Cricket News: England Vs New Zealand-Intriguing DAY 4

England is currently leading the three-match test series with two wins in the two tests sealing the series to their side. On Day three of the third test, the play was stopped at New Zealand's innings when they were at 168 for 5 in 51.5 overs.

By Day 3, the hosts seemed to dominate the Kiwis with their top-notch performance. Day four was crucial for the visitors as they had a tough time with the bat and desperately needed someone to stabilize their inning.

Fighting knocks by Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell

The day started steadily with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell at the crease as both the batters seemed to struggle against the opponent's pace attack. However, the two sailed to New Zealand firmly as the session went wicketless. The credit goes to both the batters who batted brilliantly against the perfect line and length of the English bowlers. Although they played well, they scored just 16 runs in the initial 45 minutes of the day. 

However, in the afternoon session, the English bowlers dominated the Kiwis as they quickly got rid of the lower order they scored just 16 runs in the initial 45 minutes of the day. However, in the afternoon session, the English bowlers dominated the Kiwis as they quickly got rid of the lower order

Although the English bowlers managed to gain control of the game, Mitchel

and Blundell had already done their job. Mitchell scored 56 runs facing 152 deliveries with 9 boundaries, whereas Blundell scored 88 runs off 161 deliveries with 15 boundaries!

The two batters turned out as the core of New Zealand's inning with a great partnership of 113 runs.

However, the lower order failed to add many runs to their innings, and the Kiwi's inning was wrapped up at a score of 326 in 105.2 overs. The visitors had a pretty considerable lead of 296 runs which was not going to be easy for the Englishmen to chase on the pitch of Headingley

In New Zealand's innings, Tom Blundell turned as the highest scorer, scoring 88, while Tom Latham's 76 is also worth an appreciation. While Mitchell scored his half-century, skipper Kane Williamson missed his fifty by just two runs. These four batters made a major contribution to

New Zealand's inning. Their spin wizard Jack Leech completed his fifer for England, conceding just 66 runs with 12 maidens. Also, medium-pacer M Potts bagged three wickets, leaving no chances for the opponents.

Hosts in the driving seat as Ollie Pope and Joe Root seem unbeaten

After the tea, the English openers A Lees and Z Crawley walked in to open the innings for the hosts. Although 296 wasn't a big target, it would be a massive challenge for the English batters against the deadly bowling attack of the Kiwis. The two batters started slowly as it was not easy to withstand the new ball. The two were moving steadily; however, in the fifth over, a massive blunder caused the run out of Alex Lees.

With this first wicket, England's scoreboard went on to 17 for 1. The credit for this run-out goes to the fantastic fielding display of skipper Kane Williamson whose brilliant stop confused the two batters.

After this wicket, Crawley and O Pope seemed to stabilize the inning; however, in the 13th over, Bracewell got rid of Crawley at a score of 51. Crawley managed to score 25 runs off 33 deliveries. Further, former skipper Joe Root and Pope kept their run flow moving, and the two formed a partnership of 132 runs

The ace bowling attack of the Kiwis seemed effectless in front of the two batters as no bowler managed to give a breakthrough after the second wicket till the end of the day! Both the batters completed their half-centuries, making things easy for the hosts.

The Day talk was Joe Roots reverse scooping Neil Wagner for a six at the third man boundary. 

All eyes are on the final day

At the end of Day 4, the Englishmen are at a score of 183 for a loss of 2 in 39 overs. The two batters are standing tall on the crease as Ollie Pope is not out at a score of 81 while Joe Root is at 55! All eyes will now be on the final day of the test as England is still 113 runs away from the victory and the two batters seem determined to sail their team to the finishing line.

Zealand will look to all-out the opponents to avoid their whitewash