Summary

  • Bad light ends day four with NZ 42-0

  • New Zealand need 382 to win

  • Would be NZ's highest Test run chase, seventh highest overall

  • Latham dropped by Vince on 23

  • England 352-9 declared (Root 54, Malan 53)

  • Second Test (NZ lead series 1-0)

Live Reporting

Jack Skelton and Amy Lofthouse

  1. If you're just joining us...

    ...hello! Unfortunately we don't have any cricket to bring you as bad light has stopped play in Christchurch.

    The hosts are 42-0, chasing an unlikely 382 for victory, which would be the highest ever Test run chase for New Zealand.

    England earlier declared on 352-9. It was a sedate start by Joe Root and Dawid Malan as the accumulated carefully to both pass fifty.

    The hosts were content to just dry up runs and carry on with the old ball even when the new one was available, only for Malan to chip straight to mid-wicket for 53 before Root once again failed to convert, edging behind for 54...

  2. Vic Marks
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Surely there will be more concerns that it'll get dark, than about the dew?

  3. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It's absolutely ridiculous. It's absurd to the nth degree.

  4. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Basically, it means we will start at 23:30 BST and play until England bowl New Zealand out, or it gets dark.

    We won't get 98 overs in. And England are really going to have to watch the over-rate.

  5. No early start on day five

    Henry Moeran
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    A clarification from the umpires - we won't be starting half-an-hour early tomorrow. Because of worries about dew, we're going to start at 10.30am (23:30 BST) and have 98 overs from there.

  6. Good morning if you've just woken up. Sadly, it looks like you won't be getting any cricket to rouse yourself with.

    Play on day four is about to be called off, with bad light having stopped proceedings about 50 minutes ago.

    New Zealand are 42-0, chasing an unlikely 382 for victory after England declared on 352-9.

    Stay tuned for more recaps and reaction.

  7. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Ominous sign here - the first of the tarpaulins has been laid out. The umpires are out there, but they've not got their gear on and I suspect this will be a quick decision.

  8. The umpires are out there with the light meter again.

    More sheets are coming on now and there is some light rain falling now.

    This should be it.

  9. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    If Jack Leach is nervous tomorrow and thinks the pressure's on him to win the game, he won't bowl well. I love Joe Root to pieces, but his textbook is a bit old-school Yorkshire cricket. I'd like him to throw that textbook away.

  10. Vic Marks
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England can win, but I think the draw's now the favourite. Someone like Jack Leach has got to get three or four, which he'll have to work hard for. Williamson can block, I think Latham may be inclined to, though I don't think De Grandhomme will. A lot of modern players feel more comfortable when they play their shots.

  11. I fully expect that decision will be the end of proceedings on day four.

  12. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    We gather there's going to be a decision made around 5pm (06:00 BST). Most of the crowd have left - they've made their minds up.

  13. Messrs Erasmus and Oxenford are going out to have another look soon apparently.

  14. The umpires speak...

    Umpire Marais Erasmus on TMS: "This is unfortunate, the game is nicely poised. If we don't get back, we'll have 98 overs tomorrow, starting half-an-hour earlier [23:00 BST]."

    Umpire Bruce Oxenford: "Initially we decide when it's unsafe for the quick bowlers to continue, and take a reading with our light meters, which we established on day one. We can then continue with spin until we feel we can't - and then we take a reading there as well so we establish the minimum standard for play."

  15. The DJ has now moved onto "A Message to You Rudy" by The Specials. Big tune.

    The umpires have a message for us, courtesy of Test Match Special's Henry Moeran...

  16. View from the press box

  17. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    We think umpire Marais Erasmus has had enough. He's striding very slowly off the field, and it's definitely darker now.

  18. I don't think we are getting any more play today. It's getting darker out there if anything.

  19. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    The ICC's standard regulations say that a maximum of 30 minutes can be added to the start of play on the next and subsequent days, so it looks like we'll be back at 10am (23:00 BST) tomorrow, even though the official close of play is still an hour away.

    All this cloud has got to go beyond the sun if we're to play again tonight - and I can't see that happening.

  20. The fourth umpire has brought some drinks out to his colleagues in the middle. Something hot no doubt in this gloomy weather.