Whitewash on cards after Leach picks up five again
ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND
JACK Leach completed a careerbest ten-wicket match haul to set England on course for another fearless run chase and a series whitewash over New Zealand.
Somerset’s left-arm spinner followed up his first-innings haul of five for 100 with even better figures of five for 66 as New Zealand set their hosts a target of 296 on day four of the third and final Test.
Ordinarily that would look like a huge ask but, having chased down 277 at Lord’s and 299 at Trent Bridge, England went about their business with a flourish to reach 183 for two at stumps. Ollie Pope stroked a fluent 81 not out as he continued to grow into his new role at number three and Joe Root was at his unflappable best with an unbeaten 55. A sense of inevitability settled over proceedings as they piled on 132 together, leaving an apparent victory lap on day five.
Hosts Yorkshire have thrown their doors open to spectators for free, replicating Nottinghamshire’s fine initiative last week, and will hope to fill the stands for a triumphant conclusion to a gripping month-long contest.
But for Leach, the trip to Leeds has already been a roaring success. Best remembered in these parts for his cult classic one not out in the Ashes Test of 2019, he now has even better memories to cherish.
A very different story appeared to be taking shape when Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell spent a wicketless morning session piecing together their fourth century stand of the trip.
England started the day in buoyant mood after taking four wickets on the third evening, bringing Mitchell and Blundell together with a fragile lead of 137. But the pair have tapped into something special in the past few weeks, totting up partnerships worth 236, 195 and 120. It was, then, no shock to see them chalk up another 113.
It all changed at 2.25pm when Matthew Potts, the rookie seamer whose stock appears to rise with every spell, barged the door ajar.
Having seen an lbw decision against Blundell (88no) turned down off the first ball of his over, he pinned Mitchell for 56 just four balls later.
Leach happily picked up the baton, mopping up the tail in clinical fashion. Michael Bracewell holed out to deep midwicket, Tim Southee was bowled by an arm ball that skidded through him and Neil Wagner was caught behind in unusual fashion by substitute wicketkeeper Sam Billings.
The Kent gloveman, who made an emergency journey north due to a case of Covid-19 for Ben Foakes, was unable to gather the edge cleanly but did snare the ball between his legs.
Leach finished the job when he clean bowled number 11 Trent Boult on the charge, keeping England’s challenge just below the 300 mark and becoming the first English spinner to take ten wickets at home since Graeme Swann in 2013.
Despite having an abundance of time to get the runs, England’s fourth innings began in eventful fashion. Alex Lees was run out in the fifth over, falling victim to Zak Crawley’s jittery pursuit of a single and some smart tag-team work in the field from Kane Williamson and Boult.
Crawley (25) then miscued a drive off Bracewell to Williamson.
Leach said afterwards: “I want to be contributing to wins and I’m really enjoying working with Ben Stokes.”
■ Bath thumped Bedminster in the clash of the West of England League’s top two on Saturday afternoon.
With both sides boasting six wins and one abandonment from seven matches so far this summer, the North Parade clash looked set to be a tight affair, but the match proved to be anything but.
Bedminster collapsed to just 118 all out despite 51 at the top of the order from Max Tryfonos. Tim Rouse took four wickets and Brad Porteous three. Bath then took just 14 overs to make 121 for two in reply, Porteous making a round 50. They now lead the way by 11 points at the top.
Potterne leapt above Bedminster into second spot with a 119-run win over Thornbury.
Opener Jake Goodwin top-scored with 106 out of an imposing total of 389 for eight, and Thornbury could only reach 270 in reply.
Bridgwater are fourth in the table after they crushed Lansdown by 177 runs. They registered 325 for four batting first with Andrew Hallaran making 131 and Alex Eckland an unbeaten 161.
Ned Leonard took five for 11 from 8.2 overs as Lansdown were polished off for just 148.
Elsewhere, Ryan Thorpe (152 not out) and Josh Breed (121) helped Clevedon to 333 for five against Taunton St Andrews, who made 259 for eight batting second.
Chippenham, meanwhile, emerged as winners by 64 runs at home to Taunton Deane.