England vs New Zealand, Day 4: Ollie Pope and Joe Root stand agency, England want 113 runs to win third Test

England, with eight wickets in hand, want solely 113 runs to win the third Test match and full the sequence whitewash in opposition to the world champions New Zealand.

Ollie Pope and Joe Root stroll off the bottom after stumps on Day 4. (Courtesy: AP)

HIGHLIGHTSEngland want 113 runs to win the third Test in opposition to New ZealandJack Leach took a five-wicket haul in opposition to New Zealand at HeadingleyOllie Pope and Joe Root stitched 132-run partnership for the third wicket

Ollie Pope and Joe Root on Sunday stood agency in opposition to world champions New Zealand on the fourth day of the third Test as England eye to finish sequence whitewash at Headingley, Leeds.

The duo stitched a stable 132-run partnership for the third wicket and noticed off the day, with Pope inching nearer to his hundred and Root standing tall after finishing a half-century. England, with eight wickets in hand, want solely 113 runs.

New Zealand made early inroads whereas defending the 296-run goal earlier than Pope and Root settled. Trent Boult and Kane Williamson mixed to expire Alex Lees cheaply for 9. The English opener drove one to the left of mid off however skipper Williamson did nicely to cease the ball and handed it to the bowler, who accomplished the formalities as Lees was midway down the monitor and had no likelihood to make it again on time. Lees’s opening associate Zak Crawley returned to the dressing room in fast succession after holing out to cowl for 25.

113 to go…

Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/AIVHwaRwQv

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— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2022

With England on 51/2 after 12.1 overs, Pope (81 not out) and Root (55 not out) stepped up and put collectively a comparatively fast stand.

Earlier, Jack Leach took a five-wicket haul and Matthew Potts picked up three wickets to bundle out New Zealand for 326. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell, who’ve been distinctive all through the three-Test match sequence, as soon as once more took the onus to take New Zealand to a good whole.

Potts stopped Mitchell’s run feast and trapped him in entrance for 56. Blundell carried on however ran out of companions to finish his century as Leach and Potts rattled the Kiwis lineup. Blundell remained unbeaten on 88.