England cricketer Jamie Overton believes the last session on Day 3 had put his side in the 'box seat' to make a clean sweep of the three-Test series against New Zealand here.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Not only did Overton score a polished 97 off 135 balls to give the hosts a slender 31-run first-innings lead, he then bowled nine overs and took a crucial wicket to put the Black Caps in trouble at 168\/5 at stumps on Day 3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The tourists only have a narrow 137-run lead with just five wickets in hand, making the Ben Stokes-led England firm favourites to make a clean sweep of the three-Test series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"That last session put us right in the box seat. We're in a great position going into the fourth day. If we can get those two early (Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell), we're in a great place to win the game," Overton was quoted as saying by Daily Mail.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Overton, who rattled the Black Caps by removing opener Tom Latham for 76 after tea, said it was a "great feeling" to take the wicket of the well-set batter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At 125\/1, the tourists were looking good for a big second-innings total when Overton took the crucial wicket of Latham that triggered a slide. New Zealand lost four wickets for 36 runs to be in dire straits at the end of Day 3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I like to put my hand up in those sorts of situations, when things are tough. It was a great feeling to take that first wicket, and trying to get on the train with everyone else," added Overton.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Overton, who came within sniffing distance of becoming the first England cricketer to score a Test hundred on debut from No. 8 or below before he missed it by three runs, added that there were two ways of looking at the innings -- either be disappointed or be delighted that the innings helped the team to a strong position.<\/p>\r\n\r\n