England strike late to set up nail-biter at Trent Bridge

MATCH CENTRE

England start briskly in search of quick runs

Joe Root and Ben Foakes began day four as they left off, punishing the New Zealand quicks, helping the hosts edge closer to New Zealand's first innings total.

Southee's first over of the day yielded three boundaries, including an audacious reverse scoop from Joe Root over third man. England stroked seven boundaries in the first five overs of the day, making their intentions pretty clear, with Ben Foakes bringing up his half-century. Southee, especially, bore the brunt, conceding 33 runs in his first three overs.

Boult, Bracewell help the Kiwis preserve their lead

The positive start though could not be converted into a big score by the hosts as New Zealand struck back with verve after an erratic few overs. Joe Root perished on 176 against a Boult slower delivery, with Southee taking the catch.

Another brilliant grab, this time by Daryl Mitchell, led to the dismissal of Stuart Broad off the bowling of Michael Bracewell. Foakes, after a vital half-century, was run-out on 56.

Boult would have his five-for, scalping Potts with a searing yorker. The England innings would come to an end at 539, with Bracewell celebrating his third after the dismissal of James Anderson.

New Zealand would take a minor lead of 14, as England lost their last five wickets adding 66 runs in 14.2 overs on day four.

Conway, Young steady the ship

After skipper Tom Latham was dismissed early by James Anderson, the onus was on Will Young and Devon Conway in the second session. The pair batted with great determination, stitching together a 100-run stand to extend New Zealand's lead.

Conway would bring up his half-century, before perishing against the spin of Jack Leach. Young was unbeaten on 49 as the visitors headed into the final session with a 128-run lead.

England mount a determined fightback

England fought back valiantly at the start of the final session, with Matthew Potts dismissing Henry Nicholls for 3 with a wide length delivery. Mitchell and Young then had a horrendous mix-up at the crease, leading to the latter being run out for 56.

Mitchell, joined by Blundell at the crease, continued to frustrate England after their heroics in the first innings, where they both notched up brilliant tons. Batting with great patience, the pair established an unbeaten partnership of 45, grinding down the England bowlers for the majority of the final session.

Their stand would be broken by Stuart Broad, as he sent Blundell packing for 24 with a short delivery, leaving the door open for England again.

Michael Bracewell went hell for leather but his enterprising cameo of 25 came to an end as he went for one shot too many against Potts.

Another terrible piece of running between the wickets led to Tim Southee being run out for a duck, with England well and truly in the ascendancy.

A riveting final day awaits

The hosts will now hope to clean up the New Zealand tail to force through the issue on the final day and give themselves a chance of chasing down a target.

The New Zealand pair of Daryl Mitchell (32*) and Matt Henry (8*) will look to add some vital runs, with their lead currently standing at 238 and aim to bowl England out in order to level the series. It's game on at Trent Bridge!

Stat Attack

With his knock of 176, Joe Root overtook two legends of the game in the leading run-scorers chart of Test cricket. Root (10,191 runs) went past Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs) and Younis Khan (10,099 runs).