Summary

Have your say on England men this summer

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham

  1. NZ 230-3

    This time Daryl Mitchell flicks Harry Brook off his legs, much to Emilio Gay's frustration again at leg slip, for four.

  2. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It looked like six, the way Daryl Mitchel hit in, the venom in the shot.

  3. 6 runs

    NZ 221-3

    A few beery sinews of The Great Escape are being roused among the crowd at The Oval.

    Daryl Mitchell flicks Matthew Fisher off his legs and the ball just misses Emilio Gay, who is stationed in a wide leg slip.

    A couple of balls later and Mitchell opens his shoulders then whacks Fisher for six over long on and the advertising hoardings.

    Photographer Gareth Copley, sporting what I think were peach shorts, is on hand to chuck the ball back on to the field.

    England toiling a little bit here as New Zealand's lead increases to 321.

  4. NZ 209-3

    Harry Brook grunts as he delivers a 73mph dot ball to finish his opening over. A maiden to start with for England's vice-captain.

  5. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England have been worn down in the sunshine in South London. The pitch has deadened.

  6. NZ 209-3

    Joe Root has remembered how Jamie Smith was bowled in Yorkshire vs Surrey earlier in the season.

    Harry Brook into the attack...

  7. Daniel Norcross
    Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    After enduring a fairly tricky start, a torrid start against Jofra Archer, Henry Nicholls has held his nerve, held his composure. He's unfurled a really beautiful century that's put New Zealand firmly on top.

  8. NZ 209-3

    Matthew Fisher is making runscoring difficult for Henry Nicholls at least as he chalks up another maiden.

    England's highest-ever run chase in the fourth innings of a Test match came against India when they made 378/3 at Edgbaston in July 2022.

    The early-ish days of Bazball. Jonny Bairstow and all that.

  9. NZ 209-3

    Lead by 309

    James Rew continues to encourage Jacob Bethell from behind the stumps, and chirp at New Zealand's players.

    The England part-time spinner tosses a few up to Henry Nicholls but the Kiwi does not take the bait.

    Incidentally, England's highest fourth-innings total in a Test at The Oval is the 369-6 they made against India in 2007. That match was drawn.

  10. Get Involved

    Click ‘Get Involved’ to have your say

    After three wickets in the first innings, can't believe 38 overs went by before Jacob Bethell was given the ball. Leaving the most successful bowler until the opposition are completely played in, great strategy!

    Stuart Gibbs, Scarborough

    Bethell is a very handy spinner, I get that but what were we doing with Shoaib Bashir for so long if he's not in the side? Bemusing to say the least.

    Michael Simpson, Cheltenham

    Bethell - fielding great, bowling ok. Hope he soon remembers how to bat.

    JE, London

  11. NZ 208-3

    A maiden from Matthew Fisher patiently seen off by Daryl Mitchell.

    New Zealand's players get drinks brought on.

  12. How's stat?!

    Ben Jones
    CricViz analyst

    31 of the last 34 centuries by a Kiwi number three have been from Kane Williamson. Devon Conway made two a few years ago, but Henry Nicholls picks up where Williamson left off.

  13. NZ 208-3

    A couple of singles for Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell to finish off that over from Jacob Bethell.

  14. Phil Tufnell
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    There was a slight feeling of wobble when Jofra Archer was steaming in at 90mph+ and got rid of the opener but Henry Nicholls steadied the ship and has really taken the sting out of this bowling attack just by good solid batsmanship, nothing too extravagant.

  15. 100 runs

    Nicholls notches century

    Jacob Bethell lands a half-tracker which is emphatically pulled away by Henry Nicholls, who brings up his second Test century against England.

    Nicholls' previous hundred against England was at Auckland in March 2018. This is first Test century in England.

    'A fine knock' - Nicholls brings up his 100

  16. NZ 199-3

    Henry Nicholls, on 98, sees off a maiden from Matthew Fisher.

    He's within touching distance of an 11th Test century.

  17. NZ 199-3

    Daryl Mitchell content to see off a couple of dots to finish the over from Jacob Bethell.

  18. NZ 199-3

    So, back to those records England will need to break to win this match.

    England's highest successful fourth-innings chase to win a Test match at The Oval is 263 - that came against Australia in 1902.

    They currently trail by 299.

    Jacob Bethell continues.

  19. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    There's no control about where the ball's going to go. The batter just hooks or pulls. You might get lucky and he might sky one but equally it might go flying all over the place, no one is going to be able to stop this.

  20. NZ 197-3

    Sonny Baker starts his latest over a bouncer. It's an effort ball and he ends up collapsing on his follow through and his whites covered in dirt.

    It does not really cause much alarm to Henry Nicholls, picks up with a gloved four through fine leg for four.

    Final ball of the over and Nicholls backs away and swats a forehand slap into the pitch which goes straight down the ground.

    Nicholls moves on to 97.