JOE ROOT was dismissed from the final ball of the day as England’s hopes of saving the First Test received a shattering blow.
England’s captain needed treatment in the last over after being struck on the hand by a short ball from Trent Boult.
Then, to the very next delivery, he fenced at another bouncer angled towards his body and gloved a catch to wicketkeeper B.J.Watling.
Root had been doing his best to take personal responsibility for restoring some credibility to England’s batting after their first innings humiliation.
But his departure means England have an uphill struggle to escape with a draw.
They finished day four with 132-3 – still 237 runs short of forcing New Zealand to bat again.
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The eyes of the cricketing world were on the Aussies’ ball-tampering in Cape Town – and certain England players inwardly chuckled that Steve Smith’s team had been rumbled as cheats.
But Root and Co had a Test match to save and some reputations to restore. They needed to be fully focused.
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It did not look promising when ex-captain Alastair Cook failed for the second time in the match, strangled down the legside off Boult for just two.
But Root, promoted to No.3 in this match and coming off a first innings duck, and Mark Stoneman put on 88 for the second wicket.
Surrey opener Stoneman fell for a sucker punch. He hooked a Neil Wagner for six to reach his fifty but then, to the very next ball, attempted to repeat the shot and holed out to fine leg. Careless in the extreme.
Root reached his 38th fifty in Test cricket – he also has 13 centuries – from 121 balls but he will not be around to help England on the final day. Dawid Malan will resume 19 not out.
Earlier, gritty left-hander Henry Nicholls completed his second Test century as New Zealand extended their first innings total to 427-8 declared.
It was astonishing how comfortable the Kiwis found batting after England had been routed for 58 all out on the opening day.
Even though days two and three were all-but washed out, the Blackcaps could still take their time building a massive lead.
Nicholls was the anchor while most of the middle and lower-order also made useful contributions.
The old guard of James Anderson and Stuart Broad were England’s most successful bowlers with three wickets apiece.
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