Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Wed, Jul 15, 2026
Bairstow and debutant Overton mount England’s recovery at Headingley
Jonny Bairstow’s remarkable unbeaten century and 89 not out from debutant Jamie Overton kept England in the third Test against New Zealand at Headingley.
On another thrilling day in England’s new era, the hosts collapsed to 55-6 in reply to New Zealand’s 329 on the second day.
But Bairstow and Overton combined for a rollicking unbroken stand of 209 to take England to 264-6 at the close, 65 behind.
Bairstow lit up his home ground with 130 not out, reaching his second hundred in as many innings off 95 balls.
The partnership continued England’s hair-raising approach under new captain Ben Stokes, a mindset which looked to have been given a rude awakening during the collapse.
Trent Boult bowled Alex Lees, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley in a stunning opening spell and Joe Root nicked Tim Southee behind for five.
Stokes looked to counter-attack, only to drive to mid-off for 18 and leave England in a perilous position.
Daryl Mitchell earlier recorded his third hundred in as many Tests for New Zealand, but the tourists left the field having felt the full force of England’s wave of positivity.
After scoring of 108 in the first Test and 190 in the second he is the first visiting player with centuries in first three Tests of a series in England since legendary Australia batter Sir Donald Bradman in 1930.
Mitchell had fortune on day one when England did not review an lbw decision. In the second over of day two he edged Matthew Potts, but wicketkeeper Ben Foakes spilled the chance diving across Joe Root at first slip.
Otherwise Mitchell continued to bat in composed fashion, pulling with ease when England opted for a questionable short-ball theory throughout the morning session despite cloudy skies.
He lost partner Tom Blundell in the sixth over – lbw to the impressive Potts for 55 – but not before the pair passed 600 runs together in the series. They now have the highest haul together in a Test series by two New Zealanders.
After reaching his hundred with a six off Jack Leach and putting on a rapid 60 with Tim Southee, Mitchell fell in the final over before lunch, caught at mid-off.
The final two wickets fell in similar fashion after the break as Leach finished with 5-100, his first five-wicket haul first in the first innings of a Test in England. (BBC Sport)