The weather may deny the Three Lions an expected win.
There is bad news for England ahead of day five of the second Test with New Zealand as rain has delayed play at Headingley until 11.45 BST.
Periods of wet weather are expected throughout the day but it has been decided that the pitch isn’t too damp and 95.2 overs are due to be bowled if the weather holds out.
Day four finished with the Black Caps struggling on 158-6 and a distant 310 runs off their target for victory.
It’s expected that the England bowlers would be able to stop the Kiwis’ tail from wagging, but would of course need the time to get those final four wickets.
In fact it could be as few as three dismissals required for a 2-0 series win as New Zealand bowler Trent Boult is a doubt to bat after suffering a side strain during the second five-day match.
Boult has been one of the few positives for the Black Caps during the tour and there could be further woes for captain Brendon McCullum as his star seamer could be out for the ODI series and the Champions Trophy.
As for England, skipper Alastair Cook is coming under some criticism for the decisions he made about declaration and enforcing the follow-on.
After bowling the Kiwis out for 174 on Sunday, following 354 runs from the hosts, they could have made the tourists bat again but instead chose to head to middle again themselves.
Then seemingly bewildering to everyone but Cook the captain failed to declare on Monday until his side had set a colossal 468 target for victory.
The 28-year-old’s decision may come back to haunt him if rain stops any play all day, as although the Three Lions have already won the series – bar an almost impossible effort from New Zealand – another Test win would edge them that little bit closer to No.1 side in the ICC rankings, South Africa.
COMMENTS