England Vs New Zealand 3rd Test Day 5: England win by seven wickets to take the series 3-0

The final day of play started late due to rain, forcing teams to take on early lunch. However, the hosts completed the terrific run-chase to seal the series win. 

Day 5: 15.2 overs | 113 runs | one wicket

Post resumption of the play, 113 runs were required by England to win the series. However, the team lost Ollie Pope (82) in the first over as Tim Southee bowled him out. With this early wicket, things started looking tricky for England. But then walked in Jonny Bairstow, who stitched an unbeaten 111-run partnership with Joe Root to extinguish the hopes of revival for New Zealand. He notched up a 30-ball fifty in the test match to help England wrap up the game in just an hour of play. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow remained unbeaten at 86 and 71, respectively. Jonny Bairstow stole the limelight as he played with a strike rate of 161.36, which is highly commendable in a test match and is equivalent to an innings of a player in the limited-overs format.

This win highlights the new era that the English cricket team is witnessing. The team completed three successful 275-plus run chases, a statement in itself of their form for the World Test Championship. From tottering when they were reduced to 55/6 in 1st inning as a response to Kiwis 329- to an enthralling debut by Jamie Overton, stitching a 200-plus-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow, hosts made a terrific comeback in the final match. They had everything a team needed, back-to-back explosive tons from Bairstow, Matthew Pott's impressive debut series, Jack Leech's performance at Headingley and Stokes' captaincy. Jack Leach became Player of the Match for his ten-wicket haul, whereas Joe Root became Player of the series from the England side.

While there were many positives for the England team, New Zealand had their biggest strength in Daryll Mitchell and Tom Blundell's partnership. The duo ensured visitors entered the game with the runs flowing from their bats. Barring these two, there was hardly any support from the rest of the New Zealand batters. Among bowlers, Tim Southee today, but Trent Boult and others just failed to partner and build pressure on opponents. With many puzzles left with Kiwis to solve, Daryl Mitchell was adjudged Player of the series from the New Zealand side. 

All the attention now moves to the much-awaited big match, where England will lock horns with India for the pending 5th Test match on 1st July at Edgbaston. India is currently at a lead of 2-1. England will look to draw the series, whereas India will be eager to grab crucial points for the World Test Championship.