England step up the chase to close on series sweep against New Zealand

The concept of a nervy run chase appears lost on this England side and they now march into the final day of this third Test against New Zealand needing 113 more runs to start life under Ben Stokes with a first home series clean-sweep in 11 years.

Set 296 for victory after Jack Leach completed well-earned match figures of 10 for 166 on the fourth afternoon, England scorched their way to 183 for two from just 39 overs of batting bliss. Ollie Pope finessed his way to an unbeaten 81 and Joe Root a typically frictionless 55 not out that included another audacious reverse scoop for six.

Root had just 16 runs to his name when he repeated his antics from Trent Bridge and whipped Neil Wagner over the slips like a matador bamboozling a charging bull. He and Pope had come together with the score on 51 for two but showed the confidence coursing through this side at present with a silken and unbeaten 132-run stand.

With Jonny Bairstow still to come and fresh from back-to-back centuries, the pitch offering only the occasional gremlin and Kane Williamson burning two of his reviews following successive gambles agains Root, the tourists need the overnight break to prove rejuvenating and the return of Headingley’s penchant for a twist or two. Tickets for the fifth day are free, even if the action could well be swift.

Truly, the only source of angst for England came early on and Zak Crawley the source. Skittish at the crease and dropped by Tim Southee at slip before getting off the mark, the right-hander’s early travails can only have contributed to Alex Lees being run out for nine when his partner drove to extra cover and their communication went awry.

In fairness, this was also a majestic piece of fielding from New Zealand, Williamson