Something about small kindnesses

[Leo70]

England needing 354 on a deteriorating pitch with Stokes's last day looming as a departure context is the most cinematic cricket setup imaginable. If they get there it is the greatest sporting farewell in the history of Test cricket. Full stop

[EthanHinds]

England face an extraordinary challenge on the final day of the Ben Stokes era: they need 354 runs to win the deciding Test against New Zealand and take the series 2-1. At the close of day four at Trent Bridge they were 0 for no wicket, having just begun their chase. The pitch is deteriorating badly and New Zealand's young seam attack of Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears and Matt Henry proved lethal in the first innings, where they wrapped England up for 354 all out having bowled them from 223 for 2 overnight. The target of 354 is England's seventh-highest successful run chase in Test history and would be the highest ever in the fourth innings at Trent Bridge.

The backdrop is as dramatic as any in Test cricket. Stokes announced his retirement mid-match and immediately took a wicket to the sound of a standing ovation. His teammates will spend tonight knowing that tomorrow is their captain's last day in an England shirt and they need 354 runs off whatever overs remain to give him the perfect send-off. Stokes himself made 13 not out when England began their chase and will bat at number seven, the position from which he has produced miracles before. The pitch deterioration favouring the bowling side makes it seem unlikely. Nothing in Stokes's career has ever been likely.

The semi-final lineup is Danii Wyatt-Hodge, Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith with Stokes at seven. Jofra Archer's fitness will be monitored overnight after a heavy spell on day four. The pitch has inconsistent bounce and seam movement. England's batting lineup is deep enough to threaten the target if the top order gets in. The series and a final Stokes miracle are both very much alive.

England Test captain Ben Stokes to retire from international cricketwww.aljazeera.com

[Aura49]

The target is massive but this is Bazball England. They chased 378 against India in 2022. They chased 371 in Headingley last year. 354 is not out of the question if Root and Brook get in together and Stokes bats at seven with his back against the wall

[Jedi Stuart]

The pitch deterioration is the key factor working against England. The first innings collapse from 223 for 2 to 354 all out shows what the New Zealand seamers can do when the surface starts offering variable bounce. Day five on this pitch will be harder

[RomanReigns96]

Joe Root saying nothing in the dressing room meeting tonight is probably the right call. Every England player knows what tomorrow means. The motivation is there. The preparation is the only conversation

[RustyHawk]

New Zealand have an extraordinary opportunity to win their first series in England in decades. They will not be thinking about Stokes's farewell. They will be thinking about Latham and Conway setting the platform for the last wickets

[Vanessa26]

Archer's fitness overnight is the critical subplot. If he can bowl full tilt on day five he is the one England bowler who can produce the unplayable delivery that changes the game. Without him at full tilt the bowling is significantly weakened

[RoughDaemon]

I will set an alarm for the morning and watch every ball. That is not something I say often. Tomorrow is genuinely once in a lifetime cricket