New Zealand Set England 354 to Win: Can Stokes Inspire One Final Bazball Miracle on Day Five?

[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