Sports

England vs New Zealand, Day 4: Ollie Pope and Joe Root stand firm, England need 113 runs to win 3rd Test

June 27, 2022
Bharat Times English News

With eight wickets in hand, England need only 113 runs to win the third Test and complete a series whitewash against world champions New Zealand.

Ollie Pope and Joe Root walk off the field after stumps on day four (Courtesy: AP)

highlighted

  • England need 113 runs to win the third test against New Zealand
  • Jack Leach took five wickets against New Zealand at Headingley
  • Ollie Pope and Joe Root put on a 132-run partnership for the third wicket

Ollie Pope and Joe Root stood firm against world champions New Zealand on the fourth day of the third Test on Sunday as England look to complete a whitewash in the series at Headingley, Leeds.

The two put on a solid 132-run partnership for the third wicket and saw the end of the day, with Pope nearing his century and Root standing long after completing a half-century. England need just 113 runs with eight wickets.

New Zealand took an early lead defending a target of 296 before Pope and Root settled. Alex Lee was run out cheaply for nine runs by Trent Boult and Kane Williamson. The English opener bowled one to the left of mid-off but skipper Williamson did well to stop the ball and handed it to the bowler, who completed the formalities as Lees was halfway down the track and had no way of getting back in time. There was no chance. Lies’ opening partner Zak Crowley returned to the dressing room in quick succession after running out to cover for 25.

With England at 51/2 after 12.1 overs, Pope (81 not out) and Root (55 not out) stepped up and made a relatively quick stand.

Earlier, Jack Leach took five wickets and Matthew Potts picked up three wickets to bundle out New Zealand for 326 runs. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, who performed exceptionally well in the three-Test series, once again took the responsibility of taking over. New Zealand to a respectable total.

Potts stops Mitchell’s run feast and traps him in front for 56. Blundell went ahead, but ran out of partners to complete his century as Leach and Potts dodged the Kiwi lineup. Blundell remained unbeaten on 88.