England vs New Zealand LIVE: Cricket result and reaction from second Test after Jonny Bairstow hundred inspires win

Jonny Bairstow blasted a match-winning 136 from 92 balls to lead England to a remarkable five-wicket, second Test victory over New Zealand on Tuesday.

New Zealand were bowled out for 284 before lunch, setting England a target of 299 to win - the highest ever to claim a Test victory at Trent Bridge. England were 139 for four at tea, having lost star man Joe Root for three, with the game in the balance.

But then Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes ripped the New Zealand attack apart in devastating fashion, hammering 102 in the first nine overs after the interval. In total, their partnership was worth 179 runs in 20.1 overs.

Bairstow flew to his century in 77 balls - the second fastest test century by an England player, one ball slower than Gilbert Jessop's record against Australia at The Oval in 1902. Stokes, battling a knee injury, was unbeaten on 75 as he hit the winning runs.

Follow all the latest reaction from the match in the live blog below:

England vs New Zealand live updates

• England beat New Zealand to win second Test on thrilling final day at Trent Bridge

• New Zealand made 553 in first innings before England’s 539 in reply

• New Zealand 284 all out, leaving England 299 to win

• Trent Boult takes crucial wicket of Joe Root as England falter

• Jonny Bairstow (136) bludgeons blistering century off just 77 balls

Jonny Bairstow fires England to thrilling win over New Zealand in second Test

18:00 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow was England’s hero as he bludgeoned a record and quite remarkable century to fire them to victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

The Yorkshireman hit 14 fours and seven sixes in a staggering ton - a ninth of his Test career - that came up from just 77 balls, just one shy of Gilbert Jessop’s 120-year-old all-time English record.

His 136 proved pivotal as England chased down a Trent Bridge-record target of 299 with five wickets to spare to seal the victory and the series win, a first under new captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

It was, fittingly, the skipper - hero of so many of these occasions in the colours of his country - who was alongside Bairstow at the wicket for a post-tea firework show where 102 runs came from just nine overs to turn the tide in a match that for so long looked wholly in the balance decisively in England’s favour.

Earlier in the day Stuart Broad made the required inroads with the ball before Trent Boult, who became the most prolific Test number 11 in history in the process, added what the Blackcaps thought would be priceless late-order runs in posting 284.

Jonny Bairstow fires England to thrilling win over New Zealand in second Test

England win by five wickets!

17:57 , Michael Jones

June 2021: New Zealand set England 273 in 75 overs. England bat out a draw scoring 170/3 (70).

June 2022: New Zealand set England 299 in 72 overs. England chase it down in 50 overs.

Reaction from Jonny Bairstow

17:53 , Michael Jones

England knocked off a record 299 on the final day at Trent Bridge to win the second test and claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

England’s match-winner and player of the match, Jonny Bairstow, spoke to TMS after the game saying: “It was a good craic wasn’t it? At least you had something to talk about instead of being dull and boring on the radio.

“It’s really good fun. The plans after tea was let’s go one or two ways. With the short side and the stand how it is, there’s no point in going down. Just have to keep going up. There were times you had to get yourself in. I think I was 10 off 27 balls but once you’re in you have to capitalise.

“We always said if we needed 160 in the session, 160 off 35 overs, you back yourself to get that. I know we were four wickets down but the belief was still there. We’ve had people come out and play special knocks and that’s what we firmly believed when we came to the ground this morning.

“We wanted to take some wickets and that’s what we did. They played well all the way down. Fortunately we were brave enough to take this challenge on, and we took it on straight from the horns.”

Tom Latham speaks to TMS

17:49 , Michael Jones

New Zealand captain Tom Latham spoke to Test Match Special and recognised that the period after tea took the game away from them.

“Hats off to Jonny [Bairstow].” he said, “The way they came out after tea took the game away. Heading into the final session it could have gone either way if we got couple of wickets, but when someone plays an innings like that... it took game away from us.

“[After tea] we were only two wickets away from the bowlers and we were unable to make those breakthroughs. The way Jonny scored and [Ben] Stokes played a great hand - sometimes you have to take our hat off.”

Jonny Bairstow fires England to dramatic win over New Zealand in second Test

17:46 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow was England’s hero as he bludgeoned a record and quite remarkable century to fire them to victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

The Yorkshireman hit 14 fours and seven sixes in a staggering ton - a ninth of his Test career - that came up from just 77 balls, just one shy of Gilbert Jessop’s 120-year-old all-time English record.

His 136 proved pivotal as England chased down a Trent Bridge-record target of 299 with five wickets to spare to seal the victory and the series win, a first under new captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Jonny Bairstow fires England to dramatic win over New Zealand in second Test

England win by five wickets!

17:41 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes knocks off the winning runs.

England win by five wickets!

17:38 , Michael Jones

England now lead the three-Test series 2-0, with the final Test to come at Headingley starting on June 23rd.

They came into this series having won one of their last 17 Tests but now they’ve beaten the World Test Champions twice in consecutive games.

They chased 277 at Lords and they’ve chased 299 today. It is a record chase at Trent Bridge. The Ben Stokes era is off to an exceptional start.

England win by five wickets!

17:35 , Michael Jones

A nod of thanks has to go to Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club. Not only have they prepared a fantastic pitch for test cricket but they made the decision to let spectators in for free today.

These counties generate a lot of their revenue from hosting international cricket so it would have been a difficult decision especially as NCCC haven’t been allocated a test match next summer.

It was a great decision though. The fans came in droves and packed out the stadium and after tea the crowd had the place rocking. A perfect advertisement for test match cricket.

England win by five wickets!

17:30 , Michael Jones

England scored 160 runs in 16 overs after tea. That is insane!

Ben Stokes said that England would try a chase down whatever target New Zealand set them before the start of the day. At tea things looked close and there was a nervous feeling that the game go either way.

After the break though an onslaught from Stokes and Jonny Bairstow in particular swung the match firmly in England’s favour.

England win by five wickets!

17:24 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes cuts Trent Boult away to the cover boundary and knocks off the winning runs to finish 75* and guide England to victory!

Stokes raises his arms in celebration as Jonny Bairstow goes wild on the pavilion balcony. Ben Foakes jogs down and gives his skipper a big hug.

What a win for England.

England 295-5, need 299 to win

17:23 , Michael Jones

Boult is a little wayward with his attempted yorker and Stokes flicks him away for another four to the midwicket boundary.

Four runs to win.

England 291-5, need 299 to win

17:22 , Michael Jones

14 runs left to win for England as Trent Boult continues to bowl at Ben Stokes.

The England captain blocks the first couple of deliveries before clearing his front leg and launching the ball into the stands for another six!

Eight runs required now.

England 285-5, need 299 to win

17:18 , Michael Jones

Dropped! Matt Henry sends one in on a good length and Foakes is through his shot too early. He pushes at the ball and knocks it to Bracewell at cover, he has three chances to grab at the ball as he drops to his right but fumbles them and the ball spills loose!

England 285-5, need 299 to win

17:17 , Michael Jones

A short arm jab off the hip from Ben Foakes sees him collect his second boundary of the day. England aren’t in a hurry to knock off these runs, they’re just taking advantage of the loose balls now.

England 281-5, need 299 to win

17:14 , Michael Jones

Ben Foakes seems pretty composed. He’s been in decent nick with the bat and works Trent Boult away for a two before turning one round the corner for a single to fine leg.

New Zealand are keeping the field orthodox to Stokes now. No more giving him ones. He sees out the over and England need 18 more runs to win.

England 278-5, need 299 to win

17:10 , Michael Jones

Close! Stokes pushes the ball back at Henry and looks to steal a single but the bowler leaps to his right, stops the ball and has a shy at the stumps which just flies wide. Stokes dives back to the crease but he would have been short of his ground.

Keep your head Ben Stokes. 21 runs needed to win.

England 277-5, need 299 to win

17:07 , Michael Jones

Matt Henry is brought back on and New Zealand push the field back to give Stokes a single which he takes. They want to target Ben Foakes as the new batter.

It doesn’t work as Foakes pulls one away to the midwicket boundary for his first four.

England 272-5, need 299 to win

17:04 , Michael Jones

There’s a bit of admin still to do for England. The draw is out of the question but Ben Stokes and Ben Foakes need to marshall England to the close.

Another couple of wickets and New Zealand will feel like they can clean up the tail. Foakes sees out the over.

27 runs to win.

Wicket! Bairstow c Blundell b Boult 136, England 272-5, need 299 to win

17:02 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow’s fantastic innings comes to an end. Boult directs the ball across Bairstow who looks to cut it once again. He gets a little feather on the ball as it flies through to the wicketkeeper and has to depart.

He’s done his job though. England only require 27 runs to win now.

The Trent Bridge crowd rise to their feet to cheer him off as he walks back to the pavilion. Well batted Jonny Bairstow.

England 272-4, need 299 to win

17:00 , Michael Jones

A follow-up leg stump half-volley from Boult is flicked away by Bairstow and he collects another boundary!

England 268-4, need 299 to win

16:58 , Michael Jones

Boult is brought back on but to no avail. He digs it in looking to target Jonny Bairstow’s ribs but Bairstow is seeing it like a beach ball and hooks it once more for four.

He is 132* off 90 balls.

England 264-4, need 299 to win

16:56 , Michael Jones

Another short ball from Bracewell and Stokes rocks back to pull him away for four. The final ball of the over is full but Stokes shimmies down the pitch and smashes it into the top tier of the stands!

35 runs needed to win for England.

England 253-4, need 299 to win

16:54 , Michael Jones

That is Ben Stokes’ 28th half-century and the partnership between Stokes and Jonny Bairstow is 156 off 112 balls. They’ve completely taken the game away from New Zealand.

Michael Bracewell continues but drops one short and allows Bairstow to cut it away for four more.

England 249-4, need 299 to win

16:52 , Michael Jones

England now need just 50 runs to win the game. They required 160 to win 50 minutes ago. What a counter-attack from Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes.

Incredible scenes.

England 249-4, need 299 to win

16:50 , Michael Jones

This was a fairly sedate over from Tim Southee in comparison to the bombastic nature of England’s batting since tea.

Just two runs come from it until Ben Stokes dances down and smokes the ball over the bowler’s head for six off the last ball!

That brings up the England captain’s 50 too!

England 241-4, need 299 to win

16:48 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow always celebrates his hundreds in style. He’s enjoying himself out there and will want to see out the game for England.

England 241-4, need 299 to win

16:46 , Michael Jones

If Bairstow was batting in one-day mode he’s upped it to T20 mode against Michael Bracewell. Stokes takes one off the first ball of the over before Bairstow slog sweeps the spinner three times (six, six, four).

58 more runs needed for England. Bairstow 122*, Stokes 43*

England 224-4, need 299 to win

16:44 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow has been exceptional since tea. He’s gone fully into one-day mode and took the attack to the New Zealand bowlers. It’s been raining boundaries and he’s brought up his ninth test match hundred.

Brilliant batting.

England 224-4, need 299 to win

16:42 , Michael Jones

Tim Southee can’t stem the runs. Ben Stokes takes one to bring Jonny Bairstow back on strike and his slaps the final ball of the over through cover on the up for four.

England need 75 runs to win.

England 219-4, need 299 to win

16:40 , Michael Jones

100 for Jonny Bairstow! What a knock from the Yorkshireman who guides the ball down to third man and picks up three runs.

He moves to 102* from 77 balls - one ball short of equalling the fastest ever test hundred record for England. Trent Bridge rises to applaud him.

England 216-4, need 299 to win

16:38 , Michael Jones

No he can’t! Jonny Bairstow ignores the attraction of a personal milestone and blocks a decent ball from Tim Southee into the offside and yells to Ben Stokes to hold his ground.

England 216-4, need 299 to win

16:36 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes sees out the rest of the over from Bracewell. He’s still moving gingerly is the England captain.

Jonny Bairstow is on 99, he needs one run off the next ball to record the fastest ever hundred in a test match for England. Can he do it?

England 216-4, need 299 to win

16:34 , Michael Jones

Time for some spin as Michael Bracewell returns for New Zealand. Jonny Bairstow cuts him away for two off the first ball then repeats the shot a litte squarer off the next for a single.

Bairstow is up to 99 off 74 balls.

England 213-4, need 299 to win

16:32 , Michael Jones

What looked like a decent over falls in England’s favour as Ben Stokes opens up the offside and drives Tim Southee to the cover boundary for four off the last ball.

England need just 86 now.

England 209-4, need 299 to win

16:30 , Michael Jones

Trent Boult and Matt Henry have both gone round the park since the tea break so New Zealand’s captain, Tom Latham, turns to Tim Southee who has been expensive all game.

Two dot balls is two too many for Stokes who slaps the third ball of the over into the leg side. He comes back for a second run but isn’t moving freely after twisting his knee earlier on.

England 207-4, need 299 to win

16:27 , Michael Jones

New Zealand need to get Jonny Bairstow out. He’s dealing in boundaries and laces a beautiful cover drive along the deck for four more runs.

Another cut to the third man boundary puts Bairstow on 96* from 71. He’s got four more deliveries to earn the fastest ever test match hundred for England.

92 runs to win.

England 199-4, need 299 to win

16:24 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes wants to get into the action and advances down the track to Matt Henry. He yorks himself and can’t get the ball away but twists his left knee in the process.

The England captain guides the next ball into the offside and hobbles to the other end of the pitch for a single.

England 198-4, need 299 to win

16:22 , Michael Jones

New Zealand are a little shocked. There’s a conference of senior players discussing plans before Trent Boult bowls the last ball of his over and Bairstow slaps it away to backward point for four!

England need 101 more runs to win. They’ve scored 59 runs since tea.

England 194-4, need 299 to win

16:20 , Michael Jones

43 runs have come from the first three overs after tea and Jonny Bairstow isn’t done yet. He plants his front leg down the pitch and pulls Trent Boult over the shortish mid-wicket boundary for another six!

Boult goes slightly wider on the crease and digs one in. Bairstow doesn’t catch it quite right this time but he gets enough off the ball and causes the Trent Bridge crowd to roar cheers as it lands in the stands.

In no time at all Bairstow is up to 84*.

England 182-4, need 299 to win

16:17 , Michael Jones

That second six from Jonny Bairstow causes a change in plan for New Zealand. Matt Henry come back over the wicket and pitches the ball further up the wicket, trying to target the top of off stump.

Bairstow looks for a cover drive but misses the ball and it swerves away from Tom Blundell for a bye.

Bairstow and Stokes have put on 89 in just 70 deliveries.

England 181-4, need 299 to win

16:14 , Michael Jones

Oh Jonny Bairstow!

He’s decided to take on the short stuff despite New Zealand having men back on the fence. Matt Henry disappears over the square leg boundary as Bairstow smashes him out of the ground.

Bairstow goes for it again and this time the ball rattles into his head and flies over the wicketkeeper for four more.

This isn’t working for New Zealand. Another short ball and another hook for six! 16 off the over already with two balls remaining.

England 165-4, need 299 to win

16:10 , Michael Jones

Tom Latham turns to Trent Boult for the second over after tea. Bairstow and Stokes take a single each from the first three balls before Bairstow plants himself just outside the crease and blasts Boult over long off for a six!

Stokes finishes off the over with another four down to third man. Another 13 off the over, England are flying.

England 152-4, need 299 to win

16:08 , Michael Jones

A timely half century for Jonny Bairstow. He is up to 52 from 53 balls now. It is just his second fourth-innings half-century in 85 Tests.

England are over halfway in their run chase. They need a further 147 runs to win.

England 152-4, need 299 to win

16:06 , Michael Jones

It gets even better for England. Bairstow pulls another short ball to the fielder at deep mid-wicket but keeps it on the deck and takes one.

Ben Stokes’ first ball after tea is guided down to the vacant third man for the third four of the over.

13 runs coming from it. Just what England would have hoped for after the break.

England 147-4, need 299 to win

16:04 , Michael Jones

No slips for Henry. There are plenty men of the leg side including a backward square leg. That man is Tim Southee who is in action immediately as Henry bangs the ball in short and Bairstow hooks him wide of the leaping Southee for four!

50 for Bairstow! Another short ball and Bairstow rolls over the top of it and pulls the ball away for consecutive boundaries.

What a start to the session for England.

England 139-4, need 299 to win

16:00 , Michael Jones

Okay then, the final session of the second test.

England need 160 runs to win off a minimum 38 overs. New Zealand need six wickets.

Matt Henry will get things going again with Jonny Bairstow on strike.

Tea: England 139-4, need 299 to win

15:56 , Michael Jones

Will England go on to win this game?

All three results are still in play. 160 runs in a session is tough work and England will need a big partnership between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. Ben Foakes will also have a role to play when he comes in. One of these three needs to be there at the end if England are to win this one.

New Zealand will be confident of winning if they can break this partnership. The old saying is one wicket brings two and two wickets for the visitors means they are into the bowlers.

The draw is probably the least likely result. Ben Stokes has already said England will try to win the game, it would be unlikely for them to try and block out unless they lose a couple of quick wickets after tea.

Tea: England 139-4, need 299 to win

15:47 , Michael Jones

The afternoon session was a cracker but probably edged England’s way thanks to the partnership between Jonny Bairstow (43*) and Ben Stokes (25*).

There were a couple of big moments for New Zealand, Matt Henry had Ollie Pope caught behind before Trent Boult dismissed Joe Root for just three.

Alex Lees (44) looked set for a long innings but he dangled his bat wide of the stumps a nicked off to give Tim Southee his first wicket of the match and England looked in trouble at 93-4.

Stokes and Bairstow have steadied the ship though and will look to launch another counter-attack after tea with England needing 160 runs to win.

Tea: England 139-4, need 299 to win

15:41 , Michael Jones

Jonny Bairstow (43*) is into the forties and is closing in on a well earned half century. He was under a little bit of pressure coming into this innings but he’s played nicely, looked busy and put away the loose ball.

Trent Boult continues to mix up his lengths bowling at Ben Stokes. A bouncer follows a yorker before another one is fired in at Stokes’ toes and he slams the bat down to keep it out.

Just one run off the over and England head into tea needing 160 runs to win. New Zealand need six wickets.

England 138-4, need 299 to win

15:36 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes finishes off Henry’s over with a two before slapping a flat-batted shot straight down the ground for four.

England 132-4, need 299 to win

15:35 , Michael Jones

Matt Henry returns for dart just before tea. He took the wicket of Ollie Pope earlier in the day and will have his sights set on the right-handed Jonny Bairstow.

Bairstow works the ball away for a single before Henry strikes Stokes on the pads.

There’s an appeal from the New Zealanders but the umpire says ‘not out’.

Tom Latham goes upstairs for a look but the ball pitched outside leg stump and the visitors lose a review.

England 131-4, need 299 to win

15:30 , Michael Jones

A change in the bowling almost brings a wicket for New Zealand! Trent Boult returns and come round the wicket to Jonny Bairstow. The ball just holds off the pitch and Bairstow hangs his bat well outside the off stump. He gets a thick outside edge that flies wide of slip and goes to the boundary.

Bairstow then lifts a drive wide of the fielder at cover and collects two more.

A dab into square leg brings Ben Stokes back on strike and he pulls Boult away for another single. Bairstow finishes the over off with a square drive for one.

Another fine over for England.

England 122-4, need 299 to win

15:24 , Michael Jones

One of Bracewell’s key attributes is his ability to get overspin on the ball. That means there’s more bounce and it makes cross batted shots square of the wicket difficult to play.

Stokes warily sees off the first four balls of the over picking up just a single.

Bairstow guides one down to third man for another run before Bracewell drops his final delivery short and Stokes rocks onto the back foot and plunders it over to the deep mid-wicket boundary for four!

England 116-4, need 299 to win

15:19 , Michael Jones

Southee continues and Bairstow cuts him away to the deep point boundary for four more runs. The New Zealand pacer strays too straight and Bairstow flicks him into the leg-side for a couple.

The runs continue to flow for England.

England 110-4, need 299 to win

15:16 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes is on the charge! Jonny Bairstow takes a single off the first ball of Michael Bracewell’s next over to get Stokes back on strike.

Twice Stokes drops to one knee and whips a reverse sweep to the boundary to pick up another two fours off the spinner. A good over for England with nine coming from it.

The England captain is up to 15 now.

England 101-4, need 299 to win

15:12 , Michael Jones

Six! Ben Stokes shuffles down the crease and charges at Tim Southee before launching the New Zealander back over his head for a maximum. He brings up England’s hundred with that shot as well.

Southee responds with a decent delivery. Angled in from around the wicket and just holding it’s line before sneaking past Stokes’ outside edge. There are a few sighs from the slip cordon as that one comes through. It was very close.

England 95-4, need 299 to win

15:09 , Michael Jones

Ben Stokes is off the mark. Jonny Bairstow picks up a single with a guided cut through point off the spinner before Stokes knocks one gently down the ground to collect his first run.

Two taken off the over for England. The captain is taking his time to get into his innings.

England 93-4, need 299 to win

15:05 , Michael Jones

The England captain, Ben Stokes, arrives at the crease to a rapturous applause as the Trent Bridge crowd expect big things. Stokes sees out the rest of Southee’s over without too much trouble.

What will be going through his mind now? England still need over 200 to win and only have three recognised batters left - including the two at the crease.

Wicket! Lees b Southee c Blundell 44, England 93-4, need 299 to win

15:02 , Michael Jones

England are four down now! Alex Lees was looking good but he feathers an edge off Tim Southee through to Tom Blundell. Southee came around the wicket to the left-hander and Lees just followed the ball and caught the edge.

England 90-3, need 299 to win

14:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

Six! After a few dot balls sizing up Bracewell, Lees decides he’s seen enough and smashes all the way to the long-on boundary. A sweet strike.

And with that I will stand down and hand over to my colleague Michael Jones to see us through to the finish, whatever that may be.

England 84-3, need 299 to win

14:54 , Lawrence Ostlere

Bairstow swipes Southee for four straight through mid-on – that’s lovely. England keep the scoreboard ticking through the over and that’s a very productive eight runs.

England 76-3, need 299 to win

14:51 , Lawrence Ostlere

New Zealand do indeed turn to spin as Michael Bracewell comes into the attack. No major attack from England as Lees and Bairstow pick up a single each off the over.

England 74-3, need 299 to win

14:46 , Lawrence Ostlere

Southee to Bairstow, who hits two on the off-side before seeing off five dot balls. The run rate has certainly slowed after lunch. Will New Zealand turn to spin? First, drinks.

England 72-3, need 299 to win

14:40 , Lawrence Ostlere

Henry has been excellent so far, complementing Boult at the other end. This is another very good over, varying his length with a couple of short balls and some fuller lengths which ask Lees to play. He defends well with a straight bat, and it’s a maiden.

England 72-3, need 299 to win

14:36 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lees sees off Southee’s first few balls before tucking one around the corner for a single. Bairstow flashes and misses a wide one, then bunts one down to the off-side boundary for two. Better from Southee, that, having been beaten up by Lees in his opening overs earlier.

England 69-3, need 299 to win

14:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

Alex Lees offers a good straight bat down the ground and it runs to the rope, he then dabs a single down to third man.

At the other end, it looks like Trent Boult is going to be replaced by Tim Southee.

England 64-3, need 299 to win

14:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

Bairstow navigates Boult well, stepping forwards to guide the ball through cover for four. The England win is down to below 10% according to WinViz, with draw the most likely outcome.

England 60-3, need 299 to win

14:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

Bairstow hits a nice punch through the off-side which doesn’t quite reach the rope, before getting away with an inside edge on the final ball of the over. This will now be an interesting test of England’s new positive outlook: at what point does their mission shift from chasing runs to preserving wickets?

England 57-3, need 299 to win

14:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

The atmosphere at Trent Bridge has suddenly gone flat. Bairstow grabs a single at the end of Boult’s over. England need a partnership.

Wicket! Root 3 c&b Boult. England 56-3, need 299 to win

14:12 , Lawrence Ostlere

Oh dear. Joe Root chips back into the hands of Trent Boult and England are suddenly in trouble. Huge celebrations by the Kiwis – they know just how big that is.

England 56-2, need 299 to win

14:10 , Lawrence Ostlere

Root picks up three scampered runs at the end of Henry’s over and he’s off the mark.

Wicket! Pope 18, b Henry c Blundell. England 53-2, need 299 to win

14:08 , Lawrence Ostlere

It’s a brilliant ball by Matt Henry which arrows towards off-stump before jagging back a touch and taking the edge of Ollie Pope’s bat on the way through to keeper Blundell. Well deserved for an impressive spell since replacing Tim Southee in the New Zealand attack.

England 53-1, need 299 to win

14:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

Pope hits another boundary through the off-side to bring up England’s 50, before wisely defending a couple of Boult inswingers. He dabs one down to third man and Lees sees off the final dot ball.

England 48-1, need 299 to win

14:01 , Lawrence Ostlere

Alex Lees is being tested by Matt Henry who produces an excellent maiden over, with a couple of very short balls mixed in with some good length balls at and around the stumps.

England 48-1, need 299 to win

13:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Pope cuts brilliantly behind square for four to end the latest Boult over.

England 41-1, need 299 to win

13:47 , Ben Burrows

Trent Boult is back for the first over of the afternoon... and he finds the edge of Ollie Pope’s bat with the very first ball of the session.

It carries low down to stand-in skipper Tom Latham at slip but he puts it down. A big chance to get the first innings centurion. He should’ve pocketed it.

Boult has his hands on his hips again two balls later as a booming inswinger goes past wicketkeeper Tom Blundell for four byes down the leg side. Not how New Zealand wanted to restart proceedings.

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:42 , Ben Burrows

Right then, what to expect over the next couple of hours. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain believes New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell will have a big say.

“The next challenge for Lees is going to be the spinner, Bracewell. Day five, afternoon, it’s quite warm here and that pitch now looks quite dry,” he says on Sky Sports.

“He didn’t face more spin, if any in the Caribbean or at Lord’s, so that will be the next threat.”

Former Australian cricketer Mel Jones agrees.

“Southee hasn’t found his rhythm yet, Boult has got into his rhythm quite well. Those bowling partnerships are going to be key,” she added.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Bracewell is on earlier rather than later again Lees, turning it away from the left-hander.

“They know Joe Root is brilliant against spin but that’s another challenge and there’s Stokes and the match-up there as well.”

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:33 , Ben Burrows

England reached the lunch interval on 36 for one, with Lees responsible for 30 of those in a remarkably care-free cameo at the head of the innings.

Ollie Pope was alongside him on six, leaving 263 still to get in 63 overs.

Will they get them? Or will New Zealand get the nine wickets they need to level the series? It could scarcely be better set up as we head into the afternoon session.

Imagine not liking cricket.

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:26 , Ben Burrows

The chase began at a lightning pace, for both sides.

Left-hander Alex Lees crunch the first two balls of the innings through cover for four and added a thick edge off the boundary before the end of the over. But England’s instant momentum was checked when Zak Crawley nicked his fourth delivery from the relentlessly impressive Boult to second slip.

After just 10 balls, England were 12 for one with things progressing at speed.

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:20 , Ben Burrows

Broad, making what may well be his final Test on his home ground, claimed a second success as England continued to take the game on.

He continued hammering out short balls, with the injured Kyle Jamieson - who will not bowl in the chase due to a back problem - unable to get out of the way. Instead, he tried to hook for the ropes and brushed another catch through to Foakes.

The lead was 263 when final man Trent Boult came in.

England failed to get to grips with the final-wicket pair, with Stokes bowling too long and seeing his seventh over clubbed for 14 by number 11 Boult before Mitchell pummelled Broad down the ground for six.

That took the lead to 296, leaving England’s required rate north of four-and-over.

James Anderson had been notable by his absence all morning but when he finally got his hands on the new ball, it took him just four deliveries to finish things up.

Boult clubbed straight to Stokes at mid-off, but the last-wicket stand of 35 had made England’s task exponentially harder.

New Zealand were 284 all out, leaving England to chase 299 in 72 overs.

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:14 , Ben Burrows

Let’s recap where we’re at as the players take a well-earned break after a hectic morning.

Every result was possible at the start of play, with the tourists 238 ahead with three wickets in hand at the start of the session.

Things almost got off to a perfect start for England when Matt Henry edged the second ball of the morning from Jack Leach to slip, but Joe Root let it slip through his fingers.

After half-an-hour of play Daryl Mitchell and Henry and carefully added 21 runs to their total to reach 245 for seven.

Stuart Broad entered the attack after eight overs and landed a much-needed blow with his fifth delivery. Replicating Ben Stokes' bouncer methods from the Pavilion End, but with the deep square fielder up, he tempted the previously evasive Henry into taking on the pull shot.

He made a mess of the stroke, nicking through to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to leave the Black Caps eight down with a lead of 259.

England 36-1, need 299 to win

13:04 , Lawrence Ostlere

A good battle between Henry and Pope, this. Pope manages to get bat in front of a good ball arrowing towards his pads, then flicks one to the leg side for a single to bring Lees on strike, who sees out the over.

That’s lunch, and just as it was this morning, this match is finely #poised with all results still on the table.

England 35-1, need 299 to win

13:01 , Lawrence Ostlere

A good over from Boult, giving away only two to Lees this time. There should be time for one more over from Henry before lunch.

England 33-1, need 299 to win

12:57 , Lawrence Ostlere

Henry’s first ball of the over stays very low and brings a bottom edge from Pope, but luckily for Pope it doesn’t carry through to Blundell behind the stumps. Pope then gets off the mark in style with a high whip of the hands to the leg-side for four.

England 29-1, need 299 to win

12:53 , Lawrence Ostlere

Alex Lees looks utterly imperious here, and what’s most impressive is the variety of shots he’s displaying. This one is off the back foot, pushed down to deep backward point for four more. The rest of the over is a little more circumspect, but it’s a great start by Lees.

England 25-1, need 299 to win

12:49 , Lawrence Ostlere

The beleaguered Southee is taken out of the attack and replaced by Matt Henry. Henry gets the ball swinging a little and the Lees assault is slowed for a moment. Just a single off the over.

England 24-1, need 299 to win

12:45 , Lawrence Ostlere

Lees picks up a couple flicked through the leg-side, then times a beautiful drive to the long-off boundary. The advantage of having a left-hander opening is obvious here, nullifying Boult’s angle across the right-hander which did for Crawley, though it also helps that he looks fluent and supremely confident. A single off the penultimate ball brings Pope on strike, who lets it go. England have 24 runs and Lees has scored all of them.

England 17-1, need 299 to win

12:40 , Lawrence Ostlere

Southee to Lees once more, and the Durham left-hander cuts the third ball of the over behind square for another four to add to his early tally. Southee is not enjoying this duel so far. His final ball of the over targets the pads and Lees rolls it to the leg-slide for a single.

Wicket! Crawley 0, b Boult c Southee. England 12-1, need 299 to win

12:35 , Lawrence Ostlere

Brilliant bowling by Trent Boult, once again in this match, teasing across Zak Crawley’s line before drawing an edge from the shoulder of the bat to second slip.

England 12-0, need 299 to win

12:31 , Lawrence Ostlere

Alex Lees smashes the first two balls of the innings through cover and then point, both for boundaries! Wow, what a start. A few more runs too, and Tim Southee looks deflated already. No hanging about, England are going big or going home and either way it’s going to be a fun watch. Imagine what damage Ben Stokes is going to inflict on this cricket ball later, by the way.

New Zealand 284 all out; England need 299 to win

12:27 , Lawrence Ostlere

Here we go then. No team has ever chased down more than 250 to win at Trent Bridge...

New Zealand 284 all out; England need 299 to win

12:20 , Lawrence Ostlere

So England need 299 runs to win this Test match. As Stuart Broad made clear this morning, there is no thought of saving the draw in their minds unless that becomes the only option late in the day – they are going for it. We are in for a fun afternoon.

Wicket! Boult 17, b Anderson c Stokes. New Zealand 284, lead England by 298

12:17 , Lawrence Ostlere

Jimmy Anderson is into the attack, replacing Ben Stokes, and almost picks up a wicket first ball as Boult swings and misses and it passes just over middle stump. A couple of balls later Boult swipes one right into Stokes’ lap, and that’s that.

New Zealand 274-9, lead England by 288

12:05 , Lawrence Ostlere

A disastrous over for England. They are sticking with the old ball, which in fairness has brought two wickets, but surely Trent Boult is delighted not to be facing James Anderson with a new Dukes ball in hand. Boult swipes Stokes into the deep for a couple of runs, then again for a four with the toe of his bat pointing to the sky like a tennis smash. Another four comes with a slash to deep cover, and a third boundary is crunched powerfully to cow corner. The score is getting away from England a little. New ball, please.

But first, drinks.

New Zealand 260-9, lead England by 274

11:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

Trent Boult plods one to the leg-side and makes history as the highest scoring No11 of all time. He celebrates, not giving it the full century guns but the half-ton fist pump and nod to the dressing room. Meanwhile Mitchell nails a pull through mid-wicket and that may just be the moment England decide to take the new ball. He picks up another four, and that’s his 50 – what a series for Daryl Mitchell, who can’t stop scoring.

New Zealand 249-9, lead England by 263

11:51 , Lawrence Ostlere

‘Holy shhhh....!’ the new batsman Trent Boult shots as a bouncer whizzes by his head. Another excellent over by Stuart Broad.

Wicket! Jamieson 1, b Broad c Foakes. New Zealand 249-9, lead England by 263

11:47 , Lawrence Ostlere

And it’s a carbon copy of how Henry fell. Another Broad bouncer, another wild swing to the leg-side, another top edge taken brilliantly by Foakes as it swirls wildly above his head.

New Zealand 248-8, lead England by 262

11:44 , Lawrence Ostlere

The new batsman, Kyle Jamieson, survives a risky pull shot, and Broad will have one more over with the old ball.

New Zealand 245-8, lead England by 259

11:39 , Lawrence Ostlere

Broad completes a wicket maiden and that is exactly the impact Stokes was hoping for. The new ball is only a couple of overs away.

Wicket! Henry 18, b Broad c Foakes. New Zealand 245-8, lead England by 259

11:37 , Lawrence Ostlere

In to the attack comes Broad, who gets a cheer from his home crowd as he starts from his favourite Pavilion End. He begins around the wicket bowling short, and Henry is happy to leave the first few, but a change in the field is what tempts him into a leg-side swing and he edges to keeper Foakes! One down, two to go.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website