WATCH: 'Replacement' Sam Billings' 'Crazy' Catch Behind The Stumps Against The Kiwis

Sam Billings was brought in as a replacement mid-test due to English regular wicket-keeper Ben Foakes testing Covid positive.

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ENG vs NZ 3rd test: After England suffered a blow in the form of Ben Foakes testing positive midway through the third test, Sam Billings was called in as a replacement to keep the wickets. The wicketkeeper displayed a crazy catch to dismiss Neil Wagner for a duck and garnered major traction. 

After England took a 31-run lead in the first innings, the Kiwi batters had the onus on them to put on a good batting show and save face in the final test of the 3-match series, where they are already down 0-2. 

At 305/8, Neil Wagner came in to bat at #10 while Tom Blundell was standing at the other end unbeaten on 72*. The tail-ender had to keep Blundell on strike as much as possible while saving his wicket. Wagner came out to bat after Southee was bowled by Jack Leach in the 102nd over. 

After facing four dot balls against Leach, Wagner had to play out just one more delivery to bring Blundell back on strike. However, Leach bowled a delivery tossed up just outside off as it straightened a bit on the left-hander. Wagner was playing for the turn and ended up pushing inside the line, got a thick edge which bounced off Sam Billings' body and the keeper was lucky enough as the ball lodged itself between his knees. 

With this New Zealand lost their 9th wicket as Wagner departed for a 5-ball duck. This was Jack Leach's 4th wicket and picked up his 5th wicket in the form of Trent Boult, who was the last man to be dismissed for New Zealand in the second innings. 

One crazy catch!

Scorecard/clips: https://t.co/AIVHwaRwQv

#ENGvNZ @SamBillings pic.twitter.com/91U64cr51b

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 26, 2022

While talking about the match, England are at 74/2 in the fourth innings in the 3rd session of day 4, requiring another 222 runs to win the match. The way England have been playing this series, a clean sweep is looking very probable for the English side. Ollie Pope (30*) and Joe Root (4*) are at the crease for the hosts. This match is being played at Headingley, Leeds.