Tonight's rugby news as Thomas speech moves stadium to tears and England star tests positive
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, 24 June.
New Zealand Sport News
England top order left in tatters as New Zealand gain upper hand at Headingley
England lost six wickets in their first 12 overs at the crease as their pledge to keep delivering entertaining cricket came at a cost on day two at Headingley.
Daryl Mitchell: New Zealand's record-breaker
Daryl Mitchell on Friday broke a 73-year-old record for the most runs by a New Zealand batsman during a Test series against England while making 109 at Headingley. His third hundred of the three-match series took him to 482 runs, 20 more than Martin Donnelly made in 1949.
England vs New Zealand: Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell Add Most Number Of Partnership Runs For Kiwis During A Test Series
The duo of all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell has added the most number of partnership runs for New Zealand during a Test series, adding a total of 611 runs so far. The duo accomplished this record during the third Test against England at Headingley in Leeds. Mitchell-Blundell put on another solid show for their side. After NZ was struggling at 123/5, the duo put up a stand of 120 runs which ended with Blundell being dismissed for 55 by pacer Matty Potts.
England skipper Ben Stokes becomes third batter to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket
Stokes achieved the feat with a six off Tim Southee's delivery in his 151st Test innings. Former Kiwi skipper and current England Test format coach Brendon McCullum tops the list with 107 sixes.
Boult rips out England top order after Mitchell hits century for NZ
LEEDS, England : Trent Boult ripped through England's top order with a devastating spell of pace bowling as New Zealand got the upper hand on the second day of the final test on Friday.
Wakefield boss Willie Poching admits Trinity's interest in Salford Captain Elijah Taylor
Wakefield Trinity boss Willie Poching admits he is interested in signing Salford Red Devils captain Elijah Taylor for 2023.
Michael Vaughan's Hilarious Tweet On Virat Kohli's "Bat Balancing" Skills In Tour Game vs Leicestershire
Michael Vaughan never misses a chance to poke fun at Indian cricket and cricketers on social media and the former England captain was at it again as he posted a hilarious comment on a video of Virat Kohli trying to balance his bat during the first day of India's tour game against Leicestershire.