Dogged England salvage draw
A determined England batted through the final day to salvage a draw
from the first Test against New Zealand at the University Oval in
Dunedin on Sunday.
At stumps England were 421 for six, a lead of 128 runs, after facing
a 293-run deficit on the first innings in the rain-interrupted Test.
Despite the best efforts of England nightwatchman Steven Finn and New
Zealand quick Neil Wagner on the final day, an outright result was never
more than a remote possibility on the unresponsive wicket.
New Zealand saw a glimmer of hope in the first three overs after tea
when Finn was eventually removed after 203 minutes at the crease for 56
and Root quickly followed without scoring.
But Ian Bell, with an unbeaten 26, and Matt Prior not out 23 carried
England through to stumps without further loss and saw off the third new
ball in the process.
England resumed the day at 234 for one and added 31 before Nick
Compton fell for 117, trapped leg before wicket by a swinging delivery
from Wagner.
Compton's maiden Test century and his 231-run opening stand with
Alastair Cook (116) when England were fighting to save the Test may well
have secured his international career, which had been under the
microscope after his previous nine innings had produced a best score of
only 57.
Wagner, a late inclusion in the side when Doug Bracewell cut his
foot, staked a strong claim to be retained for the second Test after
finishing with figures of three for 141 to go with his four wicket bag
in the first innings.
In the session between lunch and tea the left-arm seamer claimed the
wickets of Jonathan Trott, caught and bowled for 52, and Kevin Pietersen
who was caught behind for 12.
As the senior batsmen came and went, nightwatchman Finn doggedly
pressed on to his maiden half-century, frustrating the New Zealand
bowlers as he played a straight bat to anything heading towards the
stumps.
He survived two tough chances, edging the ball towards the slip
cordon, and his 203 minutes at the crease included a 72-minute period
when he faced 50 dot balls before advancing from 53 to 54.
But having refrained from anything flashy for more than two sessions
Finn was undone immediately after tea when he attempted to play across
the line against Bruce Martin and was deemed leg before wicket.
Joe Root was briefly in the middle when he was called through for an
unnecessary single by Bell and was run out without scoring on a direct
hit from Tim Southee.
Bell and Prior then steered England safely through to stumps which
was called with a minimum 15 overs remaining in the day.
Although Wagner was the principal wicket taker for New Zealand, Trent
Boult was the most economical bowler with one for 49 from 35 overs and
Martin bowled 44 overs to take one for 90.
AFP |