England complete a series clean sweep against New Zealand

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Nakul Shivani • 1 Years ago
Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow

 

Leeds

An unbeaten 86 by Joe Root and a 44-ball 71 by Jonny Bairstow helped England romp home to a seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final Test of the three-match series.

With this win the hosts completed a series whitewash against the World Test Champions.

With this victory, England overtook New Zealand in the World Test Championships standings, with a win percentage of 28.89. New Zealand now occupies the penultimate spot on the table, just above Bangladesh, with a win percentage of 25.93.

England chasing a victory target of 296 resumed the final day on 183/2. Root was unbeaten on 55 and Ollie Pope on 81.

With rain curtailing play, the two sides took early lunch. Needing another 113 runs for a victory, there was an early setback for England as they lost the in-form Pope. The young batter was bowled on 82 by Tim Southee.

It was then left to Bairstow and Joe Root to wrap up the contest. Bairstow especially was in an aggressive mood. He brought up his half-century in only 30 deliveries - England's second-fastest fifty in Tests.

Both Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root were at the crease when England reached 296/3 in 54.3 overs for a dominant seven-wicket victory.

This was England's third successful run-chase in as many matches.

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England had earlier won the first two matches of the series by an identical five-wicket margin.