2nd TestBen Duckett keeps England steady in 258-run chase on Day 4 after New Zealand fightback

Opener Ben Duckett kept England steady after Zak Crawley fell early on Day 4 of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Monday. England were 48 for one at stumps on pulsating day four, needing 210 runs to secure victory and a series sweep.

ENG vs NZ, 2nd TestDay 4 Highlights

Crawley was dismissed for 24 by New Zealand captain Tim Southee, but opener Duckett (23 not out) and nightwatchman Ollie Robinson (one not out) negotiated the tense final overs at the Basin Reserve. Earlier, New Zealand were bowled out for 483 in their second innings after tea, setting England a 258-run chase for victory on day four of the second Test.

After an inspiring Kane Williamson century raised the hosts’ hopes of an unlikely victory, England rattled through the last five wickets after tea to reclaim the lead. Williamson hit 132 and shared a big partnership with wicketkeeper Tom Blundell (90), frustrating the English bowlers from start to finish.

They had resumed after the break on 423 for five, looking well set to continue. Enter golden boy Harry Brooks, who provided an unlikely breakthrough for England with his part-time medium pace, catching Williamson down the legside. New Zealand promptly collapsed, losing four of their last five wickets.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell was run out for eight when he failed to ground his bat, a colossal error given that he had jogged well past the line when Ben Foakes whipped off the bails.

The wicket exposed the tail, and Southee was quickly out slogging for two runs. Leach dismissed tailender Matt Henry for a duck and Blundell for 90, finishing with a five-wicket haul for the innings as compensation for a massive 61.3-overs shift.

After chasing down a slew of big scores in the home summer, England will fancy their chances of reeling in the remaining runs on day five. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be disappointed that they did not set a higher fourth-innings target.