England began their era under the new captain-coach duo of Ben Stokes & Brendon McCullum with a thumping 3-0 whitewash of the current WTC Champions, New Zealand.
Having secured the series victory with a stunning run chase in the second Test at Trent Bridge, the English set out to maintain their streak and started off well in the final Test.
Despite resting their experienced pacer, James Anderson, the bowling attack was potent. Although Daryl Mitchell once again smashed a century, his third of the series, the Kiwis only put up 329 on the board.
In response, the hosts were down at 55/6 before Jonny Bairstow and debutante, Jamie Overton, combined to put up 241 runs, their highest-ever for the 7th wicket. They took a minor lead of 31 which was wiped off by the opening duo of Tom Latham and Will Young.
However, from 125/1, Kane Williamson and co. fell to 161/5 in no time before Mitchell once again combined with Tom Blundell to put up another 100-run partnership, their third of the series.
Eventually, Jack Leach’s second five-wicket haul ensured the visitors folded up for 326, setting a target of 296 for the hosts. Despite a poor start again, England turned to their main man, Joe Root, who built a 134-run partnership with Ollie Pope before Bairstow applied the finishing touches with a 44-ball 71.
Bairstow aggregated a total of 233 runs in the Test, firmly justifying his place in the side and also following up his century in the previous Test. With the win, Ben Stokes’ men secured the series by a 3-0 margin.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test:
Jonny Bairstow again. Wow. In fine form.
What a test match for Jack Leach!#ENGvsNZ #attackattackattack #greattowatch— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) June 27, 2022
Time will tell how Englands brand of cricket travels; but its such a pleasing a start for Rob Key, Ben Stokes and Baz McCulllum.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 27, 2022
Well played @benstokes38 @englandcricket Love ❤️ this new mentality, attacking, exciting, freedom, great to watch and playing with enjoyment #longmayitcontinue Loved the series from both teams ?
— Ryan Sidebottom ? (@RyanSidebottom) June 27, 2022
England redefining how TEST cricket is played. Attractive and enjoyable . Great to watch . #BazBall
It’s going to be a superb test match between India and England ❤️
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 27, 2022
Jonny B is batting on a different planet … !!
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 27, 2022
It’s Baz life.#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/rVVlpu2KT2
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 27, 2022
I fucking ? Baz Ball. What an unbelievable 3-0 England win. Get in lads ?????????????????????#ENGvNZ
— kεz (@_kezx) June 27, 2022
GET IN! ?
A 3⃣-0⃣ series whitewash!
Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/AIVHwazVYX
??????? #ENGvNZ ?? pic.twitter.com/uzxXaTN357
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 27, 2022
? SERIES WHITEWASH ?
From 1 in 17. We’ve just cleaned up the World Test champions.
The McStokes era off to the most unbelievable start ?
See you in Birmingham, India! #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/YYjkzVz1mQ
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 27, 2022
Fastest successful chases of 200+ in Test cricket:
England v NZ Nottingham 2022 – 5.98rpo
England v SA Oval 1994 – 5.77rpo
New Zealand v BAN 2017 – 5.47rpo
England v NZ Headingley 2022 – 5.45rpo#ENGvNZ— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) June 27, 2022
I fucking ? Baz Ball. What an unbelievable 3-0 England win. Get in lads ?????????????????????#ENGvNZ
— kεz (@_kezx) June 27, 2022
Root must be like what did I do wrong all these years ?. Eng beat NZ 3-0 under Stokes . Such is life ! #ENGvNZ
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) June 27, 2022
#ENGvNZ What a consecutive chase from @englandcricket . The series under #brendonmccullum as a head coach and #BenStokes as a captain was a different approach. #jonnybairstow is batting on a attacking level. In that case #JosButtler can play a important role in the playing 11. pic.twitter.com/XIGccRJsyV
— marcus (@nyalkalkars27) June 27, 2022
Entertaining series win for England! NZ kept giving chances, England never missed out and found a way back into the game. NZ light on batting, bowling and tactics in the series, comprehensively outplayed.#ENGvNZ
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) June 27, 2022
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