A fight broke out in the stands today during the third and final Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley.
A man wearing a replica of Paul Gascoigne’s infamous 1996 Euro No8 England football shirt could be seen punching another spectator while fans watched as they laughed.
Police then removed and escorted the noisy spectators from the west terrace of Yorkshire Cricket Ground in Leeds.
That comes when Jack Leach took his first 10-wicket-taker in Test cricket when England bowled out New Zealand on Sunday afternoon for 326, which they need 296 to complete a series of whitewashes.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell frustrated England before lunch to take New Zealand’s lead beyond 200 as Ben Stokes’ side could not take a wicket in the opening session of the day.
The two would continue to complete their respective half-centuries after the break, but Mitchell was eventually fired for 56 after being caught in front by Matthew Potts.
A fight broke out in the stands today during the third and final Test between England and New Zealand at Headingley
A man wearing a replica of Paul Gascoigne’s infamous 1996 Euro No8 England football shirt could be seen slapping another spectator while fans watched as they laughed.
Police then removed and escorted the noisy spectators from the west terrace of Yorkshire Cricket Ground in Leeds.
England batsman Joe Root sweeps a ball to the border during day four of the third Test match between England and New Zealand at Headingley
The Kiwi batsman managed to reverse an lbw decision in the morning session, but he had no luck on this occasion.
It was then Leach’s turn to make his mark on the second innings. Michael Bracewell was caught just two balls in the deep after hitting one of Leach’s deliveries on the stand.
The English spinner then got one through Tim Southee’s defense, and let Neil Wagner catch without scoring.
The Wagner dismissal was certainly not the cleanest catches by substitute wicketkeeper Sam Billings, who replaced Ben Foakes after testing positive for Covid-19 on Saturday night, but he managed to cling to the ball between his thighs before taking it out of his legs with his glove.
With New Zealand nine behind, Blundell knew he had to increase the pace if he wanted to get through to three figures, and he managed to push his team’s lead to 300.
However, it was left to Leach to have the last say when he bowled Trent Boult, with New Zealand finishing their innings at 326. Blundell was stranded at 88 not out.
England now have to chase 296 for their third consecutive win under new head coach Brendon McCullum.
If they manage to get there, it will be the fifth-highest fourth innings chase at Headingley, and would come just three years after they made the famous 362 to beat Australia in the same spot when Stokes finished unbeaten at 135.
That comes when Jack Leach took his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket when England bowled New Zealand out for 326 on Sunday afternoon, needing themselves 296 to complete a series of whitewashes.
Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell frustrated England before lunch to take New Zealand’s lead beyond 200 as Ben Stokes’ side could not take a wicket in the opening session of the day.
The two would continue to complete their respective half-centuries after the break, but Mitchell was eventually fired for 56 after being caught in front by Matthew Potts
The Kiwi batsman managed to reverse an lbw decision in the morning session, but he did not have such luck on this occasion
It was then Leach’s turn to make his mark on the second innings. Michael Bracewell was caught just two balls in the deep after hitting one of Leach’s deliveries on the stand
The English spinner then got one through Tim Southee’s defense, and caught Neil Wagner without scoring.
The Wagner dismissal was certainly not the cleanest catches by substitute wicketkeeper Sam Billings, who replaced Ben Foakes after testing positive for Covid-19 on Saturday night, but he managed to cling to the ball between his thighs before taking it out of his legs with his glove
With New Zealand nine behind, Blundell knew he had to increase the pace if he wanted to get through to three figures, and he managed to push his team’s lead to 300.
However, it was left to Leach to have the last say when he bowled Trent Boult, with New Zealand finishing their innings at 326. Blundell was stranded at 88 not out.
England now have to chase 296 for their third consecutive victory under new head coach Brendon McCullum
If they manage to get there, it will be the fifth-highest fourth innings chase at Headingley, and would come just three years after they made the famous 362 to beat Australia in the same spot when Stokes finished unbeaten at 135.