Bairstow confident about England chances
England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow feels there is enough in the Hagley Oval pitch to take 10 wickets on the fifth day to secure a win against New Zealand that will level the Test series.
The Black Caps closed day four on 42 without loss in pursuit of an unlikely target of 382 but the visitors need to win the match in Christchurch to draw the two-match series 1-1.
New Zealand, who beat England by an innings and 49 runs in the first Test in Auckland, just need to bat out the final day on what looks like a flat pitch to win their first Test series against England since 1999.
ALSO READ: McMillan: Series win would be very special
Bairstow, who scored a century in the first innings of this Test, is adamant that they can create enough chances to win the game.
Bairstow said: “There’s definitely enough in the pitch for us to take the wickets.
“We’ve beaten the bat consistently. Leachy (spinner Jack Leach) bowled three overs this evening and there were some chances created there.
“We’ve got three sessions to bowl and take 10 wickets. If the light and weather comes into it, there’s nothing we can do about it.
“Going into the last day, we’re in a great position. I think we’ve got a good chance.”
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.