ENG vs NZ | Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow lead England to 3-0 whitewash over New Zealand

England could not have asked for a better start to their new era in Test cricket under the leadership of their new coach-captain duo of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. 

The home side, after outplaying the Kiwis at Lord's and Trent Bridge, carried out a decimation of New Zealand, winning the third and final Test by 7 wickets to complete a 3-0 white-wash of the visitors in the 3-Match Test series. 

England were chasing 113 runs to win on Day 5 of the Third Test. Resuming with an overnight score of 183 runs in the rain-affected inning and with eight wickets in hand, the task ahead for the hosts was clear – hunt down the target as quickly as possible.  

Ollie Pope, who resumed batting at the score of 81 could add only 1 run to his overnight score as Tim Southee bowled a stunner to get rid of him. Former skipper Joe Root (86* off 125) then joined hands with first-inning centurion Bairstow to help England pull off a 296-run chase with ridiculous ease. 

Coming at No. 5, Jonny Bairstow staged a stunning show, smashing 44-ball 71, blended with 8 fours and 3 sixes and remained unbeaten to white-wash the World Test Champions 3-0 in the Test series. 

The 32-year-old finished the chase in style as he smashed a huge six off Michael Bracewell to take his side past the finish line. 

Talking about the Leed's Test, Kane Williamson & Co. opted to bat first and the duo of Tom Blundell and Daryl Mitchell continued their dream run in the ongoing series, smacking 55 and 109 propelling the Kiwis to 329 all-out.

In reply, Jonny Bairstow launched an assault on opposition bowlers, hammering 157-ball 162 to take England's 1st inning total to 360. 

Jamie Overton, who made his Test debut for England made a strong impact as he played a brilliant knock of 97 off 136 deliveries to help the Three Lions get a first-innings lead of 31 runs. 

Black Caps, in the second inning, posted 326 after getting a flying start from Tom Latham, who smashed 100-ball 76, laced with 12 fours. Skipper Kane Williamson, who has been going through a lean patch, finally looked decent as he fell just two runs short of his first half-century in the ongoing series. 

Daryl Mitchell, the leading run-scorer of the series and Tom Blundell smashed 56 and 88* runs respectively as visitors gave Ben Stokes-led English side a competitive 296-run target for the fourth inning.  

England, who were languishing at the bottom of the World Test Championship 2021-23 points table ahead of this home series, made a strong comeback and moved up to the points table with 4 wins, 7 losses and 4 drawn matches. They now have 52 points in their account. 

The reigning World Test Champions, meanwhile, are languishing at the eighth spot of the WTC 2023 points table. They have won just two of their nine fixtures in the ongoing cycle of the WTC while one of their matches ended in a draw. 

Brief Score: 

New Zealand 1st Inning: 329/10 (117.3) 

Daryl Mitchell 109 (228), Tom Blundell 55(122)

Jack Leach 5-100 (38.3), Stuart Broad 3-62 (23)  

England 1st Inning: 360/10 (67)

Jonny Bairstow 162 (157), Jamie Overton 97 (136)

Trent Boult 4-104 (22), Tim Southee 3-100 (23) 

New Zealand 2nd Inning: 326/10 (105.2)

Tom Blundell 88* (160), Tom Latham 76 (100)

Jack Leach 5-66 (32.2), Matthew Potts 3-66 (25)  

England 2nd Inning: 296/3 (54.2) 

Joe Root 86* (125), Jonny Bairstow 71* (44)

Tim Southee 1-68 (19) 

England won by 7 wickets.