Prior century denies NZ
A defiant, unbeaten century by Matt Prior saw England snatch an
unlikely draw in a dramatic end to the third Test Tuesday as a fired up
New Zealand attack were denied an historic victory by one wicket.
England were holding on by a thread at the close as Prior sought to
shield last man in Monty Panesar from the bowling for the last three
overs in a cliff-hanger finish to the Test and the series. At the close,
Prior was unbeaten on 110, his seventh Test century, and England were
315 for nine.
A despondent New Zealand were left wondering what the outcome would
have been had two regulation catches in the final over before lunch not
been dropped.
All three Tests ended in draws, denying New Zealand the chance of a
rare series win over England. They have only won three of 32 series
against the English and the last was in England in 1999.
New Zealand, with innings of 443 and 241 for six declared, batted
England out of the Test and the tourists were never serious about
chasing their 481-run second innings target.
Instead they faced a battle for survival and when they resumed the
final day at 90 for four the odds were heavily in New Zealand's favour.
At lunch, the Test still belonged to New Zealand with England at 158
for five and Joe Root gone for 29.
But there were signs of luck going England's way with Ian Bell and
Jonny Bairstow both surviving catch opportunities when New Zealand took
the second new ball just before lunch.
Bairstow was gone for six soon after play resumed but Bell made the
most of his opportunity as he and Prior put on 78 before he was removed
in the last over before tea and England were 237 for seven.
But luck stayed with Prior who beat two appeals for caught behind
that went to review on 18. On 20 he was dropped by Neil Wagner and on 28
the ball deflected off his helmet and on to the stumps but the bails did
not come off.
AFP
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