Shoaib Bashir struck just before the lunch break to lift England’s spirits at Trent Bridge, but New Zealand’s lead stretched to 264 on the fourth morning of the Rothesay Series decider.

The hosts were staring at the awkward prospect of a wicketless morning on an increasingly unreliable pitch when Bashir entered the attack in the penultimate over and enjoyed instant success.

His fourth ball of the day turned sufficiently to beat Rachin Ravindra’s defence and trap him clean in front of the stumps, ending a vitally-important knock of 94.

The tourists were 180 for four at the break, adding just 60 runs in an attritional session as Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell (47no) ground out a stand of 129, despite some wicked variations in bounce.

England’s fourth innings chase already looks a formidable one, with six wickets still to get.

Ben Stokes started from the Radcliffe Road End, tearing in for over an hour in an eight-over spell that saw some balls skip through low and others leap unexpectedly off a length.

Having already seen one skim under the toe of the bat, Mitchell copped a painful blow on the forearm as Stokes saw one spit dramatically back at him. But for all of the uncertainty, Stokes could not force the breakthrough.

Jofra Archer came closer to early success, Mitchell given lbw for 28, but DRS showed the ball was clearing the stumps.

There were just 26 runs in the first hour, the Kiwi batters content to keep England in the field and bide their time.

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They got their rewards as the scoreboard moved more freely in the lead up to lunch, Josh Tongue a more expensive option as he leaked a handful of boundaries.

Stokes tossed the ball to Bashir for a solitary over as the interval loomed and the gambit paid off, Ravindra staying deep in his crease as he misread the line.

Bashir’s celebrations were long and loud, suggesting England had not yet given up on the fight.

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