Twitter Reactions: Jack Leach’s five-wicket haul helps England set-up 258-run chase

England require 210 runs with a day left to play in the second and final Test match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. After being asked to follow-on, the Kiwis began their day on 202/3 from Day 3 and concluded their second innings with 483 runs on the board.

Kane Williamson came all guns blazing on Day 4 as he became the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in Tests after he amassed 132 runs off 282 balls during the contest. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell carved out crucial knocks before departing as the duo got 54 and 90 respectively to help the side attain a score of 483 runs.

Meanwhile, Jack Leach relished scalping a five-wicket haul and returned impressive bowling figures of 5/157 in 61.3 overs at an economy of 2.55. It eventually helped the English side to set up a 258-run chase.

England on course to seal series

In response to the total, England lost the early wicket of Zak Crawley as the opener was sent packing by the Kiwi skipper Tim Southee at an individual score of 24 runs. It is worth noting that the batter has been enduring a rough patch since the first Test against Pakistan played in December 2022.

In the last eight innings, Crawley has aggregated 121 runs at an average of 15.12 and his highest score has been 41. With Ben Duckett and Ollie Robinson at the crease, the side will aim to wrap up the contest on the final day with a favourable outcome.

England concluded the day’s play with a score of 48 runs on the board for the loss of a solitary wicket, and the side requires 210 runs on Day 5. Ben Stokes & Co. appear to be well-placed to clinch the series and will look to play their aggressive style of cricket to seal the contest in the final Test match.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the contest on Day 4:

Narendra Rawat@narendra_rawat_

England🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 finished 48-1 at the stumpson day 4 of Basin Reserve, Wellington test. #KaneWilliamson 💯 shows why he is a member of fab Four. England needs 210 runs on Day 5 to win the test & series against New Zealand🇳🇿. An interesting day of cricket awaiting us. #NZvENG #BazBall

11:22 AM · Feb 27, 2023

10

Richy🍷@Richy6721

@peterrichardbro Imho getting them to follow on was a mistake, especially given Anderson and Broads age, however, they're still going to breeze home.👍

peter brown@peterrichardbro

@Richy6721 Yes, with hindsight it was a mistake. The conditions for batting improved and New Zealand batted very well. #Williamson showed all his class a terrific century. I agree, I think #England will wrap it up tomorrow. #NZvENG

11:22 AM · Feb 27, 2023

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Hariharan Durairaj 🦁🐿️@hariharan_draj

I really hope people do not find Michael Bracewell & Harmanpreet Kaur's runout similar. However am happy both happened in a short span to make people understand the difference. Harman's was bad luck, Bracewell's was poor technique! #T20WorldCup #NZvENG

11:20 AM · Feb 27, 2023

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ThePoppingCrease@PoppingCreaseSA

England end Day 4 on 48-1, needing 210 runs on Day 5 to win the Test & series Day 5 & Bazball - this is gonna be fun #NZvENG #BazBall

11:12 AM · Feb 27, 2023

20

Hariharan Durairaj 🦁🐿️@hariharan_draj

Would still have my money on Bazball for a win ! #NZvENG

11:10 AM · Feb 27, 2023

10

Abhijeet ♞@TheYorkerBall

The way they've started, it'll be another cakewalk chase for England Only 210 required on day 5 Ball doing its but but NZ don't have spinners like Leach #NZvENG

11:08 AM · Feb 27, 2023

10

James Chan@JamesChuChan

Good for test cricket that we have a pitch that lasts 5 days as opposed to a dustbowl doctored pitch that lasts 2.5 days. All three results still possible on the final day. #NZvENG

11:06 AM · Feb 27, 2023

20

Fiona B@Feebeekiwi

Williamson still acts like a captain. I mean that in a positive sense :) #NZvENG

11:04 AM · Feb 27, 2023

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Anna Forsyth@aforsyth03

The day’s play finished before Ollie Robinson could give me a heart attack #NZvENG

11:04 AM · Feb 27, 2023

20

sudharshan sridharan@sudharshansrid1

Among active Players most 100s in Test Cricket: 30 - Steven Smith 29 - Joe Root 27 - Virat Kohli 26 - Kane Williamson* 25 - David Warner #NZvENG #NZvsENG

11:31 AM · Feb 27, 2023

11

TK @incbeing

Masterclass innings when the team needed the most… 🔥😎 #Williamson #ENGvsNZ pic.twitter.com/okOncuLvc0

TK @incbeing

@BLACKCAPS draw some inspiration from @VVSLaxman281 and #Dravid ‘s partnership…Bat out for the next two days and declare tomorrow evening half an hour before day’s play…you’re known for resilience #ENGvsNZ

07:57 AM · Feb 27, 2023

10

FC MP@sambayorker

Kane Williamson's 26th Test hundred had seemingly turned the tables after New Zealand had been made to follow on, but Harry Brook proved an unlikely inspiration with the ball for England and Jack Leach then mopped up the tail to claim a five-wicket haul.

11:06 AM · Feb 27, 2023

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