Black Caps close in on second-test victory as Root digs in for England
Sunday, 21 June 2026
Second test, The Oval: New Zealand 391 and 362 (Henry Nicholls 121, Rachin Ravindra 76, Daryl Mitchell 68, Nathan Smith 38; Matthew Fisher 3-58, Jofra Archer 3-62) vs England 291 and 182-5 (Joe Root 75 not out, Harry Brook 58; Kyle Jamieson 3-37). Click here for full scoreboard.
The second-highest runscorer in test history stands between the Black Caps and a series-levelling victory.
At stumps on the penultimate day of the second test at The Oval, England’s Joe Root was unbowed on 75 as New Zealand closed in on a win in a match they’ve dominated. At 182-5, they still need another 281 runs to clinch a series win.
Resuming at 252-3 on day four, the visitors were bowled out for 362 in their second innings, leaving the hosts in London with a record chase required for victory.
A double wicket-maiden from pace bowler Kyle Jamieson soon made the pursuit of 463 nigh impossible, but stand-in skipper Root and vice-captain Harry Brook kept England’s dreams alive brightly for a period.
Root was his usual assured accumulator of runs while becoming just the second player in test cricket history to reach 14,000 runs. Brook also took his trademark approach in racing to 58 from 54 balls, with 10 fours and a six, before being snaffled by Daryl Mitchell at slip, after an edge deflected off wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
Blundell had given opener Emilio Gay a second life in the first over of England’s pursuit, off Matt Henry’s bowling while standing back to the new ball.
But Jamieson soon removed the first-innings half-century maker, and followed that up with dismissing Jacob Bethell lbw for a four-ball duck.
When opener Ben Duckett miscued a pull shot off Will O'Rourke into the hands of Henry at midwicket, it appeared possible that the final scheduled day of play may not be required.
Jamieson’s third victim, James Rew, came late in the day when the towering bowler asked for a review after the debutant had been struck in the groin, and was ruled lbw by the replay system.
Earlier, the visitors lost their last four wickets rapidly after lunch, leaving themselves almost five sessions to bowl England out and level the series ahead of the third and final test at Trent Bridge next week.
Jofra Archer produced another testing spell of quick bowling as unbeaten overnight century-maker Henry Nicholls fell for 121, but Mitchell’s 68 from 108 deliveries ensured they should have plenty up their sleeve for just NZ’s third win over their rivals in the last 10 tests.
Match situation and what to expect on day five
Even if Root progresses to his 42nd test century, it’s hugely unlikely it’ll be enough to deny the Black Caps victory.
The batter who sits behind only Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most test runs in history only has debutant middle-order bat Jordan Cox and then the bowlers for support.
Cox recently made a double-century in the County Championship however, while No.9 Matt Fisher frustrated the tourists in England’s first innings with a maiden first-class fifty.
NZ don’t have a specialist spinner for a day five wicket - part-timer Jacob Bethell took four wickets for the hosts - but Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips could help out the four-strong pace attack.
Stat of the day
Sachin Tendulkar’s record still feels untouchable, but Root is putting some distance on Ricky Ponting.
Root ended day four in London with a career collection of 14,073 runs in his 165th test. That still leaves him almost 2000 behind the Indian superstar, who had 200 appearances to make 15,921 runs, with his average almost three runs better than Root.
Tendulkar also has the most centuries with 51, as the England No.4 seeks a 42nd test to take him past Ponting and to within three of second-placed Jacques Kallis.
What they said
Jamieson persuaded his skipper Tom Latham to use a review late on day four when he got a delivery to shoot through and strike hapless debutant wicketkeeper-batter James Rew in the box.
His appeal for leg before was turned down, but the 2.03m seamer felt he had his third wicket.
“Tom was asking if it was straight but I thought maybe ‘umpire's call’ on height,” Jamieson said soon after stumps.
The ball-tracking graphic showed Rew was struck in front of his stumps, but it appeared it would also indicate the ball would have cleared the bails. So there was great joy from the bowler and the team-mates when it showed the delivery was predicted to hit the stumps and Rew was given out.
“Lucky to shock myself with that one,” Jamieson said.
The 31-year-old said the bowling attack needed “to stay patient and be ruthless” on the final day.