Central Plains FFA Chapter

06/20 12:39 CDT New Zealand tightens grip at The Oval as England slumps to 182-5 chasing 463 New Zealand tightens grip at The Oval as England slumps to 182-5 chasing 463 By FOSTER NIUMATA Associated Press LONDON (AP) --- New Zealand was slowly but surely closing in on winning The Oval test after reducing England to 182-5 on Saturday in a doubtful fourth-innings chase of 463. England interim captain Joe Root was 75 not out at stumps on day four with debutant Jordan Cox beside him and yet to get off the mark. But even with Root, test cricket's second highest run-scorer in the middle, few gave England a chance of pulling off a miracle comeback. England came out after tea, already three wickets down for 54, to a spectator with a trumpet blowing the tune to "The Great Escape," the 1963 Steve McQueen war epic. And for a compelling 90 minutes England supporters could dream as Root and Harry Brook decided to go down fighting. ___ AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket