ENG vs NZ: Joe Root makes history but New Zealand on course to win Oval Test

Joe Root stood as England’s lone pillar of resistance on day four at The Oval, leaving the hosts with a slim chance of chasing down a record target of 463 against New Zealand. The veteran batsman finished unbeaten on 75 to become only the second player in Test history to pass the 14,000-run mark, but with Harry Brook’s brisk 54 the only other significant contribution, England closed the day with an uphill battle still ahead.

New Zealand need just five wickets on the final day to complete only their eighth Test victory on English soil and their first in the country since winning the Test World Cup five years ago. After controlling much of the contest after an even opening day, the visitors are now within touching distance of a series decider at Trent Bridge.

England’s fortunes could receive a boost in the third Test, with Ben Stokes expected to return. While his teammates struggled at The Oval, the all-rounder turned out to be a pro Durham almost 300 miles awayscored 95 against Northamptonshire. Even though Stokes is no longer at his best, England have clearly felt the absence of their captain.

The visitors weren’t at their best with the bat on Saturday, adding just 110 runs as they lost seven wickets after resuming overnight. England briefly sensed an opening when Brook counter-attacked after tea, racing to a 33-ball half-century with his trademark aggressive stroke play.

However, Matt Henry quickly restored New Zealand’s grip on the contest. Producing a disciplined spell that yielded just one wicket for 10 runs in six overs, the seamer kept both Brook and Root under constant pressure. Although the pair successfully overturned an lbw decision after reviews revealed inside edges, scoring opportunities remained rare. Henry eventually got his reward when Brook fell behind him, with Tom Blundell taking the ball away to Daryl Mitchell at slip with a poor deflection of the glove.

Kyle Jamieson already put England on the back foot in the opening half. His double-wicket maiden reduced the hosts to 13 for 2 after Emilio Gay, who had earlier survived a dropped chance from Blundell, miscued a simple catch in front before Jacob Bethell was trapped in front on a delivery that stormed backwards.

Root reached another career milestone with a quick single off Henry to claim 14,000 Test runs and briefly sparked hopes of a recovery with two smooth boundaries off Nathan Smith. But Ben Duckett’s dismissal soon after, a mistimed Will O’Rourke pull at short mid-wicket, left England struggling at 40 for 3.

Brook tried to shift the momentum after tea, confidently charging Jamieson to drive over mid-on, while Root kept piling on deft strokes behind square. New Zealand captain Tom Latham’s tactics eventually paid off as Brook found it increasingly difficult to score freely before getting Henry to slip. Jamieson then compounded England’s woes by catching James Rew lbw after a successful check.

The match marked a tough Test debut for Rew, who managed just 39 runs across his two innings and also missed three chances behind the stumps. With Jamie Smith expected to return from paternity leave for the Trent Bridge Test, Rew may next appear higher up the batting order than as a wicketkeeper.

Earlier in the day, Jofra Archer provided England’s brightest moment with a lively blast with the older ball. He should have struck with his first delivery of the morning only for Brook to waste a tough chance at slip offered by Daryl Mitchell. Archer responded later when Brook safely had an easier opportunity to dismiss centurion Henry Nicholls.

England’s bowlers continued their rampage as Root combined with Rew to remove Tom Blundell after a juggling effort at leg slip, while Archer also accounted for Glenn Phillips with Jacob Bethell caught sharply at gully.

Nathan Smith and Mitchell frustrated England before lunch by attacking Bethell’s left-arm spin, with Smith hitting a string of back-to-back boundaries before adding another as England surprisingly delayed getting the second new ball.

Mitchell completed his half-century before attempting the ambitious move that saw him dismissed. England eventually opted for the new ball and quickly improved the innings as Matthew Fisher dismissed Jamieson and Smith while Sonny Baker wrapped up the tail by inducing a lead off Henry.

Despite eventually getting New Zealand out, England’s inexperienced attack spent 183.3 overs in the field over four consecutive days, highlighting the physical nature of Test cricket as they head into a daunting final-day chase.

– The end

Published on:

21 Jun 2026 02:50 IST