Joe Root reaches 14,000 Test runs but New Zealand on brink of levelling series at The Oval
Joe Root became the second batter to pass 14,000 Test runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar, but his unbeaten 75 could not stop New Zealand taking control of the second Test. England, chasing a world-record 463, ended day four on 182 for five, still needing 281 runs.
Root's landmark day
Joe Root walked to the crease at 2.45pm with England in deep trouble at 13 for two, chasing an improbable 463 to win. Two runs later he nudged the ball into the off side and became only the second player in Test history to reach 14,000 runs, after India’s Sachin Tendulkar (15,921). The milestone drew a standing ovation from the Kia Oval crowd and a sheepish raise of the bat from Root, who reached the mark in his 302nd innings, 23 more than Tendulkar needed.
- Joe Root walks out to bat with England 13 for two; two runs later reaches 14,000 Test runs.
- Ben Duckett holes out for nine, England slump to 40 for three just before tea.
- Root and Harry Brook counter-attack, adding 97 from 117 balls.
- Brook brings up a 33-ball half-century with ten fours and a six.
- Brook edges Matt Henry to slip for 58; Root survives lbw scare on 44 via DRS.
- Kyle Jamieson traps James Rew lbw for 15; England close on 182 for five.
Stokes' absence felt
Root is standing in as captain for the second Test after Ben Stokes was omitted for breaking a team curfew following the series-opening win at Lord’s. While Root compiled a steady unbeaten 75, Stokes was 275 miles north at Chester-le-Street, smashing 95 for Durham in the County Championship. England bowler Josh Tongue admitted the team missed their regular skipper but praised Root’s leadership.
Yeah, we've missed him. He's an unbelievable player. Obviously I made my debut when he was captain, so I've got huge respect for Stokesy.
Early collapse and Brook’s counter-attack
England’s chase began disastrously. Opener Emilio Gay flicked Kyle Jamieson to midwicket for six, then Jacob Bethell was trapped lbw first ball to leave the hosts 13 for two. Ben Duckett’s miscued hook off Will O’Rourke made it 40 for three just before tea. Root then combined with Harry Brook in a 97-run stand from 117 balls. Brook raced to a 33-ball fifty, striking ten fours and a six, but Matt Henry eventually found his outside edge, caught by Daryl Mitchell at slip for 58.
Root steadies the ship
After Brook’s departure, Root absorbed the pressure. He survived an lbw scare on 44 when DRS showed an inside edge, and remained unbeaten at stumps on 75 from 137 balls. Kyle Jamieson claimed three for 37, including the wicket of James Rew for 15 late in the day. Root’s efforts, however, look set to come in a losing cause: no side has ever chased more than 418 in a fourth innings, and England’s own record is 378.
Decisive final day ahead
New Zealand, who levelled the series 1-1 with one match to play, need five wickets to force a decider at Trent Bridge. England, 281 adrift, must either pull off an unprecedented chase or bat through nearly five sessions on a day-five pitch. Root’s previous unbeaten 142 guided England to a record chase of 378 against India at Edgbaston four years ago, but even a repeat may not be enough.
