England v New Zealand 3rd test

[tiger76]

Root survives 2 reviews in 2 balls.

[AwayClaret]

2 reviews wasted

[ClaretTony]

Typical Crawley innings, he looked good, made a few, then got out again.

Does that time and again

[Roosterbooster]

2 reviews wasted

First review was unbelievable

[tiger76]

2 reviews wasted

I suspect they wouldn't have reviewed those with another batsman, but because Root is so vital they thought they'd chance their arm.

Could come back to bite them later in the innings, as happened to the Aussies famously in 2019.

[tiger76]

England trying to hit the spinner out of the attack, good ploy considering NZ only have 3 front line bowlers.

Leach has taken 10 in the match, yet NZ deemed it right to omit their main spinner, I think they dropped a clanger in that selection.

[AwayClaret]

Incredible shot by Joe

[tiger76]

Root's got the reverse sweep out again, and it brings him 6 runs, and England's 100 up.

[Rileybobs]

Incredible shot by Joe

There’ll be some test cricket purists flinching at that, and this England approach in general. Great to watch.

[tiger76]

50 for Pope, and after his 100 at TB, his place should be secure for a fair few games now.

[tiger76]

Tickets sold out for day 5. no surprise in that.

[tiger76]

150 up, and 100 partnership as well, England romping to this target again.

[tiger76]

50 for Root, another master class from him., and he and Pope have put England firmly in control. 183-2, a mere 113 needed for victory.

[Iloveyoubrady]

Crawley shouldn’t be anywhere near that team. That 267 he got a couple of years ago has cemented his place seemingly forever.

People question Popes inclusion, but he averages 50+ in county cricket, Crawley averages 30 in first class cricket. Pope shows huge potential as well with innings like today - I don’t know why people question whether he should be in the team.

Great days test cricket for England, Root and Pope looked class against the number 1 side in the world. Bowling was excellent as well to restrict their advantage to 300. Hope they can complete the job in the morning.

[jrgbfc]

Tickets sold out for day 5. no surprise in that.

I'm off work tomorrow so considered going but couldn't get on the Yorkshire website it was that busy. As its turned out I'm not that fussed, weather forecast not great for the morning and it could be over pretty quickly.

[Rileybobs]

I'm off work tomorrow so considered going but couldn't get on the Yorkshire website it was that busy. As its turned out I'm not that fussed, weather forecast not great for the morning and it could be over pretty quickly.

My mate queued online for about 4 hours and when he got to the front of the queue was told it was sold out.

[AwayClaret]

My mate queued online for about 4 hours and when he got to the front of the queue was told it was sold out.

I'd be going bat **** crazy

[ClaretTony]

I thought 296 might be a big ask in the fourth innings but, without wanting to tempt fate, we are making it look easy.

[Rileybobs]

I'd be going bat **** crazy

We went on the Thursday so he wasn’t too bothered. He was looking for a single ticket this time though so surprised there’s nothing left, but no doubt the touts have got hold of some.

[Rileybobs]

I thought 296 might be a big ask in the fourth innings but, without wanting to tempt fate, we are making it look easy.

It’s like watching a new team. I almost expect them to chase that down now.

[RVclaret]

Great to see Pope in good nick. Certainly got the talent!

[AwayClaret]

Great to see Pope in good nick. Certainly got the talent!

I see what you did there

[winsomeyen]

Tickets sold out for day 5. no surprise in that.

Tickets for day 5 are free.

[ClaretMat]

Pope has been tremendous this afternoon, he's looked so controlled and well balanced. Let's hope Roots influence starts to rub off on him with them spending a good amount of time in the middle together consistently, because he has bucket loads of talent.

[Milltown1882]

Crawley shouldn’t be anywhere near that team. That 267 he got a couple of years ago has cemented his place seemingly forever.

People question Popes inclusion, but he averages 50+ in county cricket, Crawley averages 30 in first class cricket. Pope shows huge potential as well with innings like today - I don’t know why people question whether he should be in the team.

Great days test cricket for England, Root and Pope looked class against the number 1 side in the world. Bowling was excellent as well to restrict their advantage to 300. Hope they can complete the job in the morning.

Crawley isn’t even the best opener in his county team. Get Compton in.

[Milltown1882]

Pope has been tremendous this afternoon, he's looked so controlled and well balanced. Let's hope Roots influence starts to rub off on him with them spending a good amount of time in the middle together consistently, because he has bucket loads of talent.

Imagine learning from Root out in the middle. Must be incredible.

[JarrowClaret]

Crawley shouldn’t be anywhere near that team. That 267 he got a couple of years ago has cemented his place seemingly forever.

People question Popes inclusion, but he averages 50+ in county cricket, Crawley averages 30 in first class cricket. Pope shows huge potential as well with innings like today - I don’t know why people question whether he should be in the team.

Great days test cricket for England, Root and Pope looked class against the number 1 side in the world. Bowling was excellent as well to restrict their advantage to 300. Hope they can complete the job in the morning.

Clearly talented, young enough to come again and actually you would expect him to be perfect for this team, but I suspect he needs and will get an extended break from test cricket. Kumar Sangakara came up with an interesting suggestion if Jos Butler to open in tests.

[Milltown1882]

Clearly talented, young enough to come again and actually you would expect him to be perfect for this team, but I suspect he needs and will get an extended break from test cricket. Kumar Sangakara came up with an interesting suggestion if Jos Butler to open in tests.

With the Aussies coming next summer I’d want to have structured openers then let the engine room have fun. Buttler opening could be a disaster against the early ball.

[JarrowClaret]

With the Aussies coming next summer I’d want to have structured openers then let the engine room have fun. Buttler opening could be a disaster against the early ball.

Jason Roy anyone?? Yeh I agree but he is so unfulfilled when it comes to his ability and Test Cricket and he wouldn’t be worse than Crawley at the minute anyway. I just found it an interesting suggestion wasn’t saying whether I agreed or not

Edit just read this back and I wasn’t suggesting Jason Roy by the way.

[Iloveyoubrady]

We should be picking the best opener in the county championship, which is clearly producing some better talent this year. Lees has shown a lot more than Crawley IMO and he earns a place with county runs. Crawley hasn’t really ever shown why he is in the team…
As has been said he has talent and could be a good player, but he’s not the best opener in his county team. In fact, I don’t think he’s really even an opener - possibly a long term number 4 in the mould of KP.

[JarrowClaret]

We should be picking the best opener in the county championship, which is clearly producing some better talent this year. Lees has shown a lot more than Crawley IMO and he earns a place with county runs. Crawley hasn’t really ever shown why he is in the team…
As has been said he has talent and could be a good player, but he’s not the best opener in his county team. In fact, I don’t think he’s really even an opener - possibly a long term number 4 in the mould of KP.

Did he not score his 267 at 3, I think he prefers 3 anyway clearly not displacing pope anytime soon.

[Bordeaux]

Is it raining in leeds delayed start maybe?

[tiger76]

Is it raining in leeds delayed start maybe?

Annoying light showers according to the forecast, though hopefully they'll blow through quickly.

I'll be surprised if it starts on time though.

[TheFamilyCat]

Is it raining in leeds delayed start maybe?

Honking down in South Leeds at the moment.

[Quickenthetempo]

The trouble with bringing Roy and Buttler into the team was they tried to adapt into a more Test environment. Playing far too cautious. Although that Aussie attack Roy faced just didn't bowl bad balls, perfect line and length at 88mph.
This new approach could get more out of Roy, Buttler and Mo Ali etc.. but the public will still jump on batters when they fail.

[Hopey]

Delayed start confirmed.

[Burnley1989]

Morgan retiring from international cricket, had a great career but I think it’s time.

[tiger76]

The trouble with bringing Roy and Buttler into the team was they tried to adapt into a more Test environment. Playing far too cautious. Although that Aussie attack Roy faced just didn't bowl bad balls, perfect line and length at 88mph.
This new approach could get more out of Roy, Buttler and Mo Ali etc.. but the public will still jump on batters when they fail.

Well whatever approach England have adopted, we've often found ourselves 3/4 down for under 100, so we might as well play in a positive manner and try and get a few runs on the board, and the likes of Burns/Sibley simply didn't keep the board ticking over, which created extra pressure.

Buttler at the top of the order intrigues me, and I think he's good enough to make runs batting there.

It will be interesting whether England continue with this bold attitude next summer, when they'll be facing a strong Aussie attack, that will be a true test of the new regime.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Not overly surprised by Morgan’s decision.

ODI World Cup is some way off, thought he might have hung around for the latest T20 one but he’s been struggling for form for a while now.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Southee bowls Pope first over of the day

Boult bowls 2nd over of the day and it goes for 17

94 needed

[Quickenthetempo]

The great thing about this fast scoring rate is NZ won't get the chance to bowl with a 2nd new ball.

[RVclaret]

Bairstow getting on with it.

Now 40 off 25 balls.

This will be wrapped up by lunch!

[Firthy]

Barstow is so selfish. Hit too many quick runs that Root can't get his ton

[ClaretTony]

Had to go out this afternoon but didn’t think I’d miss much. I got home and we only wanted 16.

[RVclaret]

All over. Another stunning performance.

[CleggHall]

Spent Saturday/Sunday at Headingley, a very satisfying and enjoyable experience.

[tiger76]

Just checking in too see how many we still needed, and find we've already knocked them off with ease, pity Pope couldn't get his ton, but his dismissal just allowed Bairstow to come in and dispatch the ball to all parts of Headingley again, what a stunning run of form he's having right now, Root made 86 and yet he's hardly been mentioned.

296 chased down in less than 55 overs, that's bonkers in a test match, with no fielding restrictions in place.

[Hopey]

England have officially added Sam Billings to the squad to face India on Friday.