Daryl Mitchell steadies New Zealand as England hunt wickets
Daryl Mitchell is anchoring New Zealand's day-four fightback at Trent Bridge, where the Black Caps resumed 120 for three with a 204-run lead and pushed toward 163 for three as England failed to break his stand with Rachin Ravindra in the series decider. Mitchell overturned a tight lbw decision on review and was unbeaten on 46 while Ravindra reached 82, leaving Ben Stokes's side staring at a formidable fourth-innings target.
Key Takeaways
- New Zealand began day four at Trent Bridge leading by 204 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand.
- Daryl Mitchell survived an lbw review off Jofra Archer and shared a century stand with Rachin Ravindra.
- Ben Stokes opened the bowling but England took no early wickets as the pitch started to misbehave.
- England conceded a first-innings lead of 84 on day three and lost eight wickets for 130 with the bat.
- Live text, radio and video highlights are available as the deciding Rothesay Test reaches its penultimate day.
Why does Daryl Mitchell matter on day four?
Mitchell joined Ravindra with New Zealand wobbling at 51 for three on day three. Their unbroken 69-run partnership at stumps left the tourists 120 for three and firmly in control, with Ravindra on 60 not out and Mitchell on 26 not out, according to The Independent.
On Sunday he resumed as the more cautious partner while Ravindra accelerated. When Archer struck Mitchell on the pads in the 37th over, umpire and fielders appealed as one. Mitchell reviewed; replays showed the ball going over the stumps by an inch, and the decision was overturned.
By the 55th over, Mitchell had reached 46 and Ravindra 82, with New Zealand at 163 for three. The Guardian's live report said England were "desperate for a wicket" but could not prise the pair apart in the opening session.
How did the match reach this point?
England entered the Rothesay Series decider under pressure after a fluctuating third day at Trent Bridge. The Independent reported that the hosts lost eight wickets for 130 to concede a first-innings lead of 84, as a pitch that had played easily earlier began offering more movement and less reliable bounce.
Eleven wickets fell on day three. Rachin Ravindra's unbeaten 60 and Mitchell's supporting innings rebuilt New Zealand's second innings after early losses left them 12 for two and 51 for three. Harry Brook top-scored with 58 for England, while captain Ben Stokes made 15 before Zak Foulkes bowled him.
By the close, New Zealand held a 204-run overall lead with seven wickets remaining—a platform Mitchell and Ravindra extended on day four. Follow ball-by-ball updates on BBC Sport's live page, which is carrying text, radio and in-play video highlights.
Can England still win the decider?
England's route back runs through a collapse. Ben Stokes took the new ball on day four and sent down multiple spells, with Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue sharing the attack. Jamie Smith stood up to the stumps as the surface began to lift and keep low.
Yet Ravindra kept scoring, and Mitchell edged one through vacant second slip before clipping a boundary off Josh Tongue. The Guardian noted the partnership passed 100 and that the lead climbed beyond 235, while a fourth-innings chase "looks to be getting more challenging with every passing minute."
Defeat would complete a home series loss in a deciding Test where England, in The Independent's words, were already "battling daunting odds." For more on how technology is changing live sport, browse our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage.
Where can you follow day four live?
Play resumed at Trent Bridge to the strains of Jerusalem, with cooler, cloudier conditions than the scorching heat that had baked the pitch on earlier days. The Guardian reported Mitchell taking blows to the hand and elbow as Stokes and Archer probed, but neither incident removed him.
With the series on the line, every run Mitchell and Ravindra add tightens New Zealand's grip. England must strike soon or face a target that could decide the Rothesay Series before the final day is done.