Brawl breaks out at Headingley in final Test between England and New Zealand

Joe Root and Ollie Pope weren’t the only ones fighting hard in the evening session at Headingley on Sunday, with a brawl also breaking out between fans in the stands

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England vs New Zealand: Dean Wilson reports on second day at Headingley

Another dynamic day of Test match cricket at Headingley was tainted when a bizarre brawl broke out in the stands.

For the majority of Sunday’s play, a sell-out crowd appeared to be enjoying themselves as England finished the evening session 183-2, just 113 short of the 296 they need to seal a 3-0 series win. The only apparent break in atmosphere had come in the afternoon when fans contrived to create a huge ‘beer snake’ using empty plastic glasses.

But things turned to sour amongst spectators late in the day, although ironically it was a man dressed in a football replica top that appeared to be the root of the problem. And not just any top, but Paul Gascoigne’s famous Euro 1996 No.8 shirt.

Whilst also sporting a bucket hat, the individual could be seen throwing punches at fellow crowd members after a melee broke out in the Western terrace of Yorkshire’s club ground. Police then intervened, removing the raucous spectators from the equation.

The incident would have not been well received by Yorkshire Chairman Lord Patel, who had to successfully persuade authorities to overturn their ban on the ground hosting England matches. The punishment followed allegations of institutionalised racism at the club from former player Adil Rafiq.

The unsavoury scenes marred an otherwise gripping day of Test cricket for England fans, who saw New Zealand resume on 168-5 – a lead of 137. The Black Caps were eventually dismissed for 326, despite Tom Blundell’s 88 not out.

After taking his first ‘five-for’ on English soil in the first innings, spinner Jack Leach repeated the feat with 5-66, meaning a match haul of 10 wickets. His victims included Neil Wagner, who was dismissed in bizarre fashion when his nick became stuck between the legs of replacement keeper Sam Billings.

England’s task appeared an uphill one when Alex Lees was run out following a brilliant piece of fielding from Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson. And when Zak Crawley wastefully drove a Michael Bracewell ball into the hands of the captain, the hosts were 51-2 and on the ropes.

But the Ollie Pope and Joe Root turned the tide with an unbeaten stand of 132. Pope made 81 not out, stroking 12 fours as he recaptured the form that brought him a sublime century at Trent Bridge.

Root was unbeaten on 55 having struck seven fours and a six. And the desperation of the tourists was evident as Tim Southee wasted two LBW reviews on the former England skipper.

If England pull off the win they will become the first team in history to chase 250 or more three times in a row. And a full house is expected on Monday after Yorkshire followed the lead of Nottinghamshire in allowing spectators in for free to watch the final day.

And club officials will be hopeful of having no crowd problems to deal with as Brendan McCullum’s team seek to sound off the series in style. Next Friday, Edgbaston will host the re-arranged India Test from last summer, which was postponed surrounding concerns over Covid-19.