England are very much in control of the ongoing third Test against New Zealand at Headingley in Leeds as they need only 113 runs on the final day with 8 wickets in hand. If they win the third match of the ENG vs NZ Test Series 2022, England will whitewash New Zealand in a Test series for the first time since 2013. The English side will also be getting very close to New Zealand’s PCT in the ICC Test Championship 2021–2023 points standings. The third match scenario is discussed in this article.
England vs New Zealand Third Test 2022: Match Scenario
Headingley is one of the venues in England where batters usually flourish and lots of runs are scored on this ground. When Kane Williamson won the toss, he didn’t have to think twice about batting first. However, New Zealand failed to score big in both innings, allowing England to take full control of the contest at the end of day 4.
New Zealand First Innings
New Zealand had a really bad start to the innings, losing five wickets for 123 runs. Timely efforts by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell in the middle-order helped the visiting side score more than 300 runs in the innings. The Mitchell-Blundell pair contributed 120 runs for the sixth wicket. Blundell made 55 runs, while Daryl Mitchell notched a century (109). New Zealand were all out for 329 in their first innings. Jack Leach of England picked up five wickets.
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England First Innings
In reply to New Zealand’s 329, England had a horrendous start, even worse than their opposition. The hosts lost six wickets for only 55 runs in 12 overs. At that stage, New Zealand's campaign was hoping to bowl England out inside 100 runs and force them to follow on. However, a 241-run stand between Jonny Bairstow and Jamie Overton for the seventh wicket helped England to make a strong comeback in the innings.
Bairstow, who played a match-winning knock in the second Test, was in an aggressive mood in this innings. The right-hand batter made 162 runs off 157 deliveries, while Overton contributed 97 runs. Besides, Stuart Broad played an important 42-run innings, which helped England score 360 in their first innings. Trent Boult was the most successful bowler for New Zealand. He picked up 4 wickets.
New Zealand Second Innings
Trailing by 31 runs, New Zealand had a solid start to their second innings. Skipper Kane Williamson and opener Tom Latham made 97 runs together in the second wicket, giving the visitors a good platform to extend the lead. But New Zealand saw a collapse in their innings as they were down to 161/5 at one stage.
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Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell once again came out to the rescue for the Blackcaps, putting up a 113 run partnership for the sixth wicket. Mitchell made 56, while Blundell remained unbeaten on 88*.
New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 326 after giving England a 296-run target to win. England’s Jack Leach picked up five wickets in this innings.
England Second Innings
Chasing a 296-run victory, England lost both their openers within 51 runs. However, the hosts have taken control of the game thanks to an unbeaten 132*-run third-wicket stand between Ollie Pope (81*) and Joe Root (55*). England finished the day on 4 with 183/2 runs on board. They needed only 113 runs to clinch the match as well as to whitewash the Kiwi side in the ENG vs NZ Test Series 2022.
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England vs New Zealand Test Series 2022: Top Performers
Daryl Mitchell and Trent Boult will end up leading the most runs and highest wicket-takers charts in the Test series despite the fact that their team, New Zealand, are now on the verge of being swept by the English team.
Top 3 most runs in the series (as on June 26, 2022)
|
Player |
Innings |
Runs |
HS |
Ave |
100s |
|
Daryl Mitchell |
6 |
538 |
190 |
107.60 |
3 |
|
Tom Blundell |
6 |
383 |
106 |
76.60 |
1 |
|
Joe Root |
6* |
365 |
176 |
91.25 |
2 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
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Top 3 most wickets in the series (as on June 26, 2022)
|
Player |
Innings |
Wickets |
BBI |
Ave |
5W |
|
Trent Boult |
6 |
16 |
5/106 |
27.18 |
1 |
|
Matthew Potts |
6 |
14 |
4/13 |
23.28 |
0 |
|
Jack Leach |
4 |
13 |
5/66 |
30.15 |
2 |
Source: https://www.espncricinfo.com/
Bottom Line
England have already sealed the series and, with the current scenario of the third Test, they are very much in pole position to whitewash the New Zealand side. The England Test team’s performance has improved significantly in the ENG vs NZ Test Series 2022. In other words, the England Test side has rejuvenated under the leadership of Ben Stokes.
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