SM
Liverpool vs. Villa: 22 hrs 10 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Joe Root calls for "one big last push" as England chase unlikely victory

:Headline: Joe Root calls for 'one big last push' as England chase unlikely victory: ID:381418: from db_amp
The England captain hit a double century to put his side in charge, but Tuesday's forecast could harm their hopes of levelling the series.

England captain Joe Root has called for one big final push from everyone as they attempt to level the Test series against New Zealand at Hamilton.

The tourists earned a 101-run first-innings lead after they were all out for 476 on the penultimate day of the second Test – largely thanks to Joe Root's sensational 226 which marked the Yorkshireman's return to form.

New Zealand slipped to 28 for two as they lost openers Jeet Raval and Tom Latham cheaply, but the reliable pairing of captain Kane Williamson and veteran batsman Ross Taylor took the hosts to 96 without further loss at stumps.

The benign nature of the pitch plus the forecast for rain for much of day five means a draw is the likeliest outcome – meaning New Zealand would clinch a 1-0 series win following last week's triumph at Mount Maunganui.

But Root said: "It would have been nice to get a couple more wickets but I still feel if we can sneak a couple in the morning first thing, I know there's a bit of weather around, but you just never know.

"One big last push from everyone and try to come away from here with a levelled up series.

"I felt good. It was nice to get going this morning and I felt like once I got in, I had the bit between my teeth and wanted to make it a really big one and try to get us in a position where we could force a result in this game."

Chris Woakes celebrates his wicket (Mark Baker/AP)

Key to the last day could be prising apart Williamson and Taylor early on, who closed on 37 and 31 respectively in an unbroken 68-run stand.

The pair have more than 13,000 runs in 172 combined Tests and Root is not underestimating the threat they pose to England's hopes of pushing for an unlikely win.

He added: "They're two very experienced players that you expect a bit of rearguard from, they know how to play in those situations and on good surfaces you expect a bit of a fightback from the number two side in the world.

Ross Taylor, left, and Kane Williamson frustrated England (Mark Baker/AP)

"If we can make an early breakthrough in the morning it could get us on a bit of a wicket train because they're such key figures in their batting line-up. It would give our guys a lot of confidence, for sure."

A 193-run stand in 62.3 overs between Root and Ollie Pope (75) was the cornerstone of the day, the England pair out within five balls of each other as they went into one-day mode to hurry the game along.

Neil Wagner made the breakthrough when Pope holed out before the left-arm seamer angled one across Chris Woakes and then deceived Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad with slower deliveries, bowling both to finish with five for 124.

Neil Wagner, second left, took a five-wicket haul (Mark Baker/AP)

It was Wagner's fourth five-wicket haul in as many Tests but he attempted to downplay the feat.

Wagner said: "I was a bit lucky to get the rewards. All the other bowlers bowled well, too, and grafted away.

"It just sort of came my way and I ended up getting a couple of wickets which is quite nice and pleasing and satisfying.

"But all the bowlers bowled well with not a lot of luck and reward. We hunt as a pack and bowl really well in partnerships and I was lucky it came my way."

amp_article__381418 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-12-02 11:13:58:
html db last update - 2019-12-02 11:13:58 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Joe Root

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about Joe Root Neil Wagner Cricket
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .