England vs New Zealand LIVE: Cricket score and updates from third Test as Alex Lees and Zak Crawley both out
Crawley #Crawley
England and New Zealand set up yet another grandstand finish to a Test match after a see-saw day three left New Zealand 137 runs in front with five wickets in hand overnight.
The series has been compelling throughout as momentum has swung wildly between two attacking teams, and this Headingley Test has followed the pattern of the games at Lord’s and Trent Bridge with the two sides taking it in turns to take charge. New Zealand seemed in control on Saturday as Kane Williamson neared a measured half-century, before Matthew Potts, Joe Root and Jack Leach picked up a wicket each in the evening session to put the hosts in control.
If England can chase down New Zealand’s total in the fourth innings, they will complete a 3-0 series whitewash, capping the perfect start for the new regime of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
Follow all the latest coverage of today’s match with our live blog below:
England vs New Zealand – Third Test, day four at Headingley
Latest score: New Zealand 329 & 326; England 360 and 59-2 – 237 more to win
England need 296 to win
WICKET! Crawley holes out to cover. England 51-2
WICKET! Lees run out early on. England 17-1
New Zealand all out for 326
LUNCH! New Zealand don’t lose a wicket in morning session – 254-5. Lead by 223
New Zealand resume third innings on 168-5
Ben Foakes out after testing positive for Covid-19
Foakes replaced in England line-up by Sam Billings
England 59-2 (Pope 16*, Root 3*) Target 296
17:02 , Luke Baker
Pope gets the opening ball of Bracewell’s over beyond the infield for a single before Root sweeps for two.
Ouch! Root then sweeps the next ball into the leg/knee of short leg but he doesn’t even flinch. Tough guys, those New Zealanders.
REVIEW! England 56-2 (Pope 15*, Root 1*) Target 296
16:59 , Luke Baker
Southee into the seventh over of this opening spell. Root defends watchfully for the first few balls and then a big APPEAL for lbw by Southee.
It looked like Root got outside the line but New Zealand opt to REVIEW. Feels optimistic. And yep, DRS agrees, it struck him way outside the line so that’s a review lost.
Story continues
The very next ball, another lbw APPEAL by Southee. Looks very similar to be honest, maybe a touch closer but still striking outside the line and again, DRS agrees. A second review wasted!
Final delivery defended well and the crowd sarcastically appeal as it hits the middle of its bat. Great stuff! And a good over for England as the Black Caps burn two of their three reviews.
England 56-2 (Pope 15*, Root 1*) Target 296
16:53 , Luke Baker
Joe Root in at No 4 and he takes an early single with a nudge to leg. Pope follows that up with a lovely drive for FOUR through the covers.
The difference to the Crawley dismissal is that ball was full enough to drive and Pope duly did.
Five off the over but Crawley dismissed.
OUT! Crawley c Williamson b Bracewell 25. England 51-2
16:51 , Luke Baker
Oh no! Zak Crawley is OUT! It’s the drive that does for him but not against the spinners this time, it’s against the spinner Bracewell.
The ball isn’t there to drive and he loops it up, where Kane Williamson can dive forward from cover, where he just placed himself, to make the catch. Crawley fell right into the trap as the ball was tossed up. England 51-2.
England 51-1 (Crawley 25*, Pope 11*) Target 296
16:48 , Luke Baker
Lovely shot by Pope as he leans on the ball and pounds it through the covers for FOUR! That’s already 50 UP for England. Headingley certainly isn’t a slow-scoring ground.
Big appeal from Southee as the ball hits Pope’s pads but it’s always drifting down leg and his teammates don’t really join in. Richard Kettleborough uninterested.
England 47-1 (Crawley 25*, Pope 7*) Target 296
16:43 , Luke Baker
After going for 20 off his previous over, Boult removed from the attack and Michael Bracewell comes on. A bit of spin – Jack Leach has taken 10-fer in the match, so there’s something in the pitch.
Singles off the first two balls before Crawley takes a step or two down the pitch but the ball turns into his midriff. That’s the right area for Bracewell.
A big attempted sweep from Crawley then hits his pads but well outside the line, so a stifled appeal. The final delivery is dispatched for FOUR though as he slog-sweeps past midwicket, along the ground most of the way, and it hits the fence. Nice shot despite Bracewell’s optimistic cries of ‘catch it!’
England 41-1 (Crawley 20*, Pope 6*) Target 296
16:39 , Luke Baker
Pope finally gets off the mark off his 12th delivery as he flicks one off his legs for two. And then from the final ball of Southee’s over, Pope joins the boundary party as he pumps one straight down the ground for FOUR!
Too straight and on to his pads from Southee and Pope takes advantage.
England 35-1 (Crawley 20*, Pope 0*) Target 296
16:35 , Luke Baker
Much better from Crawley. Boult leaves it short and Crawley pulls off the front foot for FOUR. That’s the opener’s bread and butter, Boult will know he should be pitching the ball up.
It’s FOUR more for the Kent man. He throws his hands at one outside off, it’s off the toe-end of the bat, in the air but over the infield and it races away through the covers. Not exactly conventional or convincing but he’s into double figures.
That’s good though – straight down the ground and another FOUR runs through mid-off. Not perfect length from Boult and punished. Crawley wants this done by the end of play…
A good leave and then another drive through the covers for FOUR! That’s 16 off the over and Crawley now on 20. Trying to thump his way back to confidence and form – it’s not the worst idea to be honest. Those last two boundaries looked better as well.
England 19-1 (Crawley 4*, Pope 0*) Target 296
16:30 , Luke Baker
APPEAL from Southee of the first ball of the over but it’s only really him who goes up for it. Inside edge on to the pads from Crawley, so nothing doing.
New Zealand already trying to get the ball changed a few overs in but it still goes through the umpire’s little holey gizmo, so no dice just yet.
A late defensive stroke from Crawley is pretty unconvincing and then a jaffer from Southee slices through the gate but somehow goes over the top of the stumps. The keeper can’t handle it and it’s a bye. Hard to see Crawley surviving much longer…
England 18-1 (Crawley 4*, Pope 0*) Target 296
16:25 , Luke Baker
Dodgy shot from Pope as he doesn’t move his feet on an attempted drive and he misses Boult’s delivery outside off.
It’s good bowling from New Zealand’s openers and Boult completes a maiden.
England 18-1 (Crawley 4*, Pope 0*) Target 296
16:20 , Luke Baker
Really poor communication and running between the wicket from England’s openers. Made a complete mess of it.
Ollie Pope in at three and they run a leg bye from the second ball- of Southee’s over. Right, can Crawley get that out of his head and build an innings?
He inside edges one on to his pads but survives the rest of the over.
OUT! Lees run out (Williamson/Boult) 9. England 17-1
16:16 , Luke Baker
Almost a mix-up from the first ball of Boult’s over as Crawley sets off for a run that is never there, Lees sends him back and he dives into his ground as the ball comes fizzing past the stumps from midwicket. Direct hit would’ve been close.
Crawley then forced to jam his bat down late on an inswinging ball. He was initially going to leave that. Half appeal as the ball strikes his leg but too high and probably too straight.
Oh no! Lees is OUT! Crawley tempted to drive off the final ball and it’s a decent connection, well fielded by Kane Williamson. Mix-up with the run, Lees sent back to the non-striker’s end but the ball beats him, Boult collects and whips off the bails. Run out. Disaster for England
England 17-0 (Lees 9*, Crawley 4*) Target 296
16:10 , Luke Baker
Always seems to be some drama with these England openers!
FOUR more for Lees though as he gets on the front foot and drives through the off side. Perhaps a bit squarer than intended but it’s safely along the ground and races away.
Connects with the next delivery on a similar shot but straight to the fielder and sees out the over with a defensive shot.
England 13-0 (Lees 5*, Crawley 4*) Target 296
16:06 , Luke Baker
The wind has got up a bit at Headingley, which isn’t particularly conducive to swing bowling.
Crawley, the one man yet to shine under the ‘Baz Ball’ of Brendon McCullum on strike to Trent Boult – the man who has caused him fits this series (and last summer). If ever there was a time for the Kent man to make his first big score in a while…
Solid defence, finding the middle of the blade each time, from the first five balls. Flashes hard at the final delivery, he can’t resist the drive, and it’s a shrap edge, just over the top of the slip cordon for FOUR! In fact, Southee got fingertips to it… A let-off for Crawley.
England 9-0 (Lees 5*, Crawley 0*) Target 296
16:02 , Luke Baker
First ball of Tim Southee’s first over, round the wicket and it’s into Lees’ pads, the ball goes fine of fine leg and zips to the boundary for FOUR leg byes!
Already chipping away at the target. No runs from the rest of the over, so Zak Crawley will be on strike for the first time.
England 5-0 (Lees 5*, Crawley 0*) Target 296
16:00 , Luke Baker
Right, here we go. Can England do it again? Alex Lees and Zak Crawley the men to open the batting in pursuit of 296.
Lees on strike and from the third ball he nicks one through the slip cordon for FOUR! Unconvincing but he’s off the mark.
Final ball of the over is wafted to fine leg for a single. 5 from the over.
VIDEO: Leach takes final wicket and get 10 for the match
15:56 , Luke Baker
A second consecutive five-fer for Jack Leach and 10 for the match as he ends the New Zealand innings. England need 296 to win.
VIDEO: Billings catches Wagner between his knees!
15:53 , Luke Baker
A double wicket maiden for Leach as Wagner was caught by Billings, between his knees!
VIDEO: Southee clean bowled by Leach
15:49 , Luke Baker
Leach removed Southee to keep England rolling
VIDEO: Leach has Bracewell caught in the deep
15:46 , Luke Baker
Bracewell was next to fall as Leach had him caught in the deep
VIDEO: Potts makes breakthrough to remove Mitchell
15:42 , Luke Baker
Let’s take a look at the wickets that fell today, as England finally dismissed New Zealand.
The initial breakthrough, after a frustrating morning session where the Black Caps didn’t lose a wicket, came when Matty Potts dismissed Daryl Mitchell
England vs New Zealand
15:40 , Luke Baker
That’s also tea. It was due at 3.59pm (me, either…) but they’ve taken it early between innings. So England will have an extended evening session to start their run chase.
This match could go either way – the beauty is that both sides will genuinely fancy their chances.
England vs New Zealand
15:37 , Luke Baker
Normally chasing 296 in the fourth innnings of a Test match wouldn’t be a likely scenario but this England side are rewriting the rules. They’ll fancy this!
Potts ends with 3-66 and Leach with 5-66 – they were clearly England’s two standout bowlers in that innings. A match ten-fer for Leach as well.
Tom Blundell batted sublimely and he is stranded on 88. The Black Caps will like their chances of defending 295 as well.
OUT! Boult b Leach 4. New Zealand 326 all out (Blundell 88*) Lead by 295
15:35 , Luke Baker
Boult on strike, can Leach finally finish this off? Erm, no… Boult charges and cracks the ball through midwicket for FOUR.
And now it’s over! Leach skips one past Boult’s defences for another clean bowled – he’s OUT!
That’s another 5-fer for Leach and 10 wickets in a Test match for the first time for the spinner. Brilliant stuff – well deserved for Leach.
New Zealand all out for 326 and England need 296 to win.
New Zealand 322-9 (Blundell 88*, Boult 0*) Lead by 291
15:31 , Luke Baker
Potts still bowling from the other end. Blundell turns down a single towards square leg from the third ball and then gets FOUR from the next delivery as he comes down the track and rams it through backward point.
Final ball of the over and he ramps it! Up and over the keeper for FOUR. How very white-ball of Blundell.
New Zealand 314-9 (Blundell 80*, Boult 0*) Lead by 283
15:27 , Luke Baker
A couple of defensive shots from Boult before a swing is stopped well in the infield.
Then a sharp EDGE to Joe Root at slip. It’s well to his right but he might get his fingers under it, however he can’t pick it and it hits the turf. Penultimate ball nearly slips through but an inside edge from Boult takes it on to his pad and England (rightly) don’t review after the umpire says no.
New Zealand 314-9 (Blundell 80*, Boult 0*) Lead by 283
15:23 , Luke Baker
A double wicket maiden for Leach in that over – cracking stuff.
Trent Boult in, as one of the all-time greatest batting No 11s. Blundell on strike to Potts though and takes a massive swipe to midwicket but declines the run. He might as well try to add some quick runs here.
Next ball is a peach, cuts him in half and goes through to the keeper. Half-appeal for lbw from the third but was heading down leg.
Down the pitch from the penultimate ball and clubs it wide of mid-off for FOUR! A slower ball bouncer off the final delivery as Blundell comes down the pitch again and it’s ruled a wide. Potts doesn’t agree but it crossed the crease well over head height.
So Blundell has another go and works one through the covers for FOUR! England let it run away rather than attempting to keep it to a single as Boult will now be on strike.
OUT! Wagner c Billings b Leach 0. New Zealand 305-9
15:15 , Luke Baker
Neil Wagner the next man in and England’s run chase looms. A bit of variable bounce from Leach and a low one has Wagner reaching but the ball slipping under the bat.
From the final ball of the over there’s a slightly confused, but excited, APPEAL from England. It looked like Wagner might have nicked it and Billings then caught the ball between his knees behind the stumps.
On-field deicsion is OUT and we go to replays to confirm. Snicko shows there is a nick, the ball then hits Billings in the chest, rolls down his body and he traps it between his knees! Remarkable but it’s out!
OUT! Southee b Leach 2. New Zealand 305-8
15:12 , Luke Baker
Got him! First ball of Leach’s over and Southee is OUT!
A tentative push forward from Southee and because of the pace on Leach’s delivery it nips between bat and pat and connects with the top of middle stump. Another breakthrough!
New Zealand 305-7 (Blundell 72*, Southee 2*) Lead by 274
15:10 , Luke Baker
Possibly Potts’ final over of this spell. First ball harmlessly goes down leg, the second is knocked down in front of him by Southee.
A bit of uneven bounce, the ball ricochets of Southee’s glove (of his top hand) and into the leg side for one. Blundell then comes down the wicket, takes a massive swing to leg, misses completely and does a 360-degree pirouette!
New Zealand 304-7 (Blundell 72*, Southee 1*) Lead by 273
15:06 , Luke Baker
Into the 100th over of the New Zealand innings. A fizzing delivery from Leach goes past Blundell’s outside edge and into Billings’ gloves.
He goes to sweep another delivery and it looks like it comes off the glove as it goes really fine and runs down to the fine leg boundary for FOUR! Ungainly but runs.
The field comes up for the final two balls to try and get Southee on strike for Potts and Blundell can’t get the ball beyond the infield, so it will be the new man to face.
300 UP! New Zealand 300-7 (Blundell 68*, Southee 1*) Lead by 269
15:03 , Luke Baker
Blundell takes a swipe at a Potts ball outside the off stump but it fizzes through to Billings. A single thanks to a chop into the off side brings 300 UP for New Zealand.
CLOSE! Potts then gets one to nip between Southee’s bat and pad but it just misses the off stump. A tentative prod outside off from Southee to finish the over that doesn’t connect.
DROP! New Zealand 299-7 (Blundell 67*, Southee 1*) Lead by 268
14:59 , Luke Baker
Southee gets off strike with a cheap single off the first ball and Leach then gets Blundell to lift one into the air on the leg side but it falls a couple of yards in front of Overton at backward square.
Then a DROP by Joe Root at first slip. To be fair, Southee was cutting the ball, he edged it hard to Root standing up and the former skipper had almost no time to react. Did well to get his hands to it but down it goes.
New Zealand 297-7 (Blundell 66*, Southee 0*) Lead by 266
14:55 , Luke Baker
The dangerous Potts steaming in for another over but Blundell plays a ball outside off late and guides it into the ground, wide of the slip cordon and away for FOUR! Nice shot from the set batter.
A quick two with a punch into the leg-side and Potts then finds some extra pace into the bat that leaves Blundell wringing his hand in pain. A wild swing and miss from the final delivery that’s pitched outside off. Almost an edge!
New Zealand 291-7 (Blundell 60*, Southee 0*) Lead by 260
14:51 , Luke Baker
Quick drinks break but Tim Southee the new man at the crease. Three balls left of Jack Leach’s over.
Southee swipes one into the ground, defends the second and the third is chipped IN THE AIR but beyond the diving Matty Potts at extra cover. Leach gets a clap as he returns to his fielding position
OUT! Bracewell c Crawely b Leach 9. New Zealand 291-7
14:48 , Luke Baker
No he can’t! That’s OUT and fully deserved wicket for Jack Leach.
Bracewell tries to go big again but gets under this one, skies it to deep midwicket and Zak Crawley is out there on the boundary to safely take the catch. Leach delighted. You’ll take being hit for six if it means a wicket later in the over!
SIX! New Zealand 291-6 (Blundell 60*, Bracewell 9*) Lead by 260
14:46 , Luke Baker
Bracewell gets aggressive off Leach as he launches a mammoth SIX over long-on. Can he play the role that Broad did for England in their first innings yesterday?
VIDEO: Matty Potts finally breaks NZ partnership
14:45 , Luke Baker
Here’s how Potts FINALLY broke the Blundell-Mitchell partnership
New Zealand 285-6 (Blundell 60*, Bracewell 3*) Lead by 254
14:44 , Luke Baker
Potts shapes one into Bracewell and it thuds into the pads causing a big APPEAL!. Looks like it’s going down leg and umpire Richard Kettleborough agrees, as does hawkeye later in the over. Just a leg bye.
Blundell gets a single later in the over when he swings across the line and Bracewell finally gets off the mark from the final ball of the over as he pushes through the covers, the ball gathers speed across the practice pitches and they run three.
New Zealand 280-6 (Blundell 59*, Bracewell 0*) Lead by 249
14:39 , Luke Baker
Jack Leach to continue at the other end and he forces Blundell back. Some good close fielding then ensures it’s a maiden.
New Zealand 280-6 (Blundell 59*, Bracewell 0*) Lead by 249
14:36 , Luke Baker
Blundell tucks a single behind square that is well fielded and Potts then gets one to shape away from Bracewell and misses the outside edge as the ball thuds into Billings’ gloves. Great ball.
Potts really has been the pock of England’s bowlers and his figures of 3-37 in the second innings bear that out.
New Zealand 279-6 (Blundell 58*, Bracewell 0*) Lead by 248
14:33 , Luke Baker
Another EDGE off Jack Leach! Blundell genuinely edges the ball but once again it drops between Billings and Root as keeper and first slip and races away for FOUR! So frustrating.
Blundell then takes a single through the point region before Bracewell sees off the final delivery from his fellow spinner.
New Zealand 274-6 (Blundell 52*, Bracewell 0*) Lead by 243
14:29 , Luke Baker
Michael Bracewell is the man in at No 8 for New Zealand. One ball to face from Potts and he defends it well.
Can England kick on from here?
OUT! Mitchell lbw b Potts 56. New Zealand 274-6
14:27 , Luke Baker
That’s an overturned lbw decision apiece for these two now. So frustrating for England.
Blundell off strike the next ball as he presses a single into the covers and then another big appeal for lbw, this time against Mitchell, and the finger goes up! The umpire says OUT! New Zealand, of course, review…
No bat involved, so we go to ball-tracking… And this time it stays out! Three reds. At last, the breakthrough as Mitchell departs for 56!
OVERTURNED – NOT OUT! New Zealand 273-5 (Mitchell 56*, Blundell 52*) Lead by 242
14:23 , Luke Baker
Matty Potts back on and first ball – he’s got him! OUT! Full and straight from Potts to Blundell, it raps the pad and the finger goes up – lbw.
New Zealand review. It hasn’t hit the bat, pitches outside off, hits in line but hawkeye says it’s missing leg stump. NOT OUT! Blundell survives and the partnership survives. Heartbreak for England.
New Zealand 273-5 (Mitchell 56*, Blundell 52*) Lead by 242
14:20 , Luke Baker
Blundell up on his toes to punch a single to the covers before Mitchell down on one knee produces a glorious sweep shot for FOUR! Textbook.
England have been trying to induce the sweep and Mitchell obliges but it only leads to runs.
50 UP! New Zealand 268-5 (Mitchell 52*, Blundell 51*) Lead by 237
14:17 , Luke Baker
Another EDGE! Promising for England but it’s just not quite going to hand. Broad induces an edge from Mitchell but it falls short of the slips and wriggles its way through, down to the boundary for FOUR! That’s also the 100 PARTNERSHIP for Blundell and Mitchell – their fourth century partnership of the series. It’s only a three-match series…
Later in the over, Mitchell fences one down through third man for another FOUR and that’s 50 UP! Another half-century for Mitchell in this series – a real thorn in England’s side.
50 UP! New Zealand 260-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 51*) Lead by 229
14:12 , Luke Baker
A change of bowling, some spin in the form of Jack Leach. He bowled impressively with the old ball before lunch, can he get a bit more zip with the newer cherry?
Round the wicket and getting some good drift and with the fourth ball he gets it to turn and an EDGE from Blundell but it drops between Billings behind the stump and Root at first slip. That’s 50 UP for Blundell as they run two, another half-century for him.
New Zealand 258-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 49*) Lead by 227
14:08 , Luke Baker
Broad getting plenty of bounce and Blundell plays one under his eyes with a downward stroke. A push to the off-side move Blundell to 49 and Mitchell safely sees out the rest of the over, although the final ball nips past the outside.
Good bowling by Broad and Potts without any joy so far.
New Zealand 257-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 48*) Lead by 226
14:03 , Luke Baker
A scampered single off Potts’ first ball, followed by a couple of leaves throughout the rest of the over and a couple of blocks. Just the one.
New Zealand 256-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 47*) Lead by 225
13:59 , Luke Baker
CLOSE! Almost a breakthrough from the first ball of Broad’s second over post-lunch as Blundell doesn’t know much about an inside edge that sends the ball rolling back towards the stumps. He lunges with his bat and brushes the ball away from the pegs, it may have been hitting without that intervention.
He gets off strike with a defensive stroke into the leg-side and Mitchell then wears one in his midriff from an inside edge off one that nips in. Just one off the over
New Zealand 255-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 46*) Lead by 224
13:54 , Luke Baker
Matty Potts to continue from the other end, just as he did before lunch.
Drifts slightly to leg with the first ball but well-taken by Billings. A better line after that but the first run of the session comes from the final ball as Blundell flicks one off his hips for a single.
New Zealand 254-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 45*) Lead by 223
13:48 , Luke Baker
Stuart Broad with the first over after lunch. Immediately on the perfect line and length drawing Daryll Mitchell outside off.
Crowd roaring Broad in and he gets a bit of bounce to rear the ball up at Mitchell. Final two deliveries are well left and go through to Billings. A maiden to open things up.
England vs New Zealand
13:44 , Luke Baker
The players are back out at Headingley and we’re about to get underway. England desperately need a breakthrough but they were good at getting exactly that after breaks yesterday…
VIDEO: How Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell have taken the game to England
13:40 , Luke Baker
A frustrating morning for England. Here’s some analysis of how the New Zealand pair have frustrated the hosts
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
13:37 , Luke Baker
Azeem Rafiq attended day three of the Headingley Test between England and New Zealand as Yorkshire’s guest, returning to the ground for the first time since he went public with claims of institutional racism at the club.
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End, having accepted a White Rose invitation to take in a game that was almost relocated at the height of the racism scandal set in motion by his whistleblowing.
Yorkshire’s right to host international fixtures was suspended by the England and Wales Cricket Board after Rafiq’s explosive, harrowing testimony in front a parliamentary select committee last year. The sanction was only lifted four months ago, in recognition of a new leadership regime led by chair Lord Kamlesh Patel and the work it had done to address failures of the past.
Patel told BBC’s Test Match Special on day one that the very existence of the club would have been in doubt had the England team been kept away, such is the commercial value attached to such fixtures.
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell thwart England again at Headingley
13:31 , Luke Baker
England were frustrated by the familiar pairing of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell as New Zealand fought back hard on the fourth morning of the Headingley Test.
Mitchell and Blundell have been constant irritants to England over the course of the series, sharing big stands of 195 and 236 at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, and the pair once again combined to shut down the home attack.
A sequence of four wickets in a rousing evening session on day three had put England firmly in control of the match, but they drew a blank over the course of two difficult hours on Sunday.
The Kiwis added 86 runs without loss, stretching their lead to 223 at lunch, with Mitchell continuing to ride a run of career-best form.
He was 44 not out in a score of 264-5, turning in another impressive showing on the back of three centuries in the series to date, and in the process became the first touring player to score over 500 runs in a Test series of three matches or fewer in England. Blundell, who has also proven himself a player of skill and determination at number seven, was 45no at the break.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell thwart England again at Headingley
England’s Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster Test debut
13:25 , Luke Baker
Jamie Overton has already ridden the highs and the lows of Test cricket in the first three days of his England career and admitted he was enjoying leaving fans “on the edge of their seats”.
Despite being handed a debut at Headingley due to his 90mph pace bowling, Overton almost had his name up in lights for a century in his first ever Test innings.
Instead he was dismissed for 97, a knock that helped drag the game away from New Zealand during a 241-run stand with Jonny Bairstow, who hit an outstanding 162.
Overton did not have long to agonise over the missing three runs, with England hurried back into the field with a 31-run lead.
The tourists looked rock solid at 125-1, but when Overton had Tom Latham caught behind off the first ball of the evening session the tone shifted. They stumbled to 168-5 by the time rain brought an early end, with England surely satisfied to be just 137 behind.
England’s Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster Test debut
Covid-19: England draft in Sam Billings during third New Zealand Test as Ben Foakes tests positive
13:16 , Luke Baker
A reminder of the big story from the start of the day at Headingley.
England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has tested positive for Covid-19, with Kent’s Sam Billings taking his place for the remainder of the Headingley Test.
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain, but later returned a positive test after a check up at the team hotel in Leeds.
Jonny Bairstow deputised with the gloves during the tourists’ second innings but Billings, who made his Test debut in the final match of the Ashes, has been drafted to take over for the rest of the match.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “Ben Foakes was unable to keep wicket on day three of the Third LV= Insurance Test at Headingley suffering from back stiffness. On a further medical assessment yesterday evening, he subsequently tested positive after administering an LFT Covid-19 test.
“Details of his return to the England set-up will be announced in due course. However, it is hoped he will be fit for the LV= Insurance Test against India starting next Friday at Edgbaston.”
England’s Ben Foakes replaced by Sam Billings after positive Covid-19 test
LUNCH! New Zealand 254-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 45*) Lead by 223
13:06 , Luke Baker
Completely and utterly New Zealand’s session that one. 86 runs, no wickets and a frustrating morning at Headingley for England.
The lead is now up to 223 runs and the Black Caps are in a strong position. You don’t really want to be chasing much more than 250 in a fourth innings and certainly not up at 300. The first half an hour after lunch will be key. Can the new ball inspire a breakthrough?
New Zealand 254-5 (Mitchell 44*, Blundell 45*) Lead by 223
13:03 , Luke Baker
Matty Potts will get one over with the new cherry before lunch.
A squirted single to leg from Mitchell before the next delivery stays a little low to Blundell but he reacts well.
Blundell whips one through the on-side, a shade short and straight on the attempted yorker from Potts, and that’s FOUR! A comfortable leave to finish and that’s LUNCH!
New Zealand 249-5 (Mitchell 43*, Blundell 41*) Lead by 218
12:54 , Luke Baker
England do indeed take the new ball and it will be Stuart Broad to bowl the first over. Can they get a breakthrough just before lunch?
Three slips in place, the crowd – who have understandably been slightly soporific this morning – liven up and cheer him in. Good line and length with the first ball, left by Blundell and carries through to Billings. Same with the second delivery. Promising amount of bounce though.
Play and miss at the third ball! Great delivery by Broad and a good miss by Blundell in truth. The fourth delivery rattles into the pads and earns a big appeal from England but the umpire is unmoved. It looked to strike him outside the line.
This has been the most dramatic over for a while. Penultimate delivery well defended by Blundell as he gets forward and the last ball is also kept out.
Time for one more over before lunch.
New Zealand 249-5 (Mitchell 43*, Blundell 41*) Lead by 218
12:53 , Luke Baker
Final over before the new ball and England might get two overs in with the fresh cherry before lunch. One for Broad and the other for Leach? Or pace from both ends?
Anyway, Leach has six balls left with this old cherry, Mitchell gets forward to them all but it’s a maiden for the spinner.
New Zealand 249-5 (Mitchell 43*, Blundell 41*) Lead by 218
12:51 , Luke Baker
Root’s final over you’d think – presuming England take the new ball at the first opportunity.
Sharp spin in towards the right-handed Blundell and it stays low but he gets his bat down well. Root stops mid-over to remove some debris that has flown on to the outfield. It doesn’t disrupt his rhythm though, although Blundell swishes the final delivery through midwicket, Overton chases across and dives to prevent the boundary. Good fielding – just two.
New Zealand 247-5 (Mitchell 43*, Blundell 39*) Lead by 216
12:47 , Luke Baker
Leach ties up Mitchell and that’s a maiden. England still can’t break this partnership though.
Just two overs until the new ball now.
New Zealand 247-5 (Mitchell 43*, Blundell 39*) Lead by 216
12:46 , Luke Baker
Better from Root as the first ball spits past Mitchell’s outside edge into Billings’ gloves.
CLOSE! Mitchell’s flick into the leg-side goes aerial and flies over the head of Pope at short leg for a single. He had no chance of a catch really.
Gasps of excitement from the next ball also as it loops into the air off Blundell’s bat but falls short of Stuart Broad at mid-on by about a yard. Better from England.
New Zealand 246-5 (Mitchell 42*, Blundell 39*) Lead by 215
12:42 , Luke Baker
Leach keeping things tighter than his former skipper as the first four balls fail to leave the infield. Penultimate delivery flicked off the pads for a single through midwicket by Mitchell.
New Zealand 245-5 (Mitchell 41*, Blundell 39*) Lead by 214
12:39 , Luke Baker
Root on for a second over and Mitchell goes aerial from a ball that’s too short – there’s no deep midwicket and that’s away for FOUR!
Next ball is too short again and, off the back foot, Mitchell punches it through the covers for another FOUR! A single from the penultimate ball means it’s nine off the over.
England treading water until this new ball (now five overs away) and New Zealand building on their lead.
New Zealand 236-5 (Mitchell 32*, Blundell 39*) Lead by 205
12:37 , Luke Baker
Good work in the infield from Stokes to prevent a single but Blundell gets off strike from the following ball with a clip to leg.
The final ball of the over is then pushed into the off-side for another single. No dramas for the Black Caps off Leach in that over.
New Zealand 234-5 (Mitchell 31*, Blundell 38*) Lead by 203
12:34 , Luke Baker
Joe Root on to bowl in place of Overton.
Lovely reverse sweep for FOUR from Mitchell off the first ball, he tries the same again from the next delivery, gets in wrong but it cannons off the gloves, then the toe of the bat and goes between keeper and first slip for FOUR more!
Next delivery clipped off the toes for two before Mitchell decides that’s enough fun for the over and defends the final three deliveries. Still 10 off it though.
New Zealand 224-5 (Mitchell 21*, Blundell 38*) Lead by 193
12:30 , Luke Baker
Nine overs until the new ball and you’d think England will have to take it. Leach is looking reasonably dangerous but Overton and the seamers getting no joy at all.
“Oh that’s so close,” groans Sam Billings from behind the stumps as Mitchell attempts to sweep off his front pad and it deflects off his glove down the leg side. Close to hitting the pad and if it did, that was probably plumb lbw.
Singles off each of the first three balls and that’s it for the over
New Zealand 221-5 (Mitchell 19*, Blundell 37*) Lead by 190
12:27 , Luke Baker
Short-pitched bowling is clearly Overton’s plan but Blundell rides the bounce for an opening-ball single. A bit fuller to Mitchell, the ball hits the pads and rebounds to Overton who makes the catch. A sort of strangled appeal – lbw, caught & bowled, whatever’s doing really! Nothing in it though.
Too short with that bouncer and it’s called a wide and then another single keeps New Zealand ticking. Then the final delivery is down leg, Blundell just about gets some bat on it and it races away for FOUR to the fine-leg boundary. Seven from the over.
VIDEO: Leach lbw gets overturned
12:23 , Luke Baker
England thought they’d made the much-needed breakthrough when Leach trapped Mitchell lbw but the decision was overturned on review
New Zealand 214-5 (Mitchell 18*, Blundell 32*) Lead by 183
12:22 , Luke Baker
Leach definitely looking the more likely to get a breakthrough here. Blundell goes back to a ball that skids on but gets his bat down just in time, as England’s close fielders yelp in excitement.
Largely defensive shots from Blundell but he nicely backs up and punches the final delivery into the off-side for a single.
New Zealand 213-5 (Mitchell 18*, Blundell 31*) Lead by 182
12:19 , Luke Baker
Overton steaming in and the first two balls both pushed away for singles before Blundell pulls a short ball hard for FOUR! It splits two fielders and a sprawling Jonny Bairstow can’t stop it on the rope. Bairstow then leaves the field looking at his hand – hopefully nothing too serious from that dive and it’s just a grass burn he needs seeing to.
That’s also the FIFTY PARTNERSHIP UP for Mitchell and Blundell. Another single from the short ball before Mitchell ducks under a bouncer to end the over. A productive one for the Black Caps.
NOT OUT! New Zealand 206-5 (Mitchell 17*, Blundell 25*) Lead by 175
12:15 , Luke Baker
Thanks Jamie. Hopefully I can inspire an England breakthrough…
Leach bowling to Mitchell and the second ball is an absolute beauty that turns hard and rips past the outside edge.
Defensive strokes from the first five balls but the final delivery turns past his forward prod, raps into the pad and up goes the finger! Given OUT!
New Zealand review, no contact with the bat, ball pitches outside off and hits in line but Mitchell’s big forward stride saves him as the ball was going over the top of the stumps. DECISION OVERTURNED! So close for England
New Zealand 206-5 (Mitchell 17*, Blundell 25*) Lead by 175
12:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Bairstow scoops one up at the boundary to prevent the four, as Mitchell then adds a successive single off Overton. Blundell ducks under a bouncer, but another one from Overton is given as a wide.
And with that I pass you on to Luke Baker.
New Zealand 203-5 (Mitchell 16*, Blundell 24*) Lead by 172
12:01 , Jamie Braidwood
Ooof. Leach with a lovely spinner than deceives Mitchell, but also leaves Billings grasping at thin air. It runs on for four as New Zealand trickle past the 200-mark.
New Zealand 198-5 (Mitchell 15*, Blundell 24*) Lead by 167
11:57 , Jamie Braidwood
New Zealand are warming up nicely now, with Mitchell and then Blundell trading boundaries. Stuart Broad called this partnership England’s “thorn in the side” and Mitchell and Blundell are threatening to become a proper nuisance once again as we head into the second hour of the day.
New Zealand 189-5 (Mitchell 11*, Blundell 19*) Lead by 158
11:52 , Jamie Braidwood
Blundell, loosening up now, plays a corker straight off the middle of the bat to drive Overton for four. The crowd then gets excited as Overton storms in with some quicker deliveries but Blundell blocks them away.
New Zealand 185-5 (Mitchell 11*, Blundell 15*) Lead by 154
11:47 , Jamie Braidwood
Blundell pings a short one off Leach’s first ball and strong running from Mitchell gets him home safely for the single. Leach targets the pads for the remainder of the over but Blundell and Mitchell stay patient and bat them away. Jamie Overton will be up next for England.
New Zealand 184-5 (Mitchell 11*, Blundell 14*) Lead by 153
11:44 , Jamie Braidwood
Broad with a bouncer that Blundell ducks out the way off, before he bats one for a single. Jack Leach gets his hands on the ball for the first time today. Can he dislodge this New Zealand partnership before it gathers pace?
New Zealand 183-5 (Mitchell 11*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 152
11:38 , Jamie Braidwood
Potts continues with ball in hand and some alert fielding from England means Blundell is unable to add to his tally. New Zealand have stretched their lead slightly but it’s been a sleepy start on this Sunday morning.
New Zealand 183-5 (Mitchell 11*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 152
11:33 , Jamie Braidwood
Close! Mitchell is almost caught after coming back for his second. Billings strikes the stumps but the batter just made it back in time. He adds a single on the next strike.
New Zealand 180-5 (Mitchell 8*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 149
11:28 , Jamie Braidwood
Potts with another fine delivery that sneaks through to Billings and inches away from Mitchell’s edge. As Broad takes over the ball, Mitchell gets off the mark with a clipped hit for four.
New Zealand 176-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 145
11:21 , Jamie Braidwood
Now, here comes the new ball. Ben Stokes pumps his fist and lets out a huge grin as it’s chucked to Broad midway through the 56th over. The first couple of deliveries go without score as New Zealand remain on 176-5.
New Zealand 176-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 145
11:17 , Jamie Braidwood
Well bowled from Potts, with successive deliveries teasing the edge of Blundell and generating a buzz of morning excitement among the Headingly crowd. That’s two straight maiden overs from the England bowlers.
New Zealand 176-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 145
11:13 , Jamie Braidwood
Broad to Mitchell now, attacking the stumps, but for no score. Solid start from the New Zealand pair.
New Zealand 176-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 13*) Lead by 145
11:09 , Jamie Braidwood
Potts to Blundell, and the New Zealander with a nice leave to start this over. Blundell then bats away a fuller delivery from Potts for four as it bobbles to the boundary.
New Zealand 172-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 9*) Lead by 141
11:06 , Jamie Braidwood
Broad takes over as Potts finishes off the interrupted over from last night. Mitchell blocks away the first before Bairstow, now back in the field, leaps to stop a drive. Broad then with a beauty that Mitchell just pulls away from. The final two balls go without score and Broad receives a round of applause from the Headingly crowd.
New Zealand 172-5 (Mitchell 4*, Blundell 9*) Lead by 141
11:00 , Jamie Braidwood
Right, let’s go! Day four is underway as Potts delivers the first ball – and Blundell tucks it away for four!
Stuart Broad: ‘We’re in for some entertainment’
10:53 , Jamie Braidwood
“Our job is to take five wickets as quick as we can but whatever score New Zealand get we are going for,” Stuart Broad tells Sky Sports ahead of play. “I think we’re in for some entertainment.
“We know this partnership [of Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell] has been a thorn in our side all series. But the law of averages says it has to fail at some stage. We have to see what this morning brings. We know the ball is a little bit older.”
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
10:43 , Jamie Braidwood
Azeem Rafiq attended day three of the Headingley Test between England and New Zealand as Yorkshire’s guest, returning to the ground for the first time since he went public with claims of institutional racism at the club.
Rafiq enjoyed Saturday’s action from a balcony at the Pavilion End, having accepted a White Rose invitation to take in a game that was almost relocated at the height of the racism scandal set in motion by his whistleblowing.
Azeem Rafiq attends third day of Headingley Test as guest of Yorkshire
England’s Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster Test debut
10:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Jamie Overton has already ridden the highs and the lows of Test cricket in the first three days of his England career and admitted he was enjoying leaving fans “on the edge of their seats”.
Despite being handed a debut at Headingley due to his 90mph pace bowling, Overton almost had his name up in lights for a century in his first ever Test innings.
Instead he was dismissed for 97, a knock that helped drag the game away from New Zealand during a 241-run stand with Jonny Bairstow, who hit an outstanding 162.
Overton did not have long to agonise over the missing three runs, as he then had Tom Latham caught behind off the first ball of the evening session. It shifted the tone and New Zealand then stumbled to 168 for five.
“It’s been good fun. Obviously I was very disappointed getting out on 97, but I feel like I’ve contributed to the team,” Overton said. “It’s always a challenge when you first go into something, but I feel I’ve done okay. I’d like to take a few more wickets, but I’m more than happy to get 97. I didn’t think I’d get anywhere near that, especially coming in at 55 for six.”
England’s Jamie Overton happy to entertain on rollercoaster Test debut
Full story: Foakes replaced by Billings
10:18 , Jamie Braidwood
England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has tested positive for Covid-19, with Kent’s Sam Billings taking his place for the remainder of the Headingley Test.
Foakes did not take the field on the third afternoon against New Zealand after complaining of back pain, but later returned a positive test after a check up at the team hotel in Leeds.
Jonny Bairstow deputised with the gloves during the tourists’ second innings but Billings, who made his Test debut in the final match of the Ashes, has been drafted to take over for the rest of the match.
A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “Ben Foakes was unable to keep wicket on day three of the Third LV= Insurance Test at Headingley suffering from back stiffness. On a further medical assessment yesterday evening, he subsequently tested positive after administering an LFT Covid-19 test.
“Details of his return to the England set-up will be announced in due course. However, it is hoped he will be fit for the LV= Insurance Test against India starting next Friday at Edgbaston.”
More:
England’s Ben Foakes replaced by Sam Billings after positive Covid-19 test
Day three report: England have Headingley buzzing after late wickets
10:10 , Jamie Braidwood
England’s entertainers whipped up the Headingley crowd as four wickets on the third evening left them hunting a series whitewash of New Zealand.
The Kiwis had grafted hard to establish a firm footing in the third LV= Insurance Test, reaching tea on 125 for one in their second innings and briefly dulling the party atmosphere that has settled around Ben Stokes’ side in recent weeks.
England were 94 behind at that point and were staring at the kind of equation that could easily challenge their optimistic outlook. But their bowlers hunted as a pack to reduce the Kiwis to 168 for five at stumps, just 137 ahead, raising the roof at this famously raucous venue as they went.
At one stage three different players were summoning the crowd to find their voice – Stuart Broad standing at the top of his mark and conducting the Western Terrace, Stokes impishly inviting fans to dial up the pressure on a nervy Devon Conway and Jonny Bairstow fanning the flames from behind the stumps.
They will return on day four brimming with the confidence of a side who have already produced two superb chases at Lord’s and Trent Bridge and will be eager to chalk up another. It was the work of a team flying with enthusiasm and the boisterous response from the stands suggested their mission statement of reconnecting with a long-suffering fanbase was doing its work.
England have Headingley buzzing again as late burst rocks New Zealand
England team news: Foakes replaced by Billings
10:03 , Jamie Braidwood
Some breaking news this morning as England wicketkeeper Ben Foakes has been replaced by Sam Billings after testing positive for Covid-19.
Foakes did not play yesterday after suffering from back stiffness and tested positive yesterday evening. It rules him out for the rest of the Test match.
Billings will keep wicket after being drafted in as a Covid replacement.
Good morning
10:00 , Jamie Braidwood
England and New Zealand set up yet another grandstand finish to a Test match after a see-saw day three left New Zealand 137 runs in front with five wickets in hand overnight.
The series has been compelling throughout as momentum has swung wildly between two attacking teams, and this Headingley Test has followed the pattern of the games at Lord’s and Trent Bridge with the two sides taking it in turns to take charge. New Zealand seemed in control on Saturday as Kane Williamson neared a measured half-century, before Matthew Potts, Joe Root and Jack Leach picked up a wicket each in the evening session to put the hosts in control.
If England can chase down New Zealand’s total in the fourth innings, they will complete a 3-0 series whitewash, capping the perfect start for the new regime of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
Follow all the latest coverage of today’s match with our live blog.