Enough is Enough - A Cricket 22 Story

[Rumple43]

​

England v New Zealand (2nd Test, three match series, England lead 1-0)

Date: 10-14 June 2022

Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Weather: The forecast is fairly positive for the duration of this one, with most days involving sun and partial cloud plus temperatures that are expected to hover around the low 20s. If there is going to be any inclement weather, it’s likely to be on day three when temps will drop to the low teens and rain is possible amongst heavy cloud cover.

Pitch: A tough pitch to gauge, which could lead to some surprises. At first glance there does seem to be plenty on offer for the bowler, with some initial cracks and plenty of grass. Winning the toss may not offer any advantage as batting or bowling first could lead to a positive result for the team in question.

England head to Nottingham with a 1-0 series lead and the chance to wrap up their first consecutive series wins in over a year.​

Reeling off victories against West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka across 2020/21, England have since gone four series without a win until their successful trip to the Caribbean in March.

Winning by four wickets at Lord’s last week has put Joe Root’s side in a commanding position in this three-game contest, with an opportunity to once again seal a series with one game still to play.

England looked far from certain to win that opening matchup though, slipping to precarious positions more than once before Harry Brook and Ben Foakes took the hosts over the line.

Line Ups​

England are once again forced to go without the services of all rounder Ben Stokes after he was ruled out with an ankle injury, failing a late fitness test.

Softening the blow for the hosts will be the long-awaited return of fast bowler Jofra Archer, who slots into a four man pace attack with another returnee, Mark Wood, to give England's attack some real speed.

Wood take the place of Ollie Robinson, who misses out partly due to his bowling similarities with the more established Anderson and Broad. Still, the Sussex man took 4-107 across the two innings at Lord’s with an average of 26.75, making him a surprise exclusion.

The loss of Stokes and the inclusion of two genuine bowlers means England will be leaning heavily on the top order to make their runs in this one.

Burns and Haines once again open, with Bohannon at three despite his lack of recent returns. Captain Root, Ollie Pope, Lord’s century maker Harry Brook and Ben Foakes make up the rest of the top seven.

Kane Williamson’s team didn’t do much wrong in London last week but still head North 1-0 down.

The tourists have made just one change, taking out fiery bowler Neil Wagner for the left arm spin of Ajaz Patel.

With the relatively soft English pitches offering little to a man who can bang the ball in short with the best in the world, it’s hoped Patel will offer something different to the New Zealand attack.

The rest of the team is unchanged, with Latham and Young to open, Conway, Williamson, Nicholls, Blundell and De Grandhomme to follow.

Tale of the tape​

England’s victory at Lord’s shows they’ll be no pushover in this series, though they still hold underdog status against a talented New Zealand team.

One key difference between the teams in the 1st Test was lower order batting, with Williamson’s side getting plenty of production alongside wicket keeper Tom Blundell, who made 180 runs in the game.

England’s lower order have struggled in comparison, and with the tail only getting longer in this game due to Ben Stokes injury and the inclusion of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, that disparity could only grow wider.

It feels unlikely that a team as good as a New Zealand could lose this series outright with a game still to go, but England have now won four in a row and confidence will be high that they can keep their run going.

 

[Rumple43]

​

Honours even after well-balanced opening to the 2nd test​

25th career century for Joe Root sees the England skipper pass 10,000 test runs before late Trent Boult burst levels things up

Joe Root led his side with a stunning century on day one of the 2nd test from Trent Bridge, helping England to 294-9 at the close of play.

Root was assisted by another half century from opener Tom Haines, his fifth in five games, but the hosts wouldn’t have things all their own way.

202-4 at tea, the hosts would lose five wickets in the final session to slow their momentum and put a halt to premature thoughts of a sizable first innings effort.



After losing the toss, as they did at Lord’s, England were put in to bat by Kane Williamson. That didn’t deter openers Burns and Haines, who went about their work confidently before Burns was caught behind off Patel just before the drinks break.

Haines and Josh Bohannon put on a useful 44 runs and looked to be heading to lunch unscathed before the Lancashire man became Patel’s second victim, trapped LBW off a ball that turned more than expected for a day one surface.

That left Joe Root to stride to the middle, playing carefully as Haines brought up his half century shortly before the players departed to end the morning session.

With Root going about building his century throughout the afternoon session, the England skipper also passed the 10,000 test run mark, bringing the Nottingham crowd to their feet as the scoreboard displayed a notification of his feat.

The sentiment didn’t stop the Yorkshire man from getting it done on the pitch, working New Zealand around in a near faultless performance with Haines, Pope (26 off 64) and Harry Brook (41* off 96) all providing good support.

Root would eventually raise his bat 10 overs into the day’s final session, with his team well set for a potentially big total at 242-4.

Root dismissal would also see keeper Ben Foakes follow quickly after, his duck a rare failure since his return to the test set up, as England made it to drinks at 253-6.



Although England would add a further 40 runs across the final 15 overs of the day, they’d also lose three wickets as Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood all failed to make a much of an impact.

The trio all fell to Trent Boult, who closed with figures of 19-5-3-65 as the pick of the bowlers, with Patel (26-5-3-83) also offering early returns after his inclusion in the starting XI.

England will begin day two with Lord’s hero Harry Brook at the crease, he’s unbeaten on 41 from 98 balls and has another half century in his sights. Jimmy Anderson will be at the other end, he’s yet to score after facing 14 balls.

England captain Joe Root:

“That’s a tough one to really get a read on, if I’m honest, but we can still be pleased to have batted through the day.

“If we’d spoken when I’d just made 100 at 242-4, I think we’d have been looking ahead and hoping for big things tomorrow.

“Instead New Zealand showed their class late in the day and we haven’t quite done what we wanted to close things out. We know to expect that from them though, they’re a class act and you can’t stay on top of them for long.

“We’ll do our best to bat for as long as possible then see what our boys can do with the ball, this pitch is still offering plenty, that’s for sure.”

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BALL

 

[Rumple43]

​

Day two of 2nd Test mirrors its predecessor, leaves Trent Bridge contest in the balance​

An evenly distributed batting effort leaves England, NZ practically tied after two days of play.

A half century from Will Young and 48* from wicket-keeper Tom Blundell helped New Zealand to post a score of 277-8 by the close of play on day two.

England’s 1st innings effort lasted all of two balls to begin the morning session, with the visitors just 17 runs behind by the time the bails were removed to call time.

James Anderson was in fine form to return figures of 20-2-5-57, though England were unable to take wickets in bunches to truly restrict their opponents.

The hosts began the day with Harry Brook taking a single off the opening ball of the day to push his score to 42*, but that would expose Anderson at the other end as he edged Trent Boult to Blundell to end England’s effort almost immediately.

With Anderson and Broad looking to create their usual unrest with the new ball, openers Young and Tom Latham did all they could to resist.

Both men nicked to gully early, only to see the ball fall just short of a waiting fielder each time, a symptom of the sluggish surface that has struggled to offer much bounce for either team.

Young edged a further two deliveries, one short of Foakes behind the stumps and one that flew through a vacant 5th slip, before Latham somehow contrived to bottom edge a Jofra Archer short ball onto his own stumps to leave New Zealand at 45-1 by the drinks break.

After that, Kane Williamson’s side would all take turns to make healthy starts, with no man really pushing on to a big total.

Devon Conway would stick around and put on a half-century stand with Young before the opener departed for 50 four overs before lunch, with the tourists heading into the break at 88-2.

Conway (40 off 73) would be the only wicket to fall in the afternoon session as he, Williamson (43 off 95) and Henry Nicholls (34 off 73) all enjoyed useful knocks that led to productive partnerships.

At 176-3 come the tea break, New Zealand were looking good value to pass England’s total of 294 but as can often happen, the interruption to play brought the fall of a wicket, with Williamson falling to his opposite number, bowled by Joe Root with the very first ball of the evening session.

As was the case earlier in the day and going against the popular saying, one refused to bring two for the hosts.

Nicholls continued his march with Blundell at the other end before nicking off to Anderson, only for Colin De Grandhomme to arrive and enjoy a 52-run stand with the NZ keeper before the all-rounder fell three overs before stumps.

That wicket did bring quick returns for Joe Root’s side, with Anderson completing his five for with two quick strikes late in the day.

Kyle Jamison could only edge a length ball that swung and seamed in equal measure before colliding with the stumps, whilst Ajaz Patel decided to take on the Lancashire man as soon as he arrived at the crease, clattering three boundaries before holing out to Ollie Pope in a very curious piece of decision making.

New Zealand will begin day three with Tom Blundell unbeaten on 48 and looking to make his third half-century in as many innings this series, whilst Tim Southee and Trent Boult will try to stick around and help their side create as big a lead as possible.

England's James Anderson:

“I think we did really well today to stick with what we were trying to do. New Zealand refused to make it easy for us, but that’s to be expected from a top side.

“It’s always nice to take wickets, but there’s no added incentive after the Winter, not at all. I’m here like the other 10 guys in the changing room, trying to do everything possible to get a win and we’re all pulling in the same direction.

“That’s always the same, and will continue to be the way regardless. Now we just need to take two quick wickets tomorrow before batting for as long as possible to put up a big total to chase.”

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BALL

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BALL

 

[DuneTiger]

This might be the most exciting bowling attack I can remember in English whites... as much as that hurts me to say . And even than the champ still takes the headlines. Lord Jimmy!

 

[Rumple43]

This might be the most exciting bowling attack I can remember in English whites... as much as that hurts me to say . And even than the champ still takes the headlines. Lord Jimmy!

Had to get Jofra back into the mix! Figured it would be fun to use him, and he didn't disappoint.

Not to play spoiler, but this 2nd Test is one to follow, 100%. Was an incredible contest.

 

[Rumple43]

​

Blundell, NZ tail once again frustrate on day three before restricting England to 188-6 at close​

Tourist’s wicket-keeper continues to be England’s kryptonite as 2nd Test heads for home straight.

Tom Blundell marshalled the New Zealand tail through the morning session of day three, adding 65 valuable runs to the visitor’s overnight total to finish on 342 all out.

England would then battle throughout the remaining two sessions in murky and overcast conditions, eventually finishing on 188-6 with Ollie Pope as their last remaining recognised batter.

That leaves the hosts 140 runs ahead as things stand, with both teams feeling they still have a good chance in the contest due to the pitch’s continued deterioration.



With England looking to make quick inroads and halt New Zealand’s ability to build any kind of 1st innings lead, Blundell and Tim Southee instead compiled the longest partnership of their side’s innings.

55 runs from 151 balls spanned nearly the entire morning session, with Kane Williamson’s men heading to the lunch break at 339-9 as Blundell was finally bowled by Joe Root for 86.

Southee would follow shortly after the interval, lasting an frustrating 78 balls for his 22 before edging Stuart Broad to Ben Foakes.

That left James Anderson with no further wickets, closing with figures of 23-3-5-62, though he, like all England’s bowlers, had plenty of opportunity to take wickets during the morning’s play.



Despite losing opener Tom Haines cheaply, he was caught behind off Kyle Jamieson for 8, England built well throughout the afternoon before a series of wobbles derailed their progress.

86-1 quickly became 91-3 as Rory Burns and then Josh Bohannon both departed, with the latter’s contribution of 36 from 64 balls looking unlikely to earn much favour with the England selectors ahead of the 3rd and final Test next week.

Forging on in the overcast conditions, England lost the key wickets of captain Joe Root for 10 as he played on to a delivery from Ajaz Patel, then Harry Brook as the Yorkshire man lost his off stump to Tim Southee for a duck.

Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes rebuilt for a time, counter-punching effectively to add a valuable 40 runs off 56 balls before Foakes fell to Patel, leaving Pope and Archer to see things through to the close.



England will need to take a leaf from their opponent’s book tomorrow morning, adding late order runs would allow them to post an imposing total to chase down.

It’s been an area of concern for Root’s side in recent times, and another failure here could easily open the door to New Zealand levelling the series 1-1.

A score of 248 would leave New Zealand needing over 200 to secure victory, which no doubt carries with a psychological factor as well as extending the time needed to chase on this tricky Trent Bridge pitch.

Still 60 runs short of that mark, that’s easier said than done for England, leaving this match, and series, delicately poised.

England's Ollie Pope:

“I think this one is a bit of a glass half full type situation, if I’m honest with you.

“We’d like some more runs on the board, of course, what team wouldn’t? But we’re realistic that the longer we can bat tomorrow, the harder it is going to be for New Zealand to chase.

“It’s getting tough out there, and I’m really pleased with 67, it’s been hard work. Still, we’re not done yet and tomorrow gives us another opportunity to keep pushing forward.”

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BALL

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BALL

 

[Rumple43]

Not to play spoiler, but this 2nd Test is one to follow, 100%. Was an incredible contest.

Just gonna highlight this one again haha

 

[Rumple43]

​

England, New Zealand play out instant classic, record just the third tie in Test history​

Trent Boult was nearly the hero before falling with the scores level, England head to Leeds still 1-0 up.

For just the third time ever in over 2,000 tests since 1877, England and New Zealand settled the 2nd test from Trent Bridge in a tie.

The crowd were left stunned as the events unfolded on an unforgettable day from Nottingham, with both teams giving it their all to secure the win.

Instead England will go to Headingley next week with their 1-0 series lead intact, though no doubt the happier of the two teams as they sealed a positive result from a game that appeared to have slipped from their grasp.

England’s 2nd innings lasted just 45 minutes into day four, with Archer popping an ambitious cut shot to point to end a 38 run stand with Ollie Pope. Stuart Broad and Mark Wood followed shortly after before Pope was dismissed for a team-high 82, setting New Zealand 179 to win.

Defending a relatively meagre total, England needed the best start possible and were given it as out of form opener Tom Latham chased a wide one to slash to a diving Joe Root at fourth slip. The wicket immediately sent the hopeful crowd into raptures, with the hosts matching that energy with the belief that only an early wicket can bring.

Fellow opener Will Young would follow not long after, out driving to Rory Burns at short mid-off with the score on 28, once again breathing life into the notion that England could dismiss their opponents short of the total required.

51-2 at lunch, New Zealand enjoyed a renaissance as Kane Williamson and Devon Conway built steadily to push the visitors past the century mark, though both would perish before the tea interval to leave the score at 128-4.

Conway’s 73 proved to his side’s top score of the innings and during his time at the crease the visitors looked nailed on for a victory.

With just 51 runs needed to secure victory in the day’s final session, England needed quick wickets and after struggling during the afternoon session, they found their answer.

James Anderson bowled Tom Blundell, a man who’s been England’s nemesis so far this series before Jofra Archer took two wickets in four balls, nabbing Henry Nicholls then Kyle Jamieson as both men were caught behind by Ben Foakes.

128-4 had become 142-7, waking up the crowd who feared the game had drifted away from the hosts during the previous session. Still 37 runs short of their goal, the few New Zealand fans dotted around the Trent Bridge stands were becoming increasingly nervous.

With allrounder Colin De Grandhomme still at the crease, plenty of pressure was being heaped on the 35-year-old’s shoulders. He pushed his team to 154-7 before chopping on against Stuart Broad as the eight wicket to wall, sending the contest see-sawing back in England’s favour, the anxious crowd unsure which way the contest would go next.

Still 25 runs short, spinner Ajaz Patel would steady the ship with Tim Southee, though the latter survived an edge that fell short of slip as the runs needed dipped below 20.

Perhaps wanting to be aggressive, or perhaps more nervous under the circumstances, Patel then pushed an Anderson delivery out to midwicket before immediately calling for a run. Slow to get out of the blocks after the shot, Patel would be caught short of his ground by a direct hit from Tom Haines, reducing NZ to their final wicket with 17 runs still needed.

Facing 10 and 11, England’s bowling attack all took a turn to try and grab the final wicket but NZ resisted once again, digging in and refusing to go quietly.

Southee survived a close LBW shout that saw the entire of Trent Bridge appeal with Anderson, but even upon review the not out decision was a good one.

Closer and closer Williamson’s side edged, dreaming the unthinkable with their last remaining wicket, and with the finish line within touching distance, it was Boult who flicked Archer through midwicket for a boundary that would tie the scores after almost four days of incredible action.

Any run would do, off bat, pad, even extras, the tension inside Trent Bridge could be cut with a knife. Bringing every fielder in to stop the one, Archer’s first delivery missed everything, leaving England’s players and fans distraught that they couldn’t find an edge.

It wouldn’t matter as Archer’s next delivery did the trick. Trying once again to flick to midwicket, the area that he’d enjoyed a boundary through just a few balls before, Boult instead found the waiting hands of Harry Brook who did the job, calling time on what will no doubt go down as one of the greatest test matches ever played.

James Anderson collected Player of the Match honours with figures of 7-110, whilst Patel enjoyed returns of 6-111 in reply.

Both teams now moves to Headingley for the final contest of the three game series, with England remaining 1-0 ahead. How the teams react to this remarkable match remains to be seen, and which camp feels they “won” or “lost” from this historic tied test.

England captain Joe Root:

“Absolutely speechless. I don’t know what I can say about that one that would do it justice.

“Sport always finds a way to bring out the very best from the big occasions, the passion it evokes and the way that the action can twist and turn.

“I don’t think anyone saw this finish coming, it was incredible, and credit to the boys for staying the course and never losing faith, even once New Zealand drew level.

“We’ll be celebrating after this one, no doubt, as we’re delighted to still be ahead in the series with one game to go. I’m proud of my team, and wow, what a game!”

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BALL

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BALL

Spoiler: Match Summary

.

 

[Rumple43]

​

England v New Zealand (3rd Test, three match series, England lead 1-0)

Date: 23-27 June 2022

Venue: Headingley, Leeds

Weather: Expect a largely overcast start to the match, with temperatures generally between 16 and 20 degrees. The sun may shine through in spells, and if any poor weather does arrive it could be on day three. Once it clearly, expect the sun to dominate for the last two days. That change should see temperatures rise to the mid-20s.

Pitch: Unlike the green strips from the first two tests, the Headingley staff have served up a much browner, harder surface that should give the batters more to work with early on. Expect the surface to wear as the game progresses, making winning the toss, and batting first, more appetising than earlier games this summer.

England can wrap up a series win against New Zealand if they can avoid defeat at Headingley this week.​

After the scarcely believable antics from Trent Bridge, with an incredibly rare tied game being recorded, Joe Root’s side are still 1-0 up with just one Test left play.

With the forecast set to be pretty fair for the duration, it makes the prospect of a weather-affected draw remote, giving the visitors hope they can force a result that would tie the series.

How Kane Williamson’s side bounce back from last week’s body blow remains to be seen however, with New Zealand looking odds on to win in Nottingham before having to settle for the tie, and letting slip the possibility of winning this series outright.

Line Ups​

England make two changes for the team that drew at Trent Bridge, most prominently welcoming world-class allrounder Ben Stokes back into the fold after a minor ankle injury.

He’s not the only allrounder in England’s ranks either, with Gloucestershire’s Ryan Higgins making a surprise return to the side after his injury during last winter’s tour of the Caribbean.

Higgins will aim to lengthen an England tail that has struggled to match Kane Williamson’s side for late-order returns, and Josh Bohannon has also been dropped after scoring just 68 runs across his first three appearances.

Jofra Archer retains his place after taking four wickets in his return to the side last week, with Mark Wood the odd man out in England’s all pace attack.

Burns and Haines will open, with Brook expected to move up to three. That allows England to keep captain Root at four with Ollie Pope, Stokes, keeper Ben Foakes and Higgins providing quality batting all the way to eight.

New Zealand have played some great cricket in this series and will no doubt be wondering how they’re staring down the barrel of a series defeat.

The tourists make one change from Trent Bridge, an enforced one as Colin De Grandhomme is missing through injury and has been replaced by Daryl Mitchell.

That leaves an unchanged top six of Latham, Young, Conway, Williamson, Nicholls and wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, who 68.75 with the bat so far this series.

The bowling attack will be led by Trent Boult and Tim Southee, with Kyle Jamieson, spinner Ajaz Patel and Mitchell offering alternatives.

Tale of the tape​

Despite being well-matched in both Tests so far, literally in the case of last week’s tie in Trent Bridge, England remain in the driving seat of this series and know they can secure an overall victory with any kind of positive result.

Much will be made of England’s decision to include two allrounders, with the pressure no doubt being on both Stokes and Higgins to produce with bat and ball. Their exclusion of a main spinner is also a question mark given how the pitch could wear in the coming days.

Kane Williamson’s side will still need to bounce back from their last outing and claim some form of pride from this series, though how well the visitors can pick themselves back up could be the defining point of the next five days.

Expect another even contest that is sure to provide quality Test cricket throughout.

 

[Rumple43]

​

England close on 306-8 in quest for 2-0 series win​

A second century of the summer for Harry Brook is the standout for the hosts, with Southee’s 4-97 NZ’s best in reply.

A stunning 116 from 178 balls from Harry Brook pushed England over the 300 mark on the opening day of the 3rd Test from Headingley, delighting the home crowd in the process.

Brook has made his mark on the international stage this series, with a match-winning 103* at Lord’s being followed up by today’s effort, with Ben Stokes (47) and Tom Haines (36) also playing their part.

Tim Southee was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, closing on figures of 22-2-4-97, with Kyle Jamieson and spinner Ajaz Patel both collecting two wickets apiece.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Joe Root’s decision to trust the pitch rather than the overcast conditions saw England move to 39-1 after the first hour, with Rory Burns the only casualty as he was caught by Tom Latham off Jamison for 15.

That brought newly promoted number three Brook to the crease, replacing Josh Bohannon up the order, and he and Tom Haines pushed England to 87-1 at lunch.

Haines would fall quickly after the break, gloving a ball from Jamieson that spat off the surface before looping back to the bowler for a return catch with the Sussex man just seven runs short of another half century.



England would then lose Root and Ollie Pope cheaply, eventually moving on to 189-4 at tea with the spoils evenly shared thus far.

Ben Stokes would play naturally upon his arrival at the crease, and with a willing accomplice in Brook at the other end, the first over after tea went for nine as the duo would score at not far off a run a ball.

That acceleration would see Brook make it to his second Test match 100 off 148 balls, but shortly after England would suffer their worst patch of play across the day.

At 243-4 and with two well-set batters at the crease, Brook would depart, quickly followed by allrounder Ryan Higgins, who had brought into the side for his batting ability. Stokes would also fall, leaving England's efforts in a much more precarious position at 250-7.

Ben Foakes would help put the brakes on that slide, putting together a partnership of 52 with Jofra Archer, but the Surrey keeper would be emphatically bowled just a few overs before close to leave England 8 down heading into day two.

With the forecast set for sunny spells and cloudy intervals tomorrow, England’s trio of Archer, Broad and Anderson will need to produce with both bat and ball tomorrow to ensure a solid opening day is converted into a decent advantage once both teams have had a go.

England’s Harry Brook:

“I’m delighted to have managed to make another hundred for England, it’s something you can never take for granted.

“I’ve felt really good this summer, building off getting a nod in the West Indies, and I’m glad I’ve been able to repay some of that faith.

“I’m a little frustrated to have got out when I did, me and Stokesy were beginning to really put something good together, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BALL

 

[Rumple43]

​

England eye healthy advantage after Broad, Anderson and Archer star with bat and ball​

Tail finally wags to push hosts to 381 before reducing visitors to 203-8 by the end of day two.

Stuart Broad’s first Test fifty since July 2020 helped England to 381 all out before Joe Root's side gained the upper hand over New Zealand.

The hosts enjoyed 135 runs across 201 balls to consume a large chunk of the morning session, frustrating the visitors as Broad and co. enjoyed their fair share of good fortune, all whilst the scoreboard continued to tick over.

Jofra Archer (3-40), Broad (2-63) and James Anderson (1-38) would all then turn the screw as England made serious inroads into New Zealand's line up to begin setting up a potential win at Headingley.



Archer fell early in the day’s play, just 3.1 overs in, though he and Broad put on a useful 22 off 29 that stretched back to the previous evening. Still, the wicket did little to suggest that a rear-guard effort from Broad and Anderson was on the way.

The Nottinghamshire man brought up an entertaining half century from just 61 balls right before the drinks break, delighting the Headingley crowd as he rolled back the years to his batting heyday.

After the restart the England #10 would inside edge consecutive deliveries to fine leg for another eight runs, before eventually falling for 59 off 70 balls and leaving New Zealand a tricky 35 minutes to navigate before lunch.

That passage of play before the break would get more difficult with another Tom Latham duck, adding to the golden variety he earned in the second innings of the last test, that left New Zealand at 0-1.

Anderson was once again the man to dislodge the opener, getting his wicket for a third time in five innings as the veteran bowled beautifully with the new ball.

Recently recalled Archer also played his part, nabbing both Devon Conway and Kane Williamson cheaply, with the former coming via an incredible diving catch by Tom Haines in the covers, to leave NZ on 28-3 at lunch.

Young and Nicholls would steady the ship after the interval to put on 50 together before Nicholls then Tom Blundell would depart in the space of five balls, leaving the visitors once again teetering.

Opener Young would continue to carry his bat and made a useful 60 before becoming Broad’s second victim of the innings, caught behind just a few overs short of the tea break.

Daryl Mitchell and Kyle Jamieson would provide stability with another half century partnership, but Mitchell would depart on 46, leaving Tim Southee as the last man to get out before the close.

With the prospect of some rain tomorrow it appears unlikely that New Zealand will add major runs to their current haul, though Kyle Jamison’s 45* will give them hope of getting England back within touching distance.

England’s Stuart Broad:

“That was a bit of a throwback, wasn’t it?!

“It’s been a while since I’ve done a bit with the bat, but it was good fun. Having Jimmy at the other end, we had a good chuckle and of course, every run is an extra one we have to bowl with.

“I think we can be pleased with our efforts with the ball as well. They had a few good stands but we always back ourselves to get wickets and we did that today.”

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 1st Innings - BALL

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 1st Innings - BALL

 

[Rumple43]

​

New Zealand still require over 300 runs to win 3rd Test, seven wickets remain to save the series​

15 wickets fall on day three as final Test races towards a conclusion.

England’s quickfire and occasionally reckless second innings left New Zealand to book end day three with the bat as they try to chase down 372 for a win that would save their series.

With the visitors at 17-3 at one stage of their effort, Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls would provide some stability before close to push the score to 68-3 but the damage may already have been done.

England would put up 216 in just 55.3 overs after bowling out the visitors for 225 during the morning session.



The day began with Kyle Jamison picking up a well earned 50 off 122 deliveries, though Ajaz Patel would fall soon after England got their hands on the new ball at the 80 over mark.

Jamieson would be the last man out, trying to push on with just Trent Boult for company, but both men would soon be involved in the action as England’s second innings began with a bang.

Almost as soon as they’d started, Joe Root’s side were 7-2, with Haines and Burns both falling cheaply.

Root and Harry Brook would rebuild to lunch at 47-2, with their partnership eventually passing 100 in the afternoon whilst England’s advantage swelled.



Both men would clock half centuries before Brook and Pope were dismissed before tea, but England would decide to step on the accelerator in the final session, a curious decision with the amount of time still left in the game.

163-4 at the start of the evening session would lead to England being 216 all out but with 373 runs to win and another tricky hour period to navigate, New Zealand were still firmly up against it.

Just as in the first innings, Tom Latham once again picked up a duck with his nemesis for the summer James Anderson sending the opener packing, completing his miserable series with an average of just 9.17.

0-1 for the second time in the match, NZ would then slip to 7-2 after Devon Conway played on to Jofra Archer, and Anderson would potentially signal the beginning of the end when he had Young caught behind for six.

Williamson and Nicholls would counter-attack, putting on 51 from 72 balls before close but with 305 runs still needed, the odds as firmly stacked against the world champions.

With no qualms about the weather and with a pitch beginning to offer assistance to the bowlers, England will fancy their chances of wrapping up this Test and a 2-0 series win at some point tomorrow.

England captain Joe Root:

“We wanted to try and get on with things this evening, and with the talent we have and the way they like to play, we fancied out chances.

“It didn’t quite come off as the pitch has perhaps deteriorated a bit more than we thought, but three wickets before close and 300 plus still in front, we fancy our chances.

“It’s been a brilliant series, in truth, and if we can close it 2-0 winners, we’ll be delighted. We can’t count on that until it happens though, so roll on tomorrow.”

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: England 2nd Innings - BALL

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BALL

 

[Rumple43]

​

England make short work of New Zealand, wrap up 2-0 series win after 3rd Test mauling​

Vintage 6-33 from James Anderson sees World Champions slump to a 235-run defeat at Headingley.

England needed less than a session of the fourth day to wrap up the 3rd Test against visitors New Zealand, who couldn’t muster some magic to save their series.

Starting the day on 68-3, Lancashire’s Jimmy Anderson continued to show that age is just a number, adding four more New Zealand wickets to the pair he collected yesterday, finishing the series with an average of just 15.75.

Captain Kane Williamson’s 52 was his side’s top score in the 4th innings, with Henry Nicholls adding 27. Darryl Mitchell was the only other Kiwi to make double figures, he had 16.



Already facing a steep battle to get anything from both this game and the series as a whole, day four started poorly for the visitors as they shipped early wickets.

Anderson had already collected his 33rd career Test five-for, rolling Williamson, Nicholls and Tom Blundell before drinks had made their way to the middle halfway through the morning session.

129-7 at the mini-interval, New Zealand’s torment was over shortly afterwards as it took England just over half an hour to take the remaining three wickets needed.



Needing sizable partnerships to chase down the imposing total of 372, New Zealand got 65 from Nicholls and Williamson, but their next highest pairing put on just 16, with everyone else combining for partnerships of single digits.

With a score of 116 in the 1st innings and 52 when batting yesterday, Harry Brook was selected as Man of the Match for his efforts. Given his form throughout the summer so far, it felt to all watching like the Yorkshire man could become a fixture in England’s plans for a considerable number of years to come.

Man of the Series honours also went to Brook, who scored an impressive 337 runs across the three-match series, with a trio of half centuries, two of which he converted to triple digits.

The selection was a close-run thing, with Anderson’s 20 wickets at 15.75 providing some serious competition.

The leading run scorer for New Zealand was wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, who fought so hard in the first two Tests of the series to keep the tourists in the hunt. He top scored with 285 runs across six innings, with an average of 47.50.

Tim Southee took the most wickets for New Zealand (14 wickets @ 28.57), but spinner Ajaz Patel (11 wickets @ 23.36) finished with the team’s lowest bowling average.

England captain Joe Root:

“From our perspective, it’s job done.

“We wanted to win the series and keep that momentum going from the Winter, and that’s exactly what we did.

“Credit to Jimmy with the ball, and Harry with the bat, they both stood out and deserve their awards, but this was a team effort across all three Tests, so credit to the boys. We now look forward to the arrival of South Africa and what should be another great series.”

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson:

“We’re disappointed, of course, you always are when you come up short in any walk of life. Sport is no different, and we felt we had enough in the locker coming here to win this series.

“We don’t want to harp on about it too much and it wasn’t a focus coming in, it’s hard to say how much of an impact the end of the 2nd Test had on this match, and where we could have been if we’d just found a way to get over the line at Trent Bridge.

“That sounds like we’re making excuses, and that’s certainly not the case. Congrats to Joe, and to his side. We’ll regroup, look at what we did well, what we didn’t do as well as we could have, and we’ll be good to go from there.”

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BAT

Spoiler: New Zealand 2nd Innings - BALL

Spoiler: Match Summary

 

[Rumple43]

Finally wrapped up! It only took me 3 months to finish the 3rd test, apologies to anyone who stayed the course!

There is good reason for that delay though. I managed to pick up a voluntary position with a local football team that started during the summer, so since the beginning of June I've been devoting time to that. It's been awesome to be around the players and staff, doing photography work, match reports, social media stuff, but sadly that has all come at the expense of Cricket 22 and the time needed to keep up with writing this content.

Rather inevitably, this is the end of the line for this little story. Much earlier than planned, but I didn't even have this volunteer opportunity on my radar until I'd kicked this story into gear and was already into it. Still, that's life sometimes.

Massive thanks to anyone that read and/or commented. 8,000+ views is a decent effort I reckon.

Series averages for the NZ matches are updated for anyone interested, as are the life time averages.

Thanks all