England bowlers tee up grandstand finish to second Test against New Zealand

England’s bowlers teed up a grandstand finish to the second LV= Insurance Test against New Zealand, with a rousing effort on day four opening the door to a classic conclusion at Trent Bridge.

New Zealand closed 238 ahead on 224 for seven, with a lead that leaves every possible result up for grabs including the tantalising possibility of a series-winning chase for Ben Stokes’ men.

Nottinghamshire have thrown their doors open on day five, offering free admission to see what could be a memorable day of cricket, enabled by the kind of passionate, proactive play Stokes has demanded since inheriting the captaincy at the start of the summer.

England were bowled out for 539 midway through the morning session after losing five for 66, leaving themselves 14 behind.

Despite the deficit, they had batted with such courage, going at a rollicking run-rate of 4.2 over 120 overs, that they still had time to shape the game. Joe Root, finally dismissed for a wonderful 176, had much to do with that.

James Anderson was also in the mood to seize the moment, scattering the stumps of visiting captain Tom Latham with his fifth ball of the day to reach 650 Test wickets and set the hares running.

New Zealand battled well in the afternoon session but lost five men after tea as England bowled and fielded hungrily, sensing a chance to push for victory. Matthew Potts took two, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach one apiece and a pair of run outs added the icing on the cake.

Anderson was the last English batter to fall in a lively morning session that showed both sides’ commitment to move things along and quickly had a fresh Dukes ball in his hand.

At the start of his over, spin greats Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan were the only men to have reached the