Joe Root was left carrying England’s resistance at the Kia Oval after New Zealand moved within five wickets of levelling the Test series on Saturday.
England closed day four of the second Test on 182-5, still 281 runs short of an imposing 463 target, with Root unbeaten on 75 from 137 balls. The stand-in captain also became only the second player to pass 14,000 Test runs, but the landmark came in a position of deep trouble for Brendon McCullum’s side.
New Zealand had earlier made 362 in their second innings after adding quick runs, leaving England with a chase that immediately became a survival mission. Kyle Jamieson struck early, removing Emilio Gay and Jacob Bethell in the same over, before Will O’Rourke dismissed Ben Duckett and Matt Henry ended Harry Brook’s 58-run counterattack.
Root milestone cannot hide England’s danger
The match state underlines how much England have missed Ben Stokes, with their reshaped side exposed by a disciplined New Zealand attack. Root and Brook briefly shifted the pressure with a 97-run stand, but Brook’s edge to Daryl Mitchell restored the visitors’ control.
James Rew’s late lbw dismissal left England five down with a long tail to follow, and the Guardian reported from the Kia Oval that New Zealand are now tracking strongly towards a 1-1 series scoreline.
England return on Sunday needing either a record-breaking chase or a full day of resistance. Root is still there, but New Zealand are one disciplined session away from forcing the decider at Trent Bridge.
