Crowd have a ball as England bowl 'em over

ENGLAND’S great ‘Ben-tertainers’ found a way to turn the screw at Headingley – and this time not with the bat.

- NEIL MOXLEY

The country’s cricket lovers might have delighted in the flashing blades and joyful energy that have accompanied a new regime, but one crucial question remained unanswered.

How do you excite punters when you’re bowling? How can you put ‘bums on seats’ and engage a crowd? Well, Ben Stokes & Co found a way.

Confidence with the bat has bred confidence with the ball – and the result is that England are again closing in on victory.

It all looked to be slipping away as the Black Caps moved ominously towards a challenging total.

England were struggling for inspiration. And, from somewhere – just like they have with the willow in their hand – they found some.

Three quick wickets following a rain break in the final session have tipped the balance, proving that no situation is hopeless if belief reigns supreme.