England are 113 runs away from completing a series whitewash against New Zealand after the hosts put themselves in a commanding position with eight wickets in hand in the final innings of the third Test on Sunday.
Chasing 296 for victory, Ollie Pope and Joe Root were at the crease at stumps after the pair made light work of a competitive target as England finished Day IV on 183/2.
The pair set up what promises to be an intriguing final day, with Headingley hopeful of having a packed house as they look to replicate the Trent Bridge Test’s atmosphere by offering free tickets.
England lost Alex Lees to a run-out after a mix-up in the fifth over while his opening partner Zak Crawley (25) was caught in the covers off Michael Bracewell, with skipper Kane Williamson involved in both dismissals.
But Pope (81 batting) and Root (55 batting) steadied the ship with an unbeaten 132-run partnership as they saw off the fast bowlers.
Earlier, New Zealand were dismissed for 326 after the in-form Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell had again frustrated the hosts.
The hosts were dealt a blow before play started when wicketkeeper Ben Foakes was ruled out of the remainder of the game after testing positive for Covid-19, with Sam Billings brought in as a substitute.
Bangla slip as Roach picks three
The West Indies took a 174-run lead over Bangladesh and then shook the visitors with three early wickets in the second innings, on the third day of the second Test in Gros Islet.
All-rounder Kyle Mayers, who was overnight not out on 126, was dismissed for 146 on Sunday as the Caribbean team’s first innings ended on 408.Bangladesh, who had managed 234 in their first essay, stumbled again in their second innings.
When rain stopped play after 8.5 overs in their innings, Bangladesh were 32/3, still trailing the home team by 142 runs.Windies pacer Kemar Roach claimed all three Bangladeshi wickets to fall. Earlier, Bangladesh medium pacer Khaled Ahmed took five wickets, while Mehidy Hasan Miraz took three.
Brief scores: Bangladesh 234 & 32/3. West Indies 408 (Kyle Mayers 146; Khaled Ahmed 5/106). Post lunch, Day III. (Our Bureau)
