Michael Atherton questions England's "odd" decision making at Bay Oval

The former captain has queried England's decision not to open with Archer on day three in Mount Maunganui

Michael Atherton has questioned England’s use of Jofra Archer and the tourists’ "odd" decision making on day three at Bay Oval.

The former captain queried the decision not to open with Archer against Henry Nicholls, the batsman he struck on the helmet on day two.

"England had their chance in the morning; they didn't bowl Archer at the start of the day, despite what happened yesterday evening when he clonked Henry Nicholls on the head,” he said.

"I thought that was odd. To then not bowl him with the second new ball after lunch - after a 40-minute break and a refresh - I thought that was odd too.

"Not that Archer can do all the bowling, but to not bowl at the key times was strange.”

With a 209-run lead overnight, England’s bowlers failed to build significantly on their day-two efforts as New Zealand’s middle order took control of the Test.

BJ Watling’s eighth Test hundred has put the hosts in control and Atherton says England looked "lethargic" as their opponents wrestled control of the match.

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"England just looked a bit flat in the morning, a bit lethargic, when it was a day to really try and grab the game," said Atherton.

"With the second new ball, you can see logic behind the decision. [Sam] Curran has got the breeze, he's a swing bowler, and if you don't give him the new ball, is he going to swing it later on?

"It's not the way I would have gone, but you can certainly understand that logic."

The Sky Sports pundit went on to warn against putting to much expectation on the shoulders of 24-year-old Archer.

"I just thought it was stranger at the start of the day. You put yourself in Nicholls' shoes overnight, what's he going to be thinking about? He's going to be thinking about Archer and the ringing blow to his head.

"But we have to measure our expectations as well. It can't just be a case of throwing the ball to Archer and he's the man who is going to get wickets.

"We also have to measure our expectations about the pace he can bowl. It's not easy to run up and bowl 150kmph every time he bowls.

"But there are key situations where you want him to bowl and I thought England missed those today.”

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