Classic Joe Root shot as he just caresses the ball through backward point and away to the rope.

Will O'Rourke is finding a bit of early movement though. He gets one to just shape into Root and the ball hits the inside edge before smacking into his pads.

Will O'Rourke, who caused so much carnage in England's first innings, will open at the other end.

A positive start from Joe Root, who cuts the first ball through point for four.

Root then inspects the toe end of his bat as another drive goes a bit aerial before landing not too far from a diving Mitchell Santner.

It looks a glorious day at Seddon Park, with the sun beating down. That is in sharp contrast to this time yesterday, when the entire first session was lost because of heavy rain.

Joe Root did not face a delivery last night but will face the first ball of the day from Matt Henry.

It is also set to be an emotional day for Tim Southee on what will be his final day as a New Zealand Test cricketer.

He missed out on the chance to reach a century of Test match sixes yesterday, but he could add to his tally of 389 wickets today.

Image source, Getty Images

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Hamilton

The news is that Ben Stokes will bat if (when) required. We thought he was having a scan overnight, but that wasn't the case. It will be after the match.

Not even the weather can save England this time. The forecast for today is warm and dry with intermittent cloud. It is the same for tomorrow, too, if England somehow make it that far.

Mark Ramprakash
Former England batter on the TMS podcast

On whether Ben Stokes' captaincy is that important that he has to be in the team even as a specialist batter...

I would say yes. His leadership and captaincy is hugely important at the moment for the dynamic of this team. It is the response he gets from the team, the empathy that he has for his players, particularly when things get tough. It is also about how he's introduced young players to the team and handed out debuts and they've shown huge promise and that no-fear attitude. Ben's leadership is crucial to that.

There are options within the team, if you look at Jacob Bethell and Joe Root too, then there are lessons to take from this. Ben has to be a little bit detached when it comes to his own personal workload and try and manage those as well as he manages everybody else.

Listen to the TMS podcast on BBC Sounds.

Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on TNT Sports

It is tough for England and Ben Stokes, and, ultimately, they can't win the Ashes without a fully-fit Ben Stokes because of the balance of the side and what he brings to the side.

We've seen in this game the importance of his bowling, but with bowling rhythm, you can't just come back from injury and bowl.

He's bowled a lot of overs in this Test, but I think he was almost doing it for himself mentally to say I can do 25 overs in a day.

It is almost like it has gone again at the final hurdle. It is a blow because of the balance of the side and ultimately the way England play is led by him.

Australia do fear him and if he can only play as a batter then it does hinder England. They are almost back at square one asking if Ben Stokes will be fit.

Mark Ramprakash
Former England batter on the TMS podcast

Ben Stokes is a wonderful leader and captain, particularly at reading the game, but in terms of his own game, 23 overs, in my book, is too many.

He is 33-years-old and that workload in terms of there being an eight-over spell in there, where he bowled a lot of bouncers and that puts huge strain on your body physically. I don't think he'd ask another of his seamers to do that so it is just managing himself.

He will get fit again, but if we get into series against India or Australia and he gets into that competitive series and his hamstrings don't like it, there is ramifications for the team and those series.

Listen to the TMS podcast on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Stokes will continue to be assessed, though the word is he will be available to bat if required.

Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick admitted England may have to manage Stokes' bowling workload going forward.

The 33-year-old's 36.2 overs in this Test are his most in a single match since June 2022.

"Maybe it's a case that you manage his bowling loads and he doesn't bowl the volume that he's bowled in this game," said Trescothick. "We'll just have to look at how we manage it."

Rarely has a victory target been more notional than England's 658 after a punishing day in the field on day three.

New Zealand piled on the runs before eventually being bowled out for 453 after tea, with Kane Williamson hitting a classy 156 - his fifth successive Test ton at Seddon Park and seventh in total.

England also lost skipper Ben Stokes to a hamstring injury during the afternoon session.

To complete a miserable day England lost both openers before close so will begin on 18-2 - still a mammoth 640 behind.

We feel your pain, Ollie.

Image source, Getty Images

Hello and welcome to what is likely to be England's final day of men's Test cricket in 2024.

The series is in the bag but defeat here is near certain, can they at least go out with a bang?