Root drags England fight into final day against NZ

In a time of crisis, England turned to Root. While this match may have reminded him why he gave up the captaincy four years ago, he has once again held together a batting line-up that risked imploding.

Brook's cameo was exhilarating, a reason to be distracted from Stokes' knock in Durham. Still, it is the remaining presence of Root that gives England hope of battling deep into Sunday.

Root to the rescue

Figure caption,

14,000 Test runs for Joe Root!

Discussing Root as a stand-in captain, director of cricket Rob Key said the Yorkshireman regularly rescues England from 10-2. Key was close. In England's second innings it was 13-2.

Emilio Gay chipped Jamieson to mid-wicket and Jacob Bethell's worrying form continued when he was lbw to the same bowler for a duck. Root arrived to tick off yet another milestone in his glittering career, then Ben Duckett tamely hooked Will O'Rourke to mid-on.

Root was joined by Brook just before tea and, after the break, England launched a blistering assault. The opening five overs of the session, the first of which was a maiden, yielded 43 runs. The atmosphere was electric.

Root dabbed, cut and guided to the third man fence. He was the first to overturn an lbw decision off Henry - once again bowling with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell up to the stumps - because of an inside edge. Root was on 44 at the time.

Brook showed touches of genius. He whipped a six over square leg and slashed the ball through the off side in a 33-ball half-century. Brook also got an inside edge on a Henry lbw shout, only to jab the relentless seamer to slip.

Brook's exit was a moment of danger for England, but debutant Rew followed an improved wicketkeeping display by showing composure for his 15. He was unfortunate to be leg before on review to Jamieson, missing a pull to a ball that skidded through and hit him above his pads.

New Zealand set up chase

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Nicholls caught by Brook off Archer's bowling

Brook's first act of the day was a foreboding one for England. From the opening delivery, bowled by Archer, Brook was to slow move to his right and missed an edge off Daryl Mitchell that should have been caught.

But, in the circumstances, England did well to recover and their work with the ball and in the field across the first half of the day was creditable. From New Zealand's overnight 252-3, England took the last seven wickets for 110 runs.

Jofra Archer was again impressive, first having Henry Nicholls edge to slip for 121, then being brought back into the attack to have Glenn Phillips held at gully.

Most success went to Matthew Fisher, who claimed three wickets, despite not being used until 10 minutes before lunch.

With wicketkeeper Rew up to the stumps, Daryl Mitchell tried a scoop and was bowled for 68, a swiping Jamieson lost his middle stump and Nathan Smith holed for 38.

After dropping two catches on Friday, Rew had a better day behind the stumps, including catching the rebound when Root dropped Blundell at leg slip off Josh Tongue.

Figure caption,

'Remarkable sequence of events!' - Blundell caught by Rew off Tongue's bowling