इंग्लैंड vs न्यूजीलैंड, दूसरा टेस्ट, द ओवल, लंदन, 17 June 2026 - कमेंट्री

OUT! BOWLED! That's it. Henry gets his 6th, fittingly and NEW ZEALAND WIN BY 253 RUNS. Cox gets across and looks to lap but misses the ball totally. Henry targets the stumps and even though Archer is in the opposition, the archer in him is not missing anything on this day. The ball lands and disturbs the woodwork.

On a length, outside off, punched towards point.

Short, outside off, Jordan Cox has a heave and mistimes it over mid-wicket. Gets a couple.

SIX! LAUNCHED OFF THE RUNWAY! Yes, this is the Cox that the Oval Invincibles are so used to! Have some fun, lad, and what a grab in the crowd! A short ball, outside off, Jordan Cox swings massively and clears mid-wicket with ease. And with the same ease, a youngster stands up, waiting behind two others in front of him to take the catch and grabs it with his left hand! Nice one.

Full and outside off, Jordan drives it towards mid off.

Going into white-ball mode here now, is Cox. Shuffles across his stumps, but gets a very full ball outside off and he can only push it back.

Oh dear. Poor game sense? Kyle Jamieson throws his arms up in the air and expresses his frustration. Cox gets across and somehow, manages to sweep it through square leg. The ball is going towards the ropes and Will O'Rourke is running after it, but the whole team shouts at him to let it go. Strangely, he does not hear and stops the ball, with the batters content with the single! Devon Conway gets across and just calms O'Rourke down, who seems to be confused at his teammates' reactions. One also felt that there were shouts to kick the ball into the ropes as well, but then had O'Rourke done that, it would have been a penalty of 5 runs.

On a length, outside off, Sonny Baker defends.

Fuller, around off, Baker gets a good stride in to block.

Full and straight, Sonny gets the big front foot out again and blocks.

Good stop. On a length, outside off, SB goes back and dabs it through gully. But the fielder dives to his right and parries it to backward point.

On a length, outside off, left alone.

Full and wide outside off, let through.

On a length, outside off, cutting in, Jordan Cox gets a good stride in and works it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

Glorious, for nothing. Overpitched, outside off, Cox leans and drives it beautifully down the ground, but mid off quickly gets across to his right and stops the ball.

On a good length, outside off, Jordan blocks it to the off side.

Full and outside off, JC blocks it with good technique towards cover.

Yes, no, wait. Full, on middle, Jordan Cox pushes it down the ground. Initially, he sets off for the single, as this is the 5th ball of the over and Baker responds. But then, Cox sees mid on come up and changes his mind. Sonny is about to be baked but luckily for him, the fielder fumbles and he gets back in.

FOUR! Very cheeky and 200 IS UP FOR ENGLAND! A short ball, outside off, Cox waits for the ball, ducks and then arches back to ramp it over the slips to the deep third fence!

It does seem like Latham and Henry forgot or did not realize that this was a hattrick ball. Hardly any attacking field. On a good length, around off, coming in, Jordan Cox pushes it towards mid on.

A touch fuller, outside off, pushed towards mid off this time.

Just short of full, outside off, Cox drives it gloriously but finds cover.

Cuts back in from a good length, Jordan Cox looks to punch it on the rise through the off side, but gets an inside edge and the ball squirts through square leg for a single.

Just a little nip back in from off to middle, full in length. A confident front foot block by Baker in reply.

Full again, on off, Sonny presses ahead and smothers it down the pitch.

A short ball, around off, angling in, Jordan Cox pull-helps it towards deep backward square leg. Don't know whether it is an ironic cheer, but the Oval is cheering. Cox does not take a single, understandably. Not a bad time to go all out before the team gets all out?

Proper cheer this time. On a length, outside off, Cox punches this on the up through the covers and gets a couple.

Full and straight, Jordan works it through mid-wicket, thinks about running, but then realizes that he won't get a couple there. Sends Baker back.

An in-angler on a good length, on off. Jordan Cox stands tall to punch it away, but the ball cuts in and that ekes a thick inside edge to square leg.

Short of a good length, outside off. Jordan walks across the stumps and steers it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Oh, almost! Baker almost got toasted. But he survives. Kyle bends his back to hit the hard length, around the imaginary fourth stump line. Sonny Baker looks to defend awkwardly, but the ball straightens past the outside edge, whistling past to the keeper.

On a length, outside off, Matthew Fisher plays inside the line and is beaten.

Fuller, outside off, driven straight to mid off.

Fuller, veering outside off, Fisher fishes and misses.

Curves back in from off, on a fractionally fuller length. Fisher lets the ball angle into him and then blocks it, more off the inner half of the bat as the ball rolls to the leg side.

OUT! CHOPPED ON! The stumps are in an absolute mess and Henry is nearing a 10-wicket haul in this Test. He's got nine in the match so far. He hits the hard length and keeps it around the off stump, getting it to nip back in a touch. Matthew Fisher could have left that alone, but that's the kind of line on which Henry bowled this one where you are found in two minds, whether to leave it or play at it. Fisher goes for the second option. He hangs the bat loosely away from the body and gets an inside edge back onto the stumps. England are 192/8, completely on the mat now.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Top-drawer bowling from Henry and this rewards him with the 10th wicket of the match. Back of a length, outside the off stump. Tongue pokes at it without moving his feet an inch and gets a thick outside edge that flies into the hands of Daryl Mitchell at first slip. A golden duck, and New Zealand are one wicket away from a famous win. Henry is over the moon and lets out a huge roar, getting engulfed by his teammates. Deservedly so.

Full and straight, around off, Jordan Cox comes half forward and pushes it towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, coming in with the angle, Cox hangs back to defend.

Back of a length, outside off, Jordan pushes it towards point.

Jamieson bashes the length hard, and extracts a decent bit of bounce. Around off and Cox rises up to ride the bounce before dropping it in front of point.

 FOUR! Timed well enough. But at first sight, it looked like Cox wasn't completely in control of the shot. Back of a length, outside off. Jordan Cox does not go fully through his shot, and sort of punches it tentatively through backward point. The ball, however, races through for a boundary.

Length delivery, with the line of attack outside off. Extra bounce. Cox fends it to the gully region where Phillips makes a sharp stop.

OUT! LBW! Did Root get any bat on it though? He has sent this upstairs. If no bat, this looks stone dead. Nothing on UltraEdge. This could be it. Ball Tracking - Impact in line, hitting leg stump! No century for Root and more importantly, New Zealand have crushed England's hopes of resistance on the 13th ball of the morning. Simply relentless bowling. Henry lands this on a good length outside off and gets it to nip back in. Joe Root comes forward to defend but misses the movement and gets hit on the pads. Henry appeals and umpire Nitin Menon's finger is up in a flash. Unlike last evening, Root does not not review immediately. He takes a while, probably knowing that he is gone for all money, before taking a chance with the review. Technology did not help him. The Oval is stunned before it recovers to applaud its legend, giving some sort of a respect to the side. ENGLAND ARE 188/6, CHASING 463.

On a length, outside off, Jofra Archer pushes it towards point.

OUT! BOWLED! Not allowed. No matter how good a batter you are, you just cannot play that kind of a delivery. Archer is disappointed to no end and he has every right to be so. Henry targets the stumps, keeping it full and straight, landing just around off. Jofra Archer tries to be half forward, aiming to play it straight, but the ball pitches and goes at a height of around just 1 centimetre above the surface. A total grubber. Goes well beneath the bat and crashes into the stumps. Sometimes, there is nothing you can do. This is one of those times. Second wicket in the over and Henry has 8 in the match! ENGLAND ARE 188/7.

The spitting cobra! Rears up awkwardly on a good length while jagging back in. Fisher is taken aback but he manages to fend it down to the cordon.

Goes full and on off, does Henry. Fisher lunges forward, head on top of the ball and blocks it.

Ohh! Good probing line and length. In and around the off stump line, cutting away off the pitch. Matthew Fisher has a feel for it, gets on the front foot, but just about resists his temptation to poke it and drags the bat inside the line to leave.

There is that low bounce. Full and slightly wide outside off, coming in, Jordan Cox shoulders arms and the ball goes low past him, through to the keeper.

Nicely played, well stopped. Good cricket all around. Fractionally short, outside off, Cox gets on top of the bounce and punches it through the covers. Glenn Phillips gives it a chase from that region, gets to the ball and pushes it back in with a slide. Someone is partnering him, probably someone from gully or backward point and he does the mop up. One saved, three runs taken.

Full and around off, Joe Root drives it towards mid on.

Full and around off, Joe Root creams it straight to mid off.

Nips away with a bit of a bounce, outside off. Joe is a foot and a half outside the crease. He stands up on the toes, plays with soft hands and dabs it to backward point.

Edged, but does not carry! Back of a length, seaming away on the off stump line. Joe Root gets slightly squared up and looks to guide it to the off side but gets a thick outside edge. But since he plays with soft hands, the ball dribbles in front of Tom Latham at second slip. He makes a half stop to his right and parries the ball away, allowing the batters to cross for a single.

What a start. For someone who has watched the highlights of Day 4, the person would have felt that the highlights have prolonged. What Henry did for the whole of the innings, he starts exactly in the same way. On a length, just outside off, Joe Root looks to defend but the ball nips back in, takes the inside edge and hits the pad. Unrelenting.

On a length, outside off, Root lets it go.

A bit off the radar. Full and down the leg side, the skipper flicks it behind square leg for a single. The first run of Day 5.

Folds back in a bit from a good length, angling to the leg stump. Cox is watchfull and bunts it down the pitch.

Much fuller than the previous ball, aiming at the stumps. Jordan presses forward and defends it solidly.

The top-of-off length, Jordan Cox arches back and punches it wide of cover for a single.

Full and outside off, 130 kph, Joe Root comes forward and defends it towards the bowler.

A short ball, outside off, Root swivels and pulls it all along the ground towards deep backward square leg for a single. Suspect that would be it as far as Root is concerned for the day.

On a good length, outside off, pushed to the off side.

Yorker length, outside off, Jordan Cox drives it towards cover.

Full and straight, Cox works it to one of the two fielders at short mid-wicket.

No drama on the last ball. On a length, outside off, Jordan Cox gets a big stride in to defend. STUMPS ON DAY 4, ENGLAND ARE 182/5, CHASING 463!

Matt Henry is back on. 12-3-25-1 so far. Short, outside off, cut through point for a single.

On a length, outside off, punched towards cover.

Full and around off, Cox defends this solidly.

On middle and off, worked towards short mid-wicket.

Full and outside off, Jordan defends.

Full and straight, JC defends.

A short ball, defended from the crease.

Fuller, outside off, James Rew drives it towards mid off.

OUT! LBW! It was all Jamieson on that review and even the Kiwis look stunned. This was a short ball, outside off, from around the wicket and James Rew looked to pull. To his dismay, the ball shot low and hit him right on the box. But while playing that shot, he crouched a bit, to adjust to the lack of bounce. Now, Jamieson appealed but umpire Nitin Menon shook his head. Now, the Kiwis were not so keen but the bowler pressed on and on. Tom Latham asked a couple of other blokes but did not get any convincing answers. Eventually, with 3 seconds left on the clock, he signalled for the review. The moment we see the replays, most of the Kiwis get back to their positions, thinking that the ball is going over the stumps and the review is wasted. But hang on - Ball Tracking shows three reds, with the ball projected to hit the leg stump! The Kiwis are all over Jamieson as the decision is reversed. 10 minutes before Stumps on Day 2, James Rew gets out. 10 minutes before Stumps on Day 4, James Rew gets out! The 43-run stand is broken and ENGLAND ARE 180/5, CHASING 463. Jamieson gets his third scalp.

On a good length, outside off, Jordan Cox shoulders arms.

Full and around off, Cox defends this down the pitch.

Full and outside off, another one keeps low, Jordan keeps it out. Successful over from Jamieson.

Full, outside off, James Rew brings out the broom and reverses it to backward point for a single.

From around the wicket, full and outside off, Joe Root lunges and keeps it out.

Quicker and shorter, outside off, 90 kph, Root stays back and blocks it towards point.

Nicely timed. Shorter again, around off, 86 kph, this time the skipper wrists it through vacant real estate at mid-wicket. Kyle Jamieson lumbers up from mid on to his right while deep mid-wicket trundles up to his left. Three runs taken. The stand moves to 42.

On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

Outside off, defended from the crease.

On middle, angling in, clipped towards mid on.

On middle and off, worked towards short mid-wicket.

Full, outside off, Joe Root comes forward and drives it towards mid off.

On a good length, outside off, steep bounce, Joe Root arches back and guides it towards backward point.

Fuller, around off, 128 kph, Root leans across and works it towards mid on.

On a good length, but well outside off, easy leave for Root.

Short, outside off, extra bounce from around the wicket, Joe Root pushes it towards point for a single.

Full and outside off, James Rew gets a big stride forward to meet the ball.

FOUR! CLUBBED! Fast hands. Full, around middle and off, Rew gets down and with lightning-quick action, brings out the reverse sweep. The ball races through point for a boundary. 288 more needed for a win.

Shorter, outside off, worked towards short leg.

There is that turn and bounce. Full, outside off, landing on the rough, spinning in, James lunges to defend but the ball goes past the inside edge, hits the pads and lobs to short fine leg.

More turn. James lunges to defend but the ball goes off the inside edge and lands short of short leg.

Kyle Jamieson is back on. 10-2-35-2 so far. Straightaway, good carry. On a good length, outside off, Joe Root shoulders arms but the ball, on a Day 4 pitch, is still carrying at shoulder height to the keeper.

On a length, outside off, angling in, Root gets across and defends it towards mid off.

On a good length, outside off, the skipper steers it behind point for a single.

On middle and leg, Rew works it towards mid on.

A short ball but fired down the leg side, Rew cannot connect.

Full and down the leg side, driven towards mid on.

On a length, outside off, Joe Root dabs it towards cover for a single.

On a length, outside off, James Rew pushes it towards cover.

Full, around off, driven towards cover.

On middle and off, well kept out.

Full and straight, well defended.

On a length, outside off, defended solidly.

A length ball, down the leg side, Joe Root clips it towards fine leg for a single.

Good fielding. On a length, outside off, James Rew opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. Gully dives to his left, but cannot stop it cleanly. Backward point overruns the ball to his right and that allows the single. The stand moves to 30 (40).

Full and straight, Root gets across and works it towards mid on.

Back of a length, outside off, the skipper rises with the bounce and pushes it towards point.

A short ball, outside off, Root pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Outside off, pushed towards point.

On a good length, outside off, 135 kph, angling in, Joe Root falls over a touch and works it towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR BYES! That's missed everything, but how? On a good length, just outside off, Root tries a cute cheeky dab, but is beaten as the ball jags back in, goes past the inside edge, misses the off stump, goes past the keeper and just about evades the helmet kept on the ground behind! Races to the fence behind. Oh hang on. Replays detect a thick inside edge, confirmed by UltraEdge. So Root has been denied a boundary by the umpire there, but who would be more annoyed? Root, for not being given a boundary, or Blundell, for being penalized byes? Both players flash a smile on looking at the giant screen. ENGLAND NOW NEED UNDER 300 TO WIN - MAKE THAT 299.

Outside off, a play and a miss.

Shorter, outside off, clipped through square leg for a single.

Nice. On a good length, outside off, James Rew shoulders arms. The ball comes back in a long way and just goes over the top of the stumps!

Outside off, pushed towards point.

On a good length, outside off, Joe Root defends solidly.

Fuller, outside off, Root gets across and then lets it go.

Banged short, outside off, the skipper gets across, swivels and plays a delightful pull shot through mid-wicket. But it is insured and will be just a single.

On middle and leg, James Rew works it towards mid on.

A short ball, down the leg side, Rew takes it on, pulling it powerfully towards deep backward square leg for a run. Kept it down nicely.

Bread and batter. On a length, outside off, JR leans and dabs it behind point. Root takes the single and charges back for the second, but is sent back by his partner.

On a good length, around off, coming in, Joe Root works it through square leg for a single.

This one jags back in. James Rew plays it from the crease and the length ball goes towards the inside edge, then zips past the stumps towards fine leg. A run taken.

On a good length, down the leg side, Root works it towards backward square leg for one.

Around off, Rew pushes it towards cover.

On a good length, outside off, 133 kph, James works it towards short mid-wicket.

FOUR! That will increase his confidence. Nathan Smith comes in from around the wicket and bowls a delivery around the top of off stump, coming in with the angle, James Rew just nudges it to the left of mid on and gets his first boundary. 306 more needed for victory.

On a good length, around middle, steep bounce, James Rew rises with the bounce and fends it down.

A touch short this time, angling away from leg stump, Rew chases it and almost nicks it to the keeper.

On a good length, around leg stump, James defends it down the pitch.

Similar delivery, pushed towards mid off this time.

Wow. That moved a mile. Did it hit something? A short ball, well outside leg, JR shoulders arms. The keeper, Tom Blundell, moves to his right but at the last moment, the ball snakes back in, to his left. He adjusts superbly, diving to that side and collecting the ball. Exceptional keeping again.

A bouncer to end the over, James Rew ducks. A string of dots by New Zealand then. Just 5 runs off the bat since Brook's dismissal - that's a good 20 deliveries. A total of 13 runs have come in 5 deliveries since Brook's wicket, while the remaining 15 have all been dots. 

FOUR BYES! With the keeper up, anything down the leg side is pretty risky. And New Zealand pay for it. Henry darts this down the leg side, on a length, Joe Root looks to flick but misses. The ball pitches and then rears down the leg side, with the keeper, Tom Blundell, having absolutely no chance to his left. The ball races to the fine leg fence. 150 UP FOR ENGLAND. 313 needed more.

Around off, watchfully defended.

Full and around off, Root dead-bats it.

On a length again, outside off, Joe pushes it towards point.

Full, around off, 127 kph, the skipper leans and works it towards mid on.

Back of a length, outside off, JR pushes it towards point. Technically a maiden for Henry.

Full, on middle, Joe Root leans and works it through mid-wicket. Runs hard to come back for the second.

On a length, outside off, Root gets a big stride forward and shoulders arms.

Landed outside off, steered behind point for a single. Moves to 60.

A bouncer, around middle and off, James Rew sways away from the line of the ball.

FOUR LEG BYES! Down the leg side, Rew looks to tickle it fine but misses. However, the ball races off his hips to the fine leg fence. 317 more needed for the win.

On a good length, around leg stump, angling away, James looks to defend but is opened up. The ball goes off his thigh pad towards cover.

Full and around off, Harry Brook gets a lot forward in defense.

On a good length, outside off, 127 kph, Brook tries to dab it towards deep third but cannot get it past gully.

On a good length again, around middle and leg, Harry gets across and nudges it towards short mid-wicket.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Relentless Henry gets the attacking Brook. What a big wicket this is for New Zealand. Henry kept on persisting in that fuller length outside off and eventually, has been rewarded. Full, just outside off, Harry Brook comes forward to defend. He ends up playing just inside the line of the ball and that generates the outside edge. The keeper, Tom Blundell, is upto the stumps but is slightly late in getting upto the ball. The ball is edged onto his thigh, but he cannot even react to try and grab it. But an ever so elert Daryl Mitchell, standing at fly slip, watches the ball like a hawk, reacts accordingly to his left and as calm as a cucumber, buckets the catch! New Zealand are overjoyed as Brook's blistering innings is cut short, with the 97-run stand coming to a close. ENGLAND ARE 137/4 CHASING 463.

Off the mark first ball. Down the leg side, James Rew tickles it through square leg. Kyle Jamieson gives it a good chase to his left from deep square leg and dives to stop the ball. Keeps the batters to a couple.

Landed outside off, Rew comes forward and defends it towards point. Successful over at last for Henry, getting a wicket in the 5th over of this spell.

Bouncer, shaping in, on off. Joe Root looks to defend it to cover, but the ball catches the inside edge and it drops dead on the track.

Again off the inside edge! Pitches it fuller, does O'Rourke, on off, nipping in a shade. Joe Root lunges to drive it through cover, but gets an inside edge, before it rolls to short mid-wicket. 

Attacking the stumps now, fuller in length. Joe Root pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Some bounce off the deck! Will O'Rourke bashes it on the good length, outside off, nipping in as well. Joe Root commits on his front foot and makes a leave.

Length delivery, outside off, Joe Root lets it pass through.

Short of a length, wide outside off. Joe Root walks across the stumps to cover it and watchfully leaves it alone.

Served fuller, just outside off, Joe Root drives it to mid off.

Tap and single! On the back of a good length, outside off, Joe Root pushes it with soft hands to the left of short cover and gets a quick single.

Fired fuller, on the pads, Harry Brook clips it to deep square leg for one.

Hard-length delivery, just outside off, Joe Root defends it late to backward point.

Back of a length, on off, Joe Root punches it with a small leap, through cover for one.

Good length, on off and middle, shaping in. Harry Brook pushes it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, just outside off, Harry Brook dabs it down.

Jamieson bangs this one on the deck and offers a bouncer, around off. Harry Brook walks down the track and hops a bit to defend it away. 

Off the inside edge! The luck is simply not clicking for the Kiwis. Good-length delivery, shaping in, at the middle stump. Harry Brook camps back to push it to the off side, but gets an inside edge and it zips past the stumps, toward short fine leg. Single taken.

A touch fuller, outside off, Root looks to play it late, opening the face of his bat, but the ball catches the inside edge and he wears it on his pad.

Full, at the stumps, Joe Root works it to the right of short mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook punches it away from his body to the right of deep backward point for a couple of runs.

On a length, outside off, Joe Root pushes it to point.

A touch fuller, on off, Harry Brook fends it to the off side.

LBW DECISION OVERTURNED AGAIN! Almost a carbon copy of last time. This one is on a good length, pitching just outside off and nipping in sharply. Harry Brook rocks back to flick it away, but it gets past the inside edge and hits his pad. Henry appeals and the umpire agrees. Brook though, immediately reviews it. Matt Henry has a word with Brook and cannot believe that he hit that. The replays roll in and this looks real close to the naked eye. However, UltraEdge pops up and shows that there is a clear spike when the ball passes the bat, before hitting the pad. The decision has been overturned and Harry Brook stays alive.

Length, just outside off, Harry Brook blocks it to cover.

Full, at the stumps, Harry Brook punches it to left of mid on for one.

Pitched up, on the pads, Joe Root clips it to the left of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.

Jamieson serves this fuller, close to the off stump. Harry Brook works it toward short mid-wicket. 

On the fuller side, outside off, Harry Brook brings out his front foot and drives it through cover for a single.

Pitches it up, does Kyle, outside off. Joe Root leans onto it and defends it to the off side.

FOUR! Finds the gap again, does Root and it's a FIFTY for the English skipper. A touch fuller, in the corridor on uncertainty. Joe Root once again strides out toward the ball and opens the face of the bat just before the ball connects the bat, to find the gap between gully and slip cordon for four runs. The Oval stands on its feet to applaud the masterpiece from the leader of the home team. It is his 67th half century in Tests and 27th as a skipper.

On a length, at the stumps, Joe Root hangs back and clips it to rigth of short mid-wicket for one.

Good-length delivery, nipping away. Harry Brook tries to dab it to cover, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Angling in, on the back of a length, on off and middle. Joe Root rocks back and defends it to the left of the bowler.

Nice and full, shaping in, around off, Joe Root gets on his front foot and blocks it back to the bowler.

On a nagging length, just outside off, Joe Root gets on his back foot and tucks it with soft hands to short mid-wicket.

Pushes his length fuller, does Henry, on off, Root rests it down to cover.

Full-length delivery, outside off, not much movement on this delivery. Joe Root lunges and tries to drive it away through cover, but gets nicked on the inside edge, before hitting the pads.

On a length, on off and middle, Root nudges it to short mid-wicket.

A short ball, worked through square leg for a single.

Back of a length, outside off, Root defends solidly.

Outside off, driven straight down the ground but cannot beat mid on.

On middle and leg, Joe Root falls over a touch and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Full and outside off, Brook works it towards mid-wicket.

On a length, outside off, 133 kph, Brook opens the face of his bat and guides it towards backward point.

GIVEN OUT LBW! But has Root hit this? He takes the review instantaneously and sure enough, UltraEdge detects a spike! A huge roar goes around the ground, but after a bit of confusion from the third umpire. Henry gets this one to nip back in from a length and catches Root in his crease, hitting him on the pads. Umpire Holdstock immediately raises his finger on the appeal but almost simultaneously, Root signals for the review, indicating to Brook that he had hit it. Sure enough, the replay shows it straightaway, but the third umpire follows the protocols and checks the UltraEdge. Now, New Zealand start to celebrate as they feel that the ball has hit the pad first, then the bat. But the third umpire is convinced after a couple of looks, that it is bat first. He is ready with his decision, but at the last moment, remembers to check the no ball. Normally, that is done first, but it is done now and after all this drama, the onfield decision is overturned!

Outside off, played through point for a single.

On middle and leg, Brook fails to get it away. The ball goes off his pads through square leg and a leg bye is taken.

Outside off, on a length, defended solidly.

Outside off, pushed straight to point.

Outside off, worked towards mid-wicket.

Interesting. Even for Kyle Jamieson, Joe Root is walking down the pitch. Maybe, trying to negate the LBW dismissal. Gets a ball on a good length, covers his stumps and blocks it towards mid on.

Outside off, Root stays in his crease this time, comes forward and drives it throguh the covers for a single. 359 more needed for the win.

FOUR! Number 8 for Brook, but a bit fortuitous. Full, outside off, Harry Brook looks to drive it through the covers but the ball moves away a touch and goes slightly off the outside edge, behind point, to the deep third fence. Moves to 43 (30).

FOUR! CLUBBED! On a length, outside off, Brook dances down the track and slaps it over mid off for consecutive boundaries!

Around off, defended down the pitch.

FOUR! FIFTY FOR BROOK, IN 33 BALLS! His 17th in Test cricket. Taken this innings by storm, hasn't he? Laced with 10 fours and a six. On a length, outside off, Brook gently opens the face of his bat and guides it past slip to the deep third fence.

FOUR! Lovely batting. Breathtaking half-an-hour's action post Tea. Slightly short, outside off, Harry Brook pulls it easily over mid-wicket and finds his 7th four, to go along with a six. The 100 IS UP FOR ENGLAND and this stand moves to 61 (54). 362 more needed for victory.

Full and around off, Brook defends this solidly, coming forward.

There's that line, just outside off, honing on a length, Harry looks to defend but plays well inside the line as the ball zips past the outside edge. Excellent take by Tom Blundell standing upto the stumps.

On a length again, this time HB looks to tap and run to the off side but is wisely sent back by Root.

Outside off, Harry Brook manages to get it through point and crosses over.

Outside off, nipping back in, Joe Root whips it around the corner, behind square leg, for a single.

Kyle Jamieson is recalled into the attack now. 5-1-10-2 so far. On a length, outside off, Joe Root drives it towards cover.

Oohhh... gone, but for the inside edge! On a length, outside off, Root looks to defend, but the ball nips back in a long way, nearly goes through the gap between bat and pad, but at the last moment, manages to hit the inside edge and deflect onto the pad.

Back of a length now, outside off, coming in with the angle, Joe defends.

Fuller, outside off, 130 kph, the skipper comes forward and drives it towards cover.

Fuller and slightly wider outside off, Joe gets a big stride out and across, shouldering arms.

On a length, outside off, JR gets half a stride ahead and offers a dead bat. The ball pitches, nips back in, but just about manages to hit the bat and the pad, rolling towards point.

50-STAND IS UP, IN JUST 42 BALLS! Positive intent is always the way forward. England have come out all guns blazing post Tea, but without playing any rash shots. They have scored 36 runs in just 4.1 overs already. Full, around off, Joe Root leans and flicks it through square leg for a couple. Root moves to 41 (55).

Down the leg side, Root helps it through fine leg for a single.

On a length, outside off, Harry Brook tries to force it through the line, through the covers, but does not move his feet and is beaten comprehensively.

Full and just outside off, Brook defends watchfully.

Full and outside off, Harry looks to hammer it away, but cannot get it past mid off.

SIX! CLOBBERED! Different ball, same result! Too short and too straight, around off, Harry Brook sits deep in his crease and pulls it magnificently over square leg! Moves to 34 (24) and England need another 366 runs for victory.

FOUR! The skipper gets into the act now! Short, outside off, Joe Root arches back and at the last moment, ramps it over the vacant slip cordon to the deep third fence! Moves to 30 (49) with his 5th boundary.

FOUR MORE! There comes his favourite shot now. On a length, outside off, Root goes back, gently opens the face of his bat and dabs it wide of first slip to the deep third fence again! The stand moves to 43 (37).

On a length, outside off again, watchfully defended this time.

Back of a length, outside off, Joe thinks about dabbing it but takes his bat away at the last moment.

FOUR! UP AND OVER! That's the third boundary in this over and Root is nailing that deep third boundary. Back of a length, outside off, Joe Root is ready once again. Arches back and ramps it over the slip cordon to the fence. England need another 376 runs for the win.

Banged in short, around middle, Joe goes for the pull, but is beaten by pace. The ball goes off his gloves behind square leg and a single is taken. 13 from the over, 34 in the last 3!

On middle and leg, Joe Root works it behind square leg for a single.

Full and just outside off, Harry Brook defends it solidly.

FOUR! BRUTAL! That's three boundaries in the last 5 balls for Brook who has ticked a gear. Short, outside off, Brook sits deep in his crease and heaves the pull over mid-wicket.

On middle and off, on a length, defended watchfully.

FOUR! 4th boundary in the last 7 balls for Brook and this is getting exciting. On a length outside off, Harry Brook stays back and intentionally, opens the face of his bat and guides it through the vacant short third region. The Kiwis have now employed a fly slip in place.

Short again, outside off, HB heaves it over mid-wicket. Doesn't get enough of it, but the intent is pretty clear. Two runs taken, 21 scored in the last 2 overs!

On a length, outside off, Harry Brook looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Outside off, slightly fuller, Brook pushes it away but finds gully in his way.

FOUR! FABULOUS! Very full, on middle, Harry Brook comes forward a touch and just plays a forward defensive stroke. But the timing is so sweet that the ball races down the ground. Don't know when, but Kyle Jamieson is back on the field and tries chasing it down. But he is stiff and his dive cannot provide a result.

Short and wide outside off, now Harry slaps this with disdain, but New Zealand have done their homework. Devon Conway is lurking at deep backward point. Just a single.

On a length, outside off, Joe Root pushes this behind point and gets the white-ball skipper back on strike.

FOUR! BOSH! Brook is fighting fire with fire. O'Rourke bangs it in short, but Brook is ready. He is not going to block. Gets on the front foot, takes the bowler and the ball on and pulls it with aplomb over mid-wicket for a boundary. 399 runs more needed for the win. 

On the money, straightaway. On a length, around off, Joe Root defends.

Slightly wider outside off, coming in, Root shoulders arms.

Very wide of the crease is Henry, bowling it pretty full, around off, nearly a yorker, Joe watches it till the last moment and digs it out towards point.

On a good length this time, outside off, 131 kph, JR hangs back and defends it towards cover.

Full and straight, the skipper drives it towards mid on.

On a good length, just outside off, 131 kph, Joe Root pushes it towards point.

On a good length, outside off, Joe Root goes back and dabs it towards backward point.

Slipped down the leg side, with a leg slip in place. Root has a flick, but misses as he falls over a touch.

Yes and a no. On a good length, outside off, Joe pushes it towards point and sets off for a single, but is wisely sent back. That would have been touch and go, which would have been pretty needless in a Test match, that too, with a break around the corner.

Similar ball, coming back in, this time JR shoulders arms.

FOUR! BOOM! Asking for punishment and obliged. Short and wide outside off, Joe Root reaches out and slaps a cut through point, with the ball racing away. En route, Root has become the first batter to score 2000 runs or more against New Zealand in Tests. This is the third opposition against whom he has scored 2000 Test runs or more, having achieved the feat against two other favourite opponents - India and Australia. Additionally, 50 IS UP FOR ENGLAND, NEEDING 410 MORE.

Full, on middle and off, Root leans and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. That will be TEA ON DAY 4, ENGLAND 54/3 CHASING 463!

Full and outside off, Harry Brook defends watchfully.

Full and straight, Brook looks to defend but the ball comes back in a long way. The bat just about gets down in time with the ball going off the inner half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.

On a good length, outside off, 135 kph, coming in from pretty wide of the crease from over the wicket, Harry defends it near his feet.

Nipping back in again. On a length, outside off, 133 kph, HB looks to play it from his crease but is caught out by the late movement. The feet do not move and the ball takes the inside edge, deflecting onto the front thigh.

Better from Brook. He has been stuck in his crease for quite a while. Full, outside off, Harry Brook comes forward, shows the full face of the bat and drives it beautifully towards mid off.

FOUR! BLUDGEONED! Good response from Brook. Slightly overpitched, outside off, a touch wide, Harry Brook leans into the shot and blasts it through the covers for a boundary.

OUT! BOUNCED OUT! Ben Duckett falls a few minutes before Tea. The short ball ploy works again. Banged into the deck, outside off, Duckett shapes up for the pull, but is kind of hurried into the shot. There is extra bounce on that delivery and Ben can only get it off the toe end of his bat. The ball tamely lobs towards short mid on and Matt Henry does really well to charge in from the mid on position. He slides forward and takes it neatly. Duckett looks at his bat and then at the deck. He trudges off with Tea around the corner, with ENGLAND 40/3, NEEDING ANOTHER 423 RUNS TO WIN.

A short ball as a welcome, around off, decent bounce, Harry Brook fends it to the leg side. Not a bad time to keep a short leg, aye?

Loose from Brook. Full, wide outside off, Brook goes for a flashy drive without moving his feet and misses.

FOUR! Off the mark, is Brook. Back of a length, outside off, Harry Brook waits for the ball to arrive and steers it behind point for a boundary.

Ummm... nearly falls into the trap. Will O'Rourke bangs it short, keeping a deep backward square leg in place and Brook takes him on. Goes for the pull and nearly hits it straight down the throat of that fielder. Lands just in front. A single taken.

Outside off, on a length, extra bounce again, Root pushes it towards cover. Quick success for Will O'Rourke then, getting a wicket in his very second over in this innings.

Wow. That bounces as well. It is the second or third time in this short passage that Ben Duckett has been caught unawares by the steep bounce. Smith lands it on a hard length, outside off, Duckett looks to defend by coming forward but the ball rises suddenly, catches him by surprise and luckily for him, rolls down despite taking the outside edge. The ball goes behind point and the batters take a single.

FOUR! More than 30 percent of his 14K Test runs would have come from that region alone, shall we guess? On a length, outside off, Joe Root leans and pushes it behind point, his favourite area. The ball races to the fence and England need another 427 runs more to win.

On a length, outside off, Root leans and drives it towards point.

Outside off, pushed to the off side.

FOUR MORE! That's a cracker again. Short, outside off, Joe Root goes back in his crease, rides the bounce and cuts it fiercely in front of point for the second boundary of the over.

Full and around off, pushed into the off side.

 FOUR! Gets greeted by a classy shot! Short and wide from Will, 135 kph. Root rocks back and cuts it uppishly to the right of backward point.

On a back of a length, on top of off. Joe Root hangs back and punches it to the left of cover for a single.

On a back of a length outside. Duckett shuffles across and blocks the ball to the right of the bowler.

Keeps the line of attack on the stumps, on a good length. Ben Duckett watchfully blocks it out to the off side.

In and around middle and leg, on a fractionally fuller length. Ben Duckett gets a bit across in the crease and steers it through backward square leg for a single.

Oh, nearly, nearly curtains for Root. Will bashes the length hard, and gets it to nip and bounce back into the batter. Root hops a bit to ride the bounce but gets a thick inside edge. The ball threatens to crash into the stumps, but it just bounces over the stump to roll back. Root was alert to the situation and ready to knock it away with his bat.

Goes full and around off, cutting in. Root goes for a full-blooded cover drive but inside edges it on the pads.

Skids through on middle, a fraction fuller. Joe Root looks to block it with a high elbow, but is almost undone by the lack of bounce. Ekes out an inside edge onto the front pad.

Full on the stumps, pushed to mid on.

On a back of a length, on middle and leg. Joe Root uses his wrists to steer it through square leg for a couple of runs.

Bangs it short and outside off, getting an uncomfortable lift off the deck. Root arches back and dabs it to backward point.

Fuller in length, on middle, Joe Root pushes it off the inner half of the bat to wide mid on for a single.

Nagging length, around off, left alone by Duckett.

Bowls full, on off, from around the stump. Ben Duckett presents full face of his bat and defends it to extra cover.

Hits the deck hard, and gets it to jag back in. Ben tucks it across to the vast vacant acreage in the mid-wicket region for a couple of runs.

A length ball, on top of off. Ben hops on the toes and eases it to cover.

 Close leave! In the corridor of uncertainty, full in length, nipping away from just outside off. Ben Duckett commits on the front foot and opts to leave it.

Folds back in from off, on a good length. Ben Duckett punches it off the back foot to mid on.

Honing in on the stumps, full in length. Root drags the bat in front of the pads and knocks it to mid on.

Hard length, on top of off. Joe Root rises on the toes and bunts it to short cover.

A touch fuller, nipping in and around off. Root takes a big stride forward and dabs it late to the off side.

Around off, on a length. Root lets the ball come at him and solidly blocks it to cover.

Attacks the middle pole on a fuller length. Root gets slightly across and drives it down to mid on.

Wonderful fielding by Conway! Hits the hard length, outside off. Joe Root square cuts it off the back foot, but Conway dives alertly and makes a sharp stop at backward point.

Too full, on off, Root presses forward and dabs it out.

Back of a length, and it spits up on top of off. Root takes a couple of strides down the pitch and is completely taken aback by the lift. Takes his bottom hand off and it goes on the bounce to the slip cordon.

Shocking review! Perhaps because the batter is Root. Huge nip-backer bowled from wide of the crease. Full around off. Joe plants the front foot forward but decides not to offer any shot and lets the ball hits the front pad. A big appeal for LBW, but nothing doing. After a bit of a discussion, New Zealand have opted for a review, just with a couple of seconds left on the timer. Ball Tracking comes up and shows that the ball is projected to miss the off stump by a mile. New Zealand have burnt a review.

On the fuller side, outside off. Root blocks it to backward point.

Good length and around off. Root rides the bounce and punches it away to the fielder at backward point.

Pitched full on middle and leg. Root walks across and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket and steals a run. 

Nip-backer on a length, Joe Root stays put and blocks off the inner half of the bat.

Kicks up, around off, on a good length. Joe Root stands up on his toes and steers it to the cover-point region.

A momentous single for Joe Root! He completes 14000 Test match runs and becomes the only second batter in this format after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve this feat. The crowd is on its feet, the England dressing room is up in the balcony, and Root raises his bat to take it all in. What a great achievement from a great batter. Full and around off, Root leans on the ball and knocks it away to backward point for a single.

On the fuller side and around middle, Ben nudges it down to mid-wicket.

Length ball, on off, Duckett bunts it to point.

Dents back in from middle, Ben Duckett tries to play at it, but the ball squirts off the inside edge before rolling into the leg side.

Full and outside off. 133 kph. Root gets forward and taps it down to backward point.

A yorker, almost. Joe drops his bat down and squeezes it out to the off side.

EDGED, DOES NOT CARRY! Pitched on a fuller length and it nips away off the surface, around off. Root plays with soft hands to block, but gets a thick outside edge that dips in front of the second slip fielder.

Full again, on middle, Root walks across and down the pitch to flick it to mid-wicket for a single. Henry there dives to his right and surely saves a few runs.

Around off, full, driven firmly to the extra cover fielder.

Close, so close! This is a length ball, that stays underground and nips in sharply. Ben Duckett hops to ride the bounce but is outfoxed by the lack of bounce. Plays around the line and is hit on the front pad. A huge appeal for LBW, but not given! Several Kiwi players converge to have a chat with Jamieson and they have opted to go upstairs. Nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows that it is hitting the leg stump on umpire's call. New Zealand retain the review.

Full and cannoned into the batter, on off. Ben is drawn forward to defend, but inside edges on the front pad.

This one nips away from the batter, on a good length, in the channel. Ben Duckett pokes at it and gets beaten all ends up.

Pitched full and outside off. Duckett forces it to point.

Full again, outside off. Ben gets on the front foot and tries to hammer it through cover, but mistimes it to the cover region.

Full, shaping in, around off, Ben Duckett blocks it down the track.

FOUR! Shot of authority! Back of a length, just outside off. Ben Duckett rides the bounce and pulls it away to beat the left of the catching sqaure leg fielder for four runs.

Full-length delivery, on off, Emilio Gay prods and eases it to cover.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just what the Kiwis were hoping for, and it's Kyle Jamieson who draws the first blood. He delivers it fuller, angling in, around off. Emilio Gay walks across the stumps and flicks it off his pads, but there is a catching short square leg fielder just for these opportunities. Gay gets the timing right, but cannot keep it on the ground, and the ball flies flat to the left of Rachin Ravindra in that region. Rachin bends low on his left and catches it safely. England lose their first wicket early, chasing 453 runs. 

Shaping in, fuller, around off, Jacob Bethell defends it to cover.

Another fuller delivery, outside off, Jacob Bethell brings out his front foot and defends it to the off side.

Slanting down the leg side, Jacob Bethell initially looks to flick it, but as he sees the ball is harmless to him, he makes a leave.

OUT! LBW! That's two in the over and the start could not have been better for the visitors as well as Kyle Jamieson. Wide of the crease, angling back in, landing on a length around middle. Bethell is across but the bat comes down too late and the pad takes the full blow. The appeal for LBW is loud and the umpire does not hesitate to raise his finger. Bethell looks at his partner, considers the review, and decides against it. He would have been wasting it. The Ball Tracking later shows three reds with the ball projected to crash into the middle pole. England are dented early, 13/2.

Pitches it up, does Emilio Gay on middle. Emilio Gay brings out his solid defence.

FOUR! Now that's a shot and a half! Back of a length, slanting it just outside off. Emilio Gay lets the ball come at him and punches it a bit late to beat the right of the short cover fielder for the boundary.

Full, on off, Emilio Gay eases it to cover.

Bumper now, out of nowhere. Emilio Gay spots it and ducks immediately. 

Another bouncer, around the shoulder of the batter. Gay swivels on his back foot, lifts his front leg up and pulls it away to deep fine leg with some style. Single taken.

On a good length, at the stumps, Ben Duckett nudges it to mid-wicket.

On a good length, around off, Emilio Gay pats it to cover from his back foot.

FOUR! Off the mark in a streaky way. Back of a length outside off, kicks off the deck sharply. Gay goes back but is caught by surprise, a fraction late withdrawing the bat, and the ball grazes the edge and flies past the diving second slip fielder to his left. Four runs.

Jamieson pushes his length fuller, on off, Gay leans on it and blocks it down. 

Shaping down the leg side, on a hard length, Emilio Gay tries to flick it but misses the connection.

Attacking the middle stump, a good-length delivery, Emilio Gay loses his bottom hand and tucks it away to deep fine leg for a single. The ball stays a bit low as well.

WIDE! Back of a length, pitching it way outside off and swings away as well. Ben Duckett leaves it and Tom Blundell does well to fling himself to his left to collect it single-handedly. 

Short of a length, outside off, Ben Duckett dabs it down to cover-point.

Beaten straightaway! Hard-length delivery to start with, outside off, Ben Duckett doesn't like leaving the ball and the Kiwis know it very well. Duckett tries to have a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fuller, on off, angling in. Ben Duckett nudges it to the left of the bowler.

Back of a length, outside off, Ben Duckett chops it down to cover-point.

Good length, much outside off. Ben Duckett extends his hands and pushes it gently through cover for a single. With that Ben Duckett and England are underway.

A touch fuller, outside off, Emilio Gay shoulders arms at it.

Edged and just short! Fuller and angling across outside off, Gay gets forward to defend and gets a thick outside edge. It does not carry. Blundell dives to his left, gets his gloves to it but cannot hold on, and the ball spills away behind first slip. A single is all it amounts to.