Black Caps open door for England on day four of second test at Basin Reserve

Second test, day four, Basin Reserve: England 435-8 declared and 48-1 versus NZ 209 and 483 (Kane Williamson 132, Tom Blundell 90, Tom Latham 83, Devon Conway 61, Daryl Mitchell 54; Jack Leach 5-157)

A criminal piece of running between the wickets by Michael Bracewell sparked a disastrous end to what had for so long looked like a hugely meritorious day for the Black Caps.

Bracewell was run out in the final session on day four of the second test against England, when he failed to slide his bat into the crease, thinking he’d comfortably complete a third run.

New Zealand skipper Tim Southee threw his wicket away soon after as the hosts lost their last four wickets to be all out for 483. That left England requiring 258 for the win and a 2-0 series triumph and they were 48-1 at stumps.

Earlier, Kane Williamson’s 26th test century earlier had seemingly given New Zealand not just the chance of salvaging a draw, but the opportunity for an astonishing victory to stave off a rare home series defeat this century.

READ MORE:
* Kane Williamson becomes New Zealand’s top run-scorer in test cricket
* Black Caps vs England: Kane Williamson holds key as hosts spy glimmer of hope
* Black Caps vs England: ‘Bazball’ hasn’t got inside our heads, insist floundering hosts

Williamson made 132 from 282 balls – becoming the country’s most prolific run-scorer in test history while doing so – while Tom Blundell made 90 as the pair added 158 for the sixth wicket.

That set up what was seemingly looming – weather permitting – as a potentially enthralling final day, with both sides no doubt intent on chasing a win in front of a Basin Reserve crowd granted free entry.

It may still be that way – it would be the second-highest successful fourth-innings run chase at the venue if England prevail – but their task is now far simpler than what it should have been.

For a long time on Monday, Stokes was given second thoughts about his enforcement of the follow-on by New Zealand’s resistance.

Williamson and Blundell made James Anderson look all of his 40 years for the first time in eight days, while his new-ball partner Stuart Broad, 36, looked to be running through thigh-high surf when pursuing the ball towards the boundary in the second session.

But soon after Williamson had perished to batting star Harry Brook after the use of the DRS, Bracewell failed to slide his bat as Stokes threw from the boundary and an alert Foakes demolished the stumps to start New Zealand’s alarming slide from 478-6 to 483 all out.

New Zealand couldn’t have had a more historically appropriate place to launch a rescue mission.

In 1991, the home side started their second innings against Sri Lanka with a deficit of 323 on day three after Aravinda da Silva’s 267.

Cue a world-record test partnership for any wicket of 467 between Martin Cowe and Andrew Jones, with the only agony in the draw being Crowe falling a run short of becoming the first New Zealander to make a test triple ton.

McCullum became that player 23 years on when part of another remarkable drawn match in the capital.

New Zealand were dismissed by India when batting first for 192, the tourists replied with 438. Starting their second dig 246 behind, McCullum went three better than Crowe and with assistance from BJ Watling (124) and Jimmy Neesham (137 not out), another draw was dragged from the maw of defeat.

The home side appeared to have a far clearer approach to batting than they did in three previous innings this series.

Still faced with a deficit of 24 when resuming on 202-3 on day four, New Zealand scored at 4.10 runs per over in the opening session.

Both Henry Nicholls (29) and Daryl Mitchell (54 from 54 balls) could have been accused of playing too many shots, but time at the crease alone wasn’t going to be enough for the Black Caps to win the test.

Williamson had a heart in mouth moment came soon before lunch when left-arm spinner Jack Leach drifted one past the outside edge of his bat as he advanced and Foakes rapidly displaced the bails.

The batter – and all Black Caps fans – were then subjected to an interminable wait, as Aleem Dar pored over multiple replays like a Kennedy conspiracist with the Zparuder film before finally adjudging not out.

Williamson was on 45, and New Zealand 275-4, just 49 in front.

Anderson dropped Blundell off Ollie Robinson’s bowling when the wicketkeeper-batter was on 30 and New Zealand 345-5. He was also put down to a diving one-handed caught and bowled attempt when on 70 by Leach.

Big moment

Williamson fell to one of the most innocuous deliveries of the entire series, caught down the legside by Foakes to give Harry Brook his maiden test wicket.

Stokes made a last-second referral request after Williamson was given not out and was overjoyed and exceptionally relieved with the result as NZ’s premier batter had been in masterful control.

Best with the bat

All of Williamson’s skill and determination were on show.

After perishing in the first innings to such an uncharacteristically lax shot, the former captain was rock-solid in his defence and assured in his attack.

His sumptuous back-foot shot for four through square leg off Stuart Broad after reaching his half-century was ominous for England.

Best with the ball

Leach delivered 61.3 overs in the second innings and finally got his rewards in the dying stages of the day, ending with a five-wicket bag.

Big picture

One day left in the series – and England won’t be mucking around in their chase for the sweep.