England v New Zealand: Joe Root says hosts can chase 455 to win
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
| Second Test, day four, Headingley |
| New Zealand 350 & 454-8 dec: Watling 120, Craig 58* |
| England 350 & 44-0 |
| England target: 455 |
| Scorecard |
Batsman Joe Root says England can do "something special" by chasing 455 to beat New Zealand in the second Test at Headingley.
A draw would be enough to secure a 1-0 series win for England, who reached 44-0 before rain ended play shortly after lunch on day four.
"We've got a long batting order and we've got every opportunity," said 24-year-old Root.
"The key is to go out with a view to chasing them down."
| Highest fourth-innings chases in Tests |
|---|
| 418-7: West Indies v Australia, Antigua, 2003 |
| 414-4: South Africa v Australia, Perth, 2008 |
| 406-4: India v West Indies, Trinidad, 1976 |
| 404-3: Australia v England, Headingley, 1948 |
| 387-4: India v England, Chennai, 2008 |
If England reach their target, it would be the highest successful fourth-innings chase in Test history, beating the 418-7 that West Indies made against Australia in Antigua in 2003.
England's pursuit began after New Zealand declared their second innings on 454-8 on the fourth morning.
When the rain arrived, it looked to have boosted England's chances of earning a draw, but Root actually views the adverse weather as harming his side's chances of victory.
"Rain coming has made things a little bit harder because we had every intention of going out tomorrow with a view to winning the game," he said.
"We've got less time to do that now. There is quite a bit of work to do, but we've got an opportunity to do something special."
| BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew |
|---|
| "The dispassionate view would be that a New Zealand win would be an accurate reflection of the cricket played so far." |
BJ Watling, who converted his overnight 100 into 120, says 98 overs on the final day is enough time for the Black Caps to win the match and draw the series, after England's victory at Lord's.
"We're definitely backing ourselves to win the game," said Watling.
"We know England won't back down, so we have to come out strong and put them under some pressure."
