New Zealand's spearhead bowler Trent Boult has ripped apart England's top order with a stupendous effort on Day 2 of the final Test match at Headingley, Leeds.
After posting a total of 329 runs on the board in the first innings, New Zealand needed a couple of quick wickets upfront. Boult stepped up for the visitors big time, running through England's top order with three quick wickets.
Boult started his procession of wickets with a peach of a delivery to dismiss Alex Lees in only his first over. The ball did not swing much, but the seam movement got the better of the left-handed batter. Perhaps, the most lethal of the three wickets was the dismissal of Ollie Pope, where the off-stump went for a toss.
The ball swung back right in as Ollie Pope was caught napping. The third wicket of Zak Crawley was similar to Pope's dismissal, with the Kiwi pacer's last-gasp wrist movement doing the trick.
Boult has been one of the star performers of this series, picking up 12 wickets in the lead-up to the final Test.
As for England, the hosts further lost the crucial wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes. After being dismissed by Tim Southee, the former could hardly offer any resistance, facing just nine deliveries.
As a result, New Zealand has a golden opportunity to wrap up England's innings and establish a healthy first-innings lead.
England has already pocketed the series after emerging victorious in the first two Tests. However, Kane Williamson and Co. will look to avoid an embarrassing clean sweep and end the tour with their heads held high