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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Will Macpherson

Ben Foakes predicts thrilling second Test finale as England chase New Zealand

Ben Foakes believes there is a thrilling final day in store at Trent Bridge, and that with the likes of Ben Stokes in their ranks, England can chase “anything”.

Foakes scored 56 as England racked up 539 in their first innings, which took them to 14 behind New Zealand. They then picked up seven wickets to set up a grandstand finish.

Nottinghamshire CCC have thrown the gates open at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, offering free entry. New Zealand lead by 238 with three wickets left in hand, but are set to be without key fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who is injured. He will bat, but is unlikely to bowl.

"It's going to be a great day,” he said. “I think so much has happened so quickly this afternoon that now all three results are in are in play. It should be one hell of a day.

“It's almost like the Indian version of cricket where it's like 500 v 500 and then it all happens at the end. So I think it's it's a fantastic game and there's obviously taken a while to get here but tomorrow will be a great prospect.”

Asked how many England would be happy chasing, Foakes said: “[We want it to be] as little as possible. Realistically how fast it’s been scoring, under 300 you’d say would be quite doable if you bat really well. Some of the guys we have in the dressing room, like Stokesy, it could be anything really. You have no idea really.”

Foakes shared a big partnership with Joe Root at Lord’s to guide England to victory, and says he is desperate to be out there again.

"It’s obviously fantastic playing for England and that feeling walking off with Rooty, that’s the best feeling I’ve had in cricket,” he said. “Replicating that is something I want to do.”

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