BUMBLE AT THE TEST: Ben Stokes has taken to the captaincy like a duck to water

England need 113 runs with eight wickets in hand to complete another superb final-day victory against New Zealand in the third Test at Headingley. 

Set 296 to win, England didn’t hang about as they reached 183-2 on day four.

Here, Sportsmail‘s DAVID LLOYD picks out his talking points from the fourth day’s action in Leeds.

Ollie Pope and Joe Root of England leave the field after play is concluded for the fourth day

Daryl’s late great show 

In these days of pathways and academies there should still be room for a late bloomer and New Zealand certainly have one in Daryl Mitchell. 

He’s 31 and has only played 87 first-class matches but he’s very organised, technically correct and has really grabbed his opportunity in this series. Mitchell used to be known more as a white-ball player. Not any more…

Ugly mugs serve up a beauty 

Easy like Sunday morning and I headed from my Yorkshire abode straight to the famous Ugly Mugs cafe outside the ground for a full English before play. 

There was a touch of the Mediterranean about the place on Sunday with tables set up outside but the gallon of builders’ tea was very British. My plate was full to the brim and all for £8. Can’t go wrong.

Daryl Mitchell is organised, technically correct and grabbed his opportunity in this series

Stokes backs Jack and wins big 

Ben Stokes has found Jack Leach! He now looks a big part of the team instead of an after-thought and a spare part. 

He’s played a major role in England’s attack in this Test and Stokes captaincy will give him confidence to believe he can go on to be an integral part of this team. Not many spinners have taken 10 wickets in a Test at Headingley…

Skipper is a step ahead 

What a revelation Stokes has been as captain of England. He had little to no leadership experience before this but he’s taken to the job like a duck to water. Ben has an air of authority about him and he’s brought an old-fashioned feel to it by fielding at mid-off. 

Every great captain is always ahead of the game and Stokes has been ahead of it throughout..

Jack Leach now looks a big part of the team instead of an after-thought and a spare part

Ben Stokes has taken to the job of England captain like a duck to water in this series 

Bowlers have it easy 

Whatever happened to bowlers marking out their run-ups before play? They seem to have a minion to do it for them these days in the shape of the bowling coach who turns up with a tape and a bucket of whitewash. 

It’s like being at private school and having a fag. I wonder if they warm up the toilet seat for them in the dressing room too?

Leeds roused by free spirit 

Nottinghamshire clearly set a trend by providing free admission for the last day of the second Test. It’s happening again on Monday at Headingley so well played Yorkshire! It’s a marvellous thing to do. 

Yorkshire folk do love a bargain and I reckon they will be queuing up at 6am on Monday to get in. And it could be another rollocking finale too…

Zak still out of shape 

Both Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope played and missed with booming drives against Trent Boult before they had scored. Neither, to me, held their left-side long enough and it is clearly an issue for both. 

They lost the left side of their body too early which left the bat coming down at the wrong angle. 

They have to keep their shape for as long as possible – Pope went on to do it better on Sunday but Crawley repeated the error against Michael Bracewell and it cost him his wicket.

Zak Crawley (left) and Ollie Pope played and missed with booming drives against Trent Boult