It was an historic Monday for the England cricket team as they beat New Zealand by 7 wickets to claim a 3-0 series win. It was a humbling series loss for the current holders of the World Test Championship New Zealand. The series loss puts New Zealand at number 8 just above Bangladesh, while England have climbed to number 7 in the table. Australia at number 1 and South Africa at number 2 continue to lead the table, while India are at number 3. The winning percentages for the top two is 75 and 71.4, while India has a percentage of 58.5.
Joe Root gives a stump to Daryl Mitchell –
New Zealand time and again were saved by two men after their top order had a collapse. One was wicket keeper, Tom Blundell and the other was 31 year old Daryl Mitchell. The Kiwi scored 538 runs with an average of 107.5 with 3 centuries and 2 half centuries. His only failure was the 13 he scored in the 1st innings of the Lords test. As soon as Jonny Bairstow hit a six to seal the game and series for England, Joe Root did something amazing. The former England skipper was seen shaking hands with the kiwi players and ran to pull out a stump and handed it to Mitchell.
Root making sure Mitchell gets a stump 🥰#ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/T1vdflbhgp
— England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) June 27, 2022
Bairstow steam rolls the Kiwi bowlers –
Post the fall off Ollie Pope for 82 with the score reading 185, England were still 111 runs in arrears of the target of 296. Bairstow came out and put the game to bed with a 44 ball 71. This was yet another brutal knock by the 32 year old who had scored a century in the Nottingham test. Bairstow had scored 162 in the first innings of the Leeds test which is also his home ground. Bairstow reached his 50 from a mere 30 balls, his knock included 8 fours and 3 sixes.
Series to remember for Root –
The 3 match series was one to remember for Root as he scored 396 runs with an average of 99 during the series. On Monday he finished with 86 not out from 125 balls with 11 fours and a six. Root looked good for yet another 100, but the fireworks from Bairstow put paid to the hopes. The series for Root and England is the start of an exciting era under Stokes and McCullum.