Root dropped on 38published at 34.2 overs

34.2 overs

Eng 148-2

Another chance spilled in the slips!

It's not the easiest of opportunities as Root reverse sweeps Bracewell with menace. But it pierces Daryl Mitchell's hands and races to the boundary.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Only miscalculations by England could cost them victory in this game from here. There's not feeling of tension at the moment.

If someone would have told me at the end of March in Grenada when England had lost to the West Indies that New Zealand would be whitewashed here I don't think anyone would have believed them.

Patrick Smith: It's great that Root and Pope have got the deficit down to just a 'Bairstow'!

Devon Conway does brilliantly in the field. He chases it down running from point, scoops it up with one hand and then topples over the boundary. He saves only one run. Commitment.

Three from the over. Pope is 61. Root on 28. We have seven overs left, which need to be completed by 18:49 BST.

Jonathan Agnew
BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

Joe Root has played so fluently and you wouldn't back against him guiding England home tomorrow. However, it's already sold out so don't come along unless you have a ticket!

Root and Pope exchange singles, before the Yorkshireman reverse sweeps Bracewell for two more.

Bracewell has struggled today. Just going through the motions. He has a wicket to his name in this innings, but it was more down to Zak Crawley's misjudgement than any brilliance from the spinner.

jambarrell: I don't get people comparing Ollie Pope to Ian Bell...for me something of Pope's technique reminds of Ricky Ponting.

Southee invites a play and a miss from Pope. A wicket here will certainly give New Zealand a spring in their step. England just need to see off the next half an hour or so.

I have no doubt that a seven-year-old me would have seen that shot from Joe Root and emulated it in a game of garden cricket with my pals.

It's not out of the question for a 36-year-old me do the same when I get home this evening.

Rev Aidan Watson: That shot from Joe Root is incredible, but it's not actually that risky given his skill. He knew Neil Wagner was bowling wide of off stump tempting the drive, and when he knows where the bowler is bowling he has the shots to hit it where he wants to.

Stop what you're doing. Watch this.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

So good from Joe Root. He's played that shot a few times but that pull is the best of the lot. He gets into such a good position and just helps it to the boundary. New Zealand have three-and-a-half bowlers here because Michael Bracewell has not really been up to it.

Class. Pure class. Joe Root picks up a short ball from Tim Southee, rotates his body with real elegance and pulls it to the boundary. Timing. Technique. Placement.

Pope is struck on the pads. Southee screams in the direction of the umpire. Kane Williamson isn't going to waste his last review. Southee suggests to his captain that it was probably too high. And he's right.

Alex Hartley
Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

We know England would have gone for the chase here whatever happens in the new era of their players playing 'Bazball' as its been dubbed. What I have liked about this partnership between Joe Root and Ollie Pope is it has been aggressive but they haven't played every shot in the book. Yes, Root played that incredible shot, but he and Pope have also left well outside off stump.

Boult drops his length a bit. Root and Pope take four from the over.

England's are going well in this chase with the partnership now worth 71. The Kiwis are looking a bit deflated.

There's a fair bit of rain forecasted tomorrow. Even if England are to knock off these runs, we could still be in for an exciting finish and a race against time.

Andy Zaltzman
BBC Test Match Special statistician

Ollie Pope's ninth score of 50 or more. He's converted two of them into centuries.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special

That wasn't the best of Pope there but there have been some glorious shots along the way.

50 for Popepublished at 28 overs

28 overs

Eng 118-2

Ollie Pope reaches his half-century in fortunate fashion. An inside edge down to the fine-leg boundary.

He's played some wonderful shots today.

A couple of dodgy moments for Joe Root. He fiddles at a slower delivery outside his off stump and then nearly chops on, before sneaking a single.

We have 14 overs remaining and play can go on until 18:49 BST.

Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

They are looking a little bit ragged at the moment, the Kiwis.

Neil Wagner offers up a wide half-volley and Ollie Pope throws his hands.

Bosh. Four. Easy.