From James Anderson ripping through Australia, to Joe Root and Jos Buttler tons, day four fireworks have become frankly commonplace at Trent Bridge.

And although the fourth act of this dumfounding drama perhaps lacked a specific headline grabbing poster boy, it still didn’t half deliver the drama.

The salient facts are that New Zealand will enter day five with their second innings score on 224-7 – a lead of 238.

And with the host nation now playing their cricket at the sort of breakneck speed that the Kiwis have been committed to for years, it would take a brave predictor to write this compelling contest off as a definite draw.

Following an extraordinary day of counter-punching carnage on day three, England commenced their Monday’s work on 473/5 – handily placed to for the heady heights of going beyond their visitors’ record-breaking total of 553.

As it was, they fell 14 short – but it seemed to matter not – because the game was evolving at such pace.

Joe Root could only add a further 13 to his overnight 163 before becoming the fourth victim of five for the impressive Trent Boult.

Ben Foakes fairly raced from 24 to 56 before he was run out. And, although the bottom order offered ample intent, the runs failed to flow – off-spinner Michael Bracewell snaring three wickets with England all out for 539.

When Tom Latham (4) left a straight one from James Anderson early in the reply, hopes were springing eternal of a Kiwi collapse and a quickfire quest for England glory.

In reality, it was never going to be thus.

Devon Conway (52) and Will Young (56) combined in a second wicket stand of 98, but the order this brought to proceedings proved short lived.

Conway, who had reversed Jack Leach with distinction on three occasions prior, was inexplicably caught attempting a conventional sweep.

From there, the atmosphere became frenzied, the Kiwi’s cool heads deserted them and wickets continued to tumble.

Will Young (56) and Tim Southee (0) were remarkably run out. Matty Potts and Stuart Broad bowled with fire and hostility to share three evening session scalps.

With their endeavours came fresh optimism that England can win this game. They could lose it too – or bat out a draw.

And, with that, we herald the prospect of final day drama.