Victory-chasing New Zealand capture Stokes after defiant stand

England trail New Zealand’s first innings by 69 runs but need to survive the remaining 31 overs in the final session to stop the hosts from taking a 1-0 lead in the two match series.

Stokes had worked hard with Chris Woakes to defy New Zealand’s bowlers for the entire middle session but chased a short Neil Wagner delivery outside off stump and only succeeded in hitting the ball to Tim Southee at backward point.

The 26-year-old was dismissed for 66, while Woakes was 38 not out after the pair had threatened to deny New Zealand’s push for victory with a patient, low-risk partnership of 83 in almost 31 overs.

Kane Williamson’s side had begun the final day of the first day-night test in New Zealand needing seven wickets to win the game they had dominated from the opening day when they bowled England out for a record low score of 58.

They looked to be well within sight of victory at the end of the first session when they captured the wickets of Dawid Malan for 23, Johnny Bairstow (26) and Moeen Ali to reduce the visitors to 217 for six.

Stokes and Woakes, however, simply put their heads down and ensured they were not lured into false shots or chasing wide deliveries on a pitch that was offering little assistance to the New Zealand pace attack.

Stokes curbed his normally aggressive instincts to take 128 deliveries to reach his half century with three runs through the covers off Colin de Grandhomme.

The short-pitched bowling of Wagner, however, began to provide some concern towards the end of the session as dark clouds forced the lights to come on early and Stokes’ rare false shot paid dividends for the hosts.