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. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It's a lovely shot, he just flicked the wrist.

  2. 6 runs

    NZ 335-6

    Nathan Smith breaks the shackles before lunch.

    He skips down the pitch and lofts Jacob Bethell for six over long-on.

    That had a Kevin Pietersen flamingo-esque vibe to it.

  3. NZ 329-6

    You've had me firing up the stats engines, Ben.

    The highest successful fourth-innings run chase at The Oval in first-class cricket is the 501 made by Surrey against Kent in June 2023.

    Dom Sibley and Ben Foakes among the centurions. Two players seemingly discarded by England.

    Matt Fisher sends down a maiden as the clock ticks towards the lunch break.

  4. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    If England chase these runs, it would be the highest fourth-innings score in the history of Tests at The Oval.

  5. NZ 329-6

    An element of Joe Root giving his quicks a bit of a rest before taking the new ball. A maiden to start from Jacob Bethell.

  6. NZ 329-6

    Golden boy, golden arm. Jacob Bethell is given a whirl before lunch.

    Three dot balls to start.

  7. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Sonny Baker currently averages 141 in international cricket. That is the highest average for any England bowler to take at least two international wickets, barring Michael Atherton.

  8. NZ 329-6

    A crunching drive from Daryl Mitchell who shuffles forward and dispatches Josh Tongue to the fence through the covers at the start of the over.

    Tongue responds with five dots.

  9. Michael Vaughan
    Former England captain on BBC Test Match Special

    It's been a really good Test, I've been praising the groundsman, it's been an interesting pitch. At times it's been really flat but then there's been movement and a bit of spin.

  10. NZ 325-6

    Will New Zealand consider a declaration this afternoon? Or just bat until they are all out?

  11. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    Totally disagree with Graham at 12.26, we almost never bat out games. Time to dust down the old Bazball and give it a good old go! Everyone involved with English cricket needs something to cheer them up after the last week’s antics.

    Andrew, Grenoble, France

  12. NZ 323-6

    Glorious from Nathan Smith.

    Sonny Baker is a fraction too full but Smith picks it up early and drives stylishly through the covers for four.

  13. NZ 319-6

    Josh Tongue honing on the stumps to Daryl Mitchell, who is content to defend with about 20 minutes until lunch.

    Mitchell shoulder arms to the final ball of the over from Tongue which nips back and whooshes past his off stump.

  14. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    Jofra Archer's Test bowling average:

    • 85-90mph - 25.21
    • 90mph+ - 36.25

  15. NZ 319-6

    Nothing rash from Nathan Smith and Daryl Mitchell suggests they are content to keep England out there for as long as possible.

    Three singles off Sonny Baker's over.

    There's a tight turnaround between Tests, don't forget. Although who is in England's bowling attack at Nottingham is anyone's guess.

  16. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    New Zealand will be hoping to press on through the rest of the session but then the afternoon session is where the party starts for the New Zealand batters if they're still there.

  17. NZ 316-6

    Jofra Archer is putting in a shift in today against Nathan Smith and Daryl Mitchell.

    Two runs off the over.

  18. Get Involved

    Have your say using 'Get Involved' button

    We are never chasing 400+, so isn't our best bet just to take as much time out of the game as possible then bat for a draw? Then New Zealand's best result is a series draw. Although from a series perspective, 1-1 with the final Test the decider is more exciting.

    Graham, Stockport

  19. NZ 314-6

    Sonny Baker is tossed the ball by Joe Root following the England captain's 'overus mirabilis'.

    Baker bounces Nathan Smith with his first delivery and the Kiwi rocks on to the back foot and heaves it to the mid-wicket boundary for four.

  20. NZ 309-6

    Jofra Archer has 3-60 from 15 overs. He's bowled with a particular zest this morning.