Kyle Jamieson claimed three wickets as New Zealand pressed for a series-levelling victory in the second Test, leaving England with a record-breaking run chase at The Oval on Saturday. England closed the fourth day on 182-5, needing a further 281 runs to reach a mammoth target of 463.
Record Chase Looms
The highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test cricket history is the West Indies' 418-7 against Australia in 2003. England will need to surpass that to win. Stand-in captain Joe Root remained unbeaten on 75, having become just the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 14,000 Test runs.
Jamieson Strikes Early
England's chase began disastrously, falling to 13-2 after Jamieson struck twice in five balls. Emilio Gay (11) clipped to midwicket, and Jacob Bethell was lbw for a duck. Root, who took over as captain after Ben Stokes was dropped for a disciplinary breach, needed just two runs to join Tendulkar in an exclusive club. He reached the milestone with a single off Matt Henry, raising his bat to applause from the Oval crowd.
Root's 14,000 runs place him second on the all-time list behind Tendulkar's 15,921. The 35-year-old said, "It's a special moment, but the focus is on the team's goal."
Root and Brook Resist
Root and Harry Brook (58) added 97 runs for the third wicket, with Brook hitting a 33-ball fifty featuring 10 fours and a six. However, Henry dismissed Brook, caught at slip, ending the partnership. Jamieson returned to have debutant James Rew lbw on review, finishing with figures of 3-37 in 14 overs.
Stokes Absent
England are missing regular captain Ben Stokes, who scored 95 for Durham on Saturday but was dropped for breaking a curfew after the first Test win at Lord's. Stokes is expected to return for the third Test at Trent Bridge. Root will have debutant Jordan Cox for company on Sunday as England attempt to level the series at 1-1.
New Zealand's Second Innings
Earlier, New Zealand were dismissed for 362 in their second innings, resuming on 252-3. Henry Nicholls added just two runs to his overnight 119, but Daryl Mitchell contributed 68 after being dropped off the first ball of the day.
