash in Nottingham, the bowlers finally got some payback as 11 wickets fell on a surface that had started to open up under the summer sun.
England lost eight for 130 to hand the Black Caps an 84-run first-innings lead, then shot back with three quick breakthroughs before Rachin Ravindra took control.
His 60 not out put New Zealand 204 in front at the end of the third evening, with seven wickets in hand as they attempt to leave a chase that kills off English hopes of victory.
And Bashir, who found some useful turn but failed to take a wicket in nine overs before stumps, did not shy away from how difficult batting last is likely to be.
“Obviously the wicket is deteriorating. The way it played today, it had a bit in it,” said the spinner, who was wary of speculating on what his side might be able to hunt down.
“I wouldn’t want to put a number on it, especially with this England side because we’ve got some unbelievable cricketers in this team, but as little as possible with the way it’s deteriorating. The wicket played around a bit and we’ve got to find a way to counteract that.
“The series is on the line, we’re going to try and win. I’m human, we are going to feel the pressure, but there’s a lot of excitement going into the next two days too.”
New Zealand seamer Zak Foulkes, who entered the game as a concussion substitute for Blair Tickner, claimed two huge wickets when he clean bowled Ben Stokes and Harry Brook. He suggested the wearing surface had given him a boost on both occasions and was crossing his fingers for more of the same.
“I’m going to say they hit cracks, which is a good sign with us bowling last,” he said.
“We just had to probe away at the top of off (stump) and the odd one would do something to give us a reward.
“English conditions aren’t really used to this hot heat so it’s prone to cracking. I think the groundsmen were worried about the dryness of the surface before the Test with the weather we had leading up to this, but I think the next couple of days could be pretty enjoyable.
“That’s the beauty of bowling last. Hopefully the wicket is going to be at its hardest for batting right at the end and we can make use of it.”
