Jimmy Anderson took his 650th Test wicket as England went hunting an unlikely victory on the fourth day of the Second Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.
New Zealand reached lunch 41 ahead, having lost one second innings wicket, on another busy morning that saw the match advance at pace.
Before play, Joe Root said England would “not be scared of chasing anything”, making a positive result more likely in a match New Zealand need to win, played on a flat pitch.
England resumed 80 behind New Zealand’s first innings of 553, and lost their remaining five wickets in around 70 minutes as they took risks.
The batting of Ben Foakes was the highlight of England’s morning, as he made 56, his best score since his first tour, to Sri Lanka, in 2018. He unfurled a string of attractive boundaries as he accelerated on the fourth morning.
Joe Root, who resumed on 163, added just 13 – six of them through an outrageous reverse-scoop off Tim Southee – before plopping Trent Boult to cover.
From there, wickets flowed: Stuart Broad was brilliantly caught at slip off Michael Bracewell, then poor calling from Matt Potts saw Foakes run out. Potts was bowled by Boult to complete a superb five-wicket haul, then Anderson fell to Bracewell’s spin. He had found time for a couple of beautiful boundaries, though.
With the ball, Anderson wasted no time striking. Tom Latham looked to leave his fifth ball, but was comprehensively bowled from round the wicket.
At the other end, Broad found plenty of movement, but England made no further breakthrough. New Zealand were 27 for one at lunch.
