Summary

  • Second Test, day four, The Oval

  • England close on 182-5: Root 75*, Brook 58; Jamieson 3-37

  • Hosts need 281 more runs to win, New Zealand require five more wickets

  • Stokes makes 95 playing for Durham against Northants

  • NZ 362: Nicholls 121, Ravindra 76, Mitchell 68; Fisher 3-58, Archer 3-62

  • England hold 1-0 lead in three-match series

  • Watch highlights on BBC Two and iPlayer from 19:30 BST

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Mike Peter & Timothy Abraham

  1. NZ 269-4

    Close, but no cigar.

    Josh Tongue drops it short and does Daryl Mitchell for pace.

    The Kiwi batter takes on the pull but top edges it to mid-wicket but Jordan Cox cannot quite scoot round to claim the catch.

    England applying some pressure and creating chances.

    A maiden from Tongue.

  2. NZ 269-4

    Jofra Archer is bowling right in the corridor of uncertainty.

    He draws a nick from the edge of Tom Blundell - forced to defend to a back of length delivery on fourth or fifth stump.

    The ball drops agonisingly short of Joe Root at first slip, much to the visible anguish of Archer.

  3. Get Involved

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    In my opinion England need to restrict the scoring this morning, keep New Zealand out there as long as possible and then play for the draw. We can bat a day and a half on this pitch and a draw from here would be a great outcome.

    Gus, Oxford

  4. NZ 267-4

    Fairly tight lines from Josh Tongue, who is doing his job from one end.

    Bowling in partnerships etc etc.

  5. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    In the history of Test cricket at the Oval, only four teams have ever scored 360+ in the fourth innings. The good news is that one of them was England, last year, against India.

  6. NZ 262-4

    Tom Blundell flicks Jofra Archer into the leg side for a single off the final ball of the over.

    Daryl Mitchell is ball watching at the non-striker's end so is slow to set off which opens up the chance of a run out.

    Ben Duckett's shy flashes just past the stumps.

  7. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Thankfully they had a second slip this time. You've got yourself 121 and then get one rattled on the finger and next thing you know, Jofra Archer's steaming at you. You perhaps don't get yourself in the best position. Comfortable catch, just what they needed.

  8. wicket

    WICKET

    Nicholls c Brook b Archer 121 (NZ 261-4)

    All is forgiven.

    Harry Brook is alert and holds on at second slip this time.

    Henry Nicholls is a little tentative, after being struck on the fingers by Josh Tongue possibly, with a defensive poke to a delivery back of a length from Jofra Archer.

    The Kiwi centurion is teased into playing by the line and edges it to Brook who takes a regulation chance.

    Nicholls caught by Brook off Archer's bowling

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    Start as you mean to go on. Only one slip in place, Harry Brook drops the catch, then Joe Root puts in another slip. Feel for Jofra Archer.

    Steve, Bletchley

    Jofra ArcherGetty Images
  10. ouch!

    NZ 260-3

    Josh Tongue is on the money straight away.

    He wraps Henry Nicholls' bottom hand against the bat handle with a delivery back of a length that spits up.

    Ouch. The Kiwi physio is out to administer some treatment, and some words of sympathy.

  11. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    New Zealand have earned the right to be in the position that they are and they will have their fun for 40 overs or so and then they will really turn up the heat on England.

  12. NZ 260-3

    Not the kind of tone England would want to have set with their first over.

    That was definitely a chance for Harry Brook.

  13. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    That would have been a dream start!

  14. dropped catch

    Mitchell edges through slips

    First ball of the day and Daryl Mitchell offers a chance to Harry Brook at second slip.

    Jofra Archer squares up the Kiwi right-hander and a genuine edge goes to Brook's right.

    The England vice-captain reacts a fraction too late, gets a fingertip to it, but cannot seize the opportunity.

    Archer throws his head back in frustration. Mitchell gets four runs.

    Harry BrookGetty Images

  15. Right, without further ado. Jofra Archer has the ball in hand.

    Daryl Mitchell is on strike.

  16. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    We have a fascinating two days ahead. Can England save this game?

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    This game isn’t over, roll them out for 320 odd and there’s plenty of time to chase the target down. Wouldn’t rule out Joe Root and Harry Brook centuries and we all know how good Jacob Bethell is in the second innings…

    Raj, Buckinghamshire

  18. England have to play for draw against NZ - Vaughan & Cook

    England trail by 352 at the moment.

    Their biggest fourth-innings chase came against India at Edgbaston when they took down 378.

    A big ask to beat that, with a few inexperienced players in their side.

    Are they simply playing for a draw? Michael Vaughan and Sir Alastair Cook have both had their say.

  19. 'A very, very, good knock' - Nicholls makes unbeaten 119

    England were thwarted by Henry Nicholls yesterday.

    He will resume unbeaten on 119 as New Zealand look to increase their lead north of 400.

  20. Welcome...

    Joe RootGetty Images
    Joe RootGetty Images
    Joe RootGetty Images

    Frustrated? Tetchy?

    Test cricket can do funny things to a man. Joe Root's emotions will certainly have gone through the mill in the past three days.

    His side are starring down the barrel of defeat...unless.

    Welcome to day four of the second Test between England and New Zealand from The Oval.