Riding on Sodhi’s marathon knock Blackcaps draw second Test, win series

Even unprecedented bizarre fielding positions could not help England clean up the lower order as resilient Kiwis fought out the last session to earn a brilliant draw on the fifth day of the Christchurch Test. Ish Sodhi’s unbeaten 56 off 168 balls and Neil Wagner (7 off 103 balls) like warriors stood right across England’s success path.

New Delhi: Even unprecedented bizarre fielding positions could not help England clean up the lower order as resilient Kiwis fought out the last session to earn a brilliant draw on the fifth day of the Christchurch Test. Ish Sodhi’s unbeaten 56 off 168 balls and Neil Wagner (7 off 103 balls) like warriors stood right across England’s success path.

Skipper Joe Root was on his knees at ‘suicide’ silly mid-off in hope that a bat-pad off Stuart Broad’s could earn his team a wicket. A total of eight players excluding the wicket-keeper surrounded the batsman when spinner Jack Leach was on attack. England tried everything on and off the cricket books but everything went in vain.

Finally England succumbed to the 201-minute marathon knock by leggie Ish Sodhi, losing the series 1-0 to the hosts after the drawn second Test.

Sodhi and Wanger with their astonishing rock solid 271-ball stand also helped the Kiwis secure their first series win against England at home since 1984.

Gutted England could only manage one of the four wickets required in the final session to end their away drought.

Tim Southee was awarded with the Man of the Match award while Trent Boult was adjourned Man of the Series.

Though on a brighter note players of both the teams will now be flying together to India for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

Tea Report

England removed a stubborn Tom Latham to close in on victory in the second Test at Christchurch today, with New Zealand 191 for six at tea on the final day.

However, they are racing the elements with clouds building on the horizon.

Stuart Broad took two wickets with the first two balls of the day to start a flow of dismissals, leaving New Zealand to pin their hopes on a stubborn Latham.

But after propping up the innings for nearly five hours, the opener was removed midway through the afternoon session for 83.

Colin de Grandhomme, required for the second time in the Test to park his natural quick-fire tendencies and graft away, was not out 27 with Ish Sodhi on 16.

New Zealand's remaining four wickets include Tim Southee who has a viral complaint and is said to be feverish, and any thoughts of reaching their formidable 382-run target have long gone.

A win to England would not only square the series but, importantly for their morale, would end a run of 12 winless Tests away from home.

Latham fought a lonely battle to keep New Zealand in the Test with his biggest partnership being 44 for the fifth wicket with BJ Watling who made 19.

While Latham played a near textbook innings, apart from a nick on 23 that was grounded by James Vince in the cordon, most of the other batsmen authored their own downfall.

Broad's first ball strayed down the leg side and Jeet Raval, resuming at 17 with New Zealand 42 for none, steered it to Mark Stoneman at midwicket.

With his next ball, Broad gave Kane Williamson a sighter outside the off stump but the New Zealand skipper decided to have a crack and the ball was edged to Jonny Bairstow behind the stumps.

It was the first golden duck for the New Zealand's star batsman playing in his 65th Test.

Ross Taylor avoided the hat-trick ball, was dropped on six by Vince and progressed to 13 when he saw Jack Leach place Alastair Cook at short backward leg and then promptly chipped the ball straight to him.

Cook moved to first slip to catch Henry Nicholls for 13 off James Anderson, and Anderson then fielded at short backward square to catch Watling when he swept at a loose Mark Wood delivery.

After two dropped catches, Vince finally pouched one to send Latham on his way with a diving effort at square leg off Leach.