Alastair Cook would have batted again had there not been an uncertain weather forecast for the next two days, because there is not enough wear on this pitch to make batting awkward. The wind also helped him get his rhythm back. He was fast at times and he looked back to his best. He might have benefited with more adventurous field placings, and there were other occasions when England captain Alastair Cook was a touch too defensive.BJ Watling gave an early chance off Anderson to where third slip would have been, but instead England had a short extra-cover.If they are trying to force the pace of this game, it would be nice to see more aggressive field settings because there are not going to be many chances on this pitch. Despite taking two wickets, Steven Finn bowled too short again. At this level, anybody who repeatedly bowls short outside off stump is going to be expensive.Judging by the way New Zealand got stuck in the second innings - they closed on 77-1 thanks to Peter Fulton's unbeaten 41 - England will have to do it the hard way if they are to win this Test. Fellow pace bowler James Anderson did not look 100% fit: he had trouble with the footholds at one end and had physio work on his back later on.
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