2nd Test: Daryl Mitchell holds fort for New Zealand as Nottingham Test gears up for a thrilling end

The second Test between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham is currently on a knife edge. At the end of the fourth day’s play, both the teams have a chance to win. But since the Black Caps are trailing 0-1, they would like to start the fifth day on a positive note.

The fourth day’s play continued after Joe Root scored his 27th Test century. The fact that he hit Tim Southee for a six in the third man field with a reverse scoop showed what form he is in.

Root scored 176 off 211 balls with 26 fours and a six, before Trent Boult attributed it to his prized skull. Ben Fox also scored 56 runs, after which he was run out.

England’s lower order could not show much flexibility as England gave the Black Caps a short, yet crucial 14-run lead. Boult was the bowlers’ choice for the Kiwis as he finished with figures of 33.3-8-106-5. Michael Bracewell also got three important wickets.

In the second innings, the Kiwis lost the opening wicket of stand-in captain Tom Latham. Veteran pacer James Anderson did his woodwork and also became the third bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne to take 650 Test wickets.

Will Young and Devon Conway stabilized the ship by scoring 56 and 52 respectively. But New Zealand lost after a partnership of 100 runs between the two.

Tom Blundell and Bracewell started before being dismissed. Daryl Mitchell, who was fresh off scoring a century in the first innings, was one of the overnight batsmen.

The Black Caps are currently leading by 238 runs with three wickets left in their second innings.