England needed 113 runs to win the third Test match against New Zealand, at Headingley. They took a mere 15.2 overs to reach there to inflict a 3-0 whitewash. After a delayed start due to rain and a wet outfield, Tim Southee (1-68) got Ollie Pope (82) with a ball that jagged back and knocked out the off stump with the fifth ball of the morning. At this point, with 111 to defend, New Zealand were still in the game.
But Jonny Bairstow (71* in 44 balls) came out all guns blazing, smashing eight fours and three sixes to take the Test match away from New Zealand in no time. Joe Root, 55 overnight, was reduced to a mere spectator: he could add a mere 31 as Bairstow tore into the hapless New Zealand attack. Jack Leach was named Player of the Match for his maiden ten-wicket haul.
England set the first instance of a side chasing two consecutive targets in excess of 250 as well as three targets over 200 in the same Test series. Root and Daryl Mitchell were named Players of the Series for their respective countries.
Brief scores
New Zealand 329 (Daryl Mitchell 109; Jack Leach 5-100) and 326 (Tom Blundell 88*; Jack Leach 5-66) lost to England 360 (Jonny Bairstow 162; Trent Boult 4-104) and 296/3 (Joe Root 86*; Tim Southee 1-68) by 7 wickets. Player of the Match: Jack Leach.
England won the series 3-0. Players of the Series: Joe Root, Daryl Mitchell.