Joe Root fought back to keep England alive in the second Test against New Zealand at The Oval. After New Zealand posted totals of 391 and 362, England struggled in their second innings. They slumped to 13-2 and later 40-3, risking a four-day collapse before Root stabilized the innings with an unbeaten 75.

During his knock, Root became only the second player after Sachin Tendulkar to reach 14,000 Test runs. He shared a 97-run partnership with Harry Brook, who scored a fast 58. England now sit at 182-5, needing 281 more runs to hit a world-record target of 463, while New Zealand need five wickets.

Off-field chaos defined the match as Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson missed the game due to curfew breaches. While Root captained the side, Stokes scored 95 for Durham. This distraction clouded a match where England's inexperienced lineup struggled against a disciplined New Zealand attack led by Kyle Jamieson, who took 3-37 in the second innings.

England currently hold a 1-0 series lead, though the match is likely to end in a draw or a New Zealand win. Matthew Fisher claimed three wickets to help bowl New Zealand out, but the hosts remain precarious. England faces a steep climb to avoid leveling the series at 1-1.