Kiwis Blow England Away to Draw Series

New Zealand were able to seize their advantage on the final day by bowling England out to win by 199 runs and was able to draw the two match series 1-1.

Brendan McCullum finished the happier of the two captains

The momentum between the two teams has swung various times throughout the succinct and frenetic series. After a thrilling victory at Lord's in the First Test, England seemed to be in the ascendancy when Alastair Cook won the toss and inserted New Zealand on a green seaming wicket. 

The crowd celebrate Anderson's 400th Test wicket

James Anderson had the Kiwis reeling at 2-2 when he had both Martin Guptil and Kane Williamson out for a duck. In doing so, the Burnley-born bowler became the eighth fast bowler in Test Cricket to pass 400 wickets.

The Kiwis responded by pushing themselves off the ropes and counter attacked by rattling on at almost five runs an over. 

Tom Latham was the constant in the top order as he saw his first five partners depart before New Zealand had reached 15. England would have hoped to have bowled the Kiwis out for less than 200 but Latham (84) was able to build a 120-run partnership with debutant Luke Ronchi who romped to 88 off 70 balls.

Stuart Broad was able to build on his success from pitching the ball up in the First Test and was able to get 5/109 off 17 overs but England were left frustrated as the Kiwi tail wagged. The final three wickets put on 85 runs thanks to Mark Craig (41 not out) and New Zealand were bowled out for 350 in just 72.1 overs.

Alistair Cook became the leading English Test run scorer

England were able to take advantage of better batting conditions on Day Two and Cook and Adam Lyth made an opening stand of 177 runs. Cook was able to pass the all time English Test top scorer of his mentor and coach, Graham Gooch before being given out LBW for 75.

Adam Lyth scores his maiden Test century at his home ground of Headingley

Lyth was able to build on his promise from last year's county season by scoring a maiden century at his home ground of Headingley. He had got his team in the strong position of 215-1 and England must have been envisaging a total of 500+ until Lyth (107) was called for a suicidal run by Gary Ballance.

This started a collapse that saw England lose seven wickets for 52 runs towards the end of Day Two. A hard, new ball was in the hands of Tim Southee and he was able to extract swing and seam under the floodlights of a gloomy early evening in Leeds.

New Zealand got themselves back into the match with the second new ball

Southee finished with figures of 4/83 off 30 overs but Broad was able to bring the scores level on the morning of Day Three until he became the last man out when he was bowled for 46.

New Zealand began their second innings looking to set a formidable total but their progress was checked by England who had them at 23/2 and then 141/4 when Guptil was out for 70 off 72 balls.

Brendan McCullum and BJ Walting were able to take the game from England once again with a 121-run partnership. Skipper McCullum got a circumspect 55 and his side had the initiative at 368/7 when Watling was eventually out for 120. The Kiwis then put on another 86 runs until McCullum called his players in for a declaration which set England 455 runs to win.

The Yorkshire weather had curtailed the first day and hopes of a frenetic England run chase were curtailed when the rain returned half way through Day Four. The rain was replaced with wind on Day Five but it was New Zealand who blew away England's defences.

Kane Williamson took 3/

England's openers had made a steady platform but a combination of spin bowling on a turning fifth day pitch and poor shot selection saw the top order stumble to 62-4. The only English resistance came from Cook (56) and Jos Buttler (73) and it was the wicketkeeper who was the final wicket to fall with 19.1 overs left in the match.

England's fifth day capitulation is disappointing but nothing should be taken away from a New Zealand team who have thoroughly deserved something out of this series due to their enterprising and aggressive form of cricket in which they won their first Test Match in England for 16 years.

It is a shame we are denied a final match decider with the series being originally planned as a warm-up for the Ashes series to come. Hopefully a future New Zealand tour of England won't be during an Ashes summer and the contest would be at least three matches long.

Mark Wood has justified his selection and should play in the Ashes

Although short, the series was able to answer a few questions posed at the beginning of the series and also poses others.

Alistair Cook was named England's Man of the Series 

Cook continues to improve in form as he passed 9,000 career Test runs, Stokes has proved to be a potent threat, Lyth and Wood have seized their chances whilst Broad has begun to take note of Anderson and is now bowling fuller.

Ian Bell is slow to react as an edge from Tim Southee flies threw the slips

The causes for concern for incoming coach, Trevor Bayliss, will be the woeful form of Ballance and Ian Bell, the lack of control from Moeen Ali's bowling and the dropped catches in the slip cordon.

Ballance's awkward foot work has resembled French Cricket

Ballance's foot work has been none existent whilst Bell has been tentative and he was unable to avoid the trap set at leg slip in the second innings at Headingley. Both have been guilty of being unbalanced as they stood up to attempt catches in the slips and the lack of communication between the slip fielders was further highlighted by New Zealand's exemplary fielding.

Ian Bell disappointing form continues with a top score of 29

Both batsmen will now go away to their counties and they will need to find some form before the Ashes begins. Ballance usually bats in the middle order for Yorkshire and England may be best suited by promoting Bell to three, Root at four and Ballance at five.

Moeen Ali has been rested from the upcoming ODI series to work on his game

Ali has shown that he is not a front line spinner and Rashid deserves a chance in the side. He will be able to stake a claim for a Test place in the upcoming five match One Day International (ODI) tournament against the Kiwis.

Broad and Anderson are amongst five players axed from ODI squad

England's Director of Cricket, Andrew Strauss, had spoken of different sides for the Test and ODI teams and the squad for the ODI series with New Zealand only contains four players who took part in the Test series. The omission of Anderson, Broad and Bell all but confirms the end of their ODI career.

The selectors will be hoping for players out of nick to improve on the county circuit whilst a successful ODI series will see others looking to put their hand up against the Aussies who await in just over five weeks time. 

Stoking the Fires of Victory

England have a new hero to challenge the Aussies after Ben Stokes powered his side to an 124-run victory against New Zealand at the First Test at Lords.

The Durham all-rounder had made a memorable start to his Test career back in 2014 when he scored a maiden Test century against the Australians at Perth and his pivotal influence at Lord's will make the Aussies sit up and notice once again.

Much of the build-up for the first Test of the English summer had been consumed with Andrew Strauss refusing to select Kevin Pietersen and the continued search for a new coach.

Recent form made New Zealand the Test Series favorites

A lackluster tour to the West Indies, coupled with the fact that they were facing a New Zealand team ranked Number Three in the world and fresh from a World Cup final, made England the underdogs at the beginning of the two-Test Series.

Test debuts were awarded to opener, Adam Lyth, and bowler, Mark Wood, and the match started dubiously for England after they lost the toss on a green seaming wicket and were restricted to 30-4.

Root and Stokes 161-run partnership rescued England's first innings

Ben Stokes came together with Joe Root and they both counter-attacked with a 161-run partnership to rescue a first innings total.

Stokes finished eight runs short of a century and Root (98) also departed in the nervous 90s.

Buttler (67) and Moeen Ali (58) also put together a 100-run partnership before Buttler fell at the end of a hectic first day.

England were able to put on 35 runs at the start of Day Two before being bowled out for 389, which was at least 50 runs short of a challenging first innings total. Trent Boult was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers with 4/79.

England wicket keeper Jos Buttler takes a superb diving catch off Taylor 

The total certainly didn't look challenging when New Zealand were 148/0 but the two quick wickets of Martin Guptil (70) and Tom Latham (59) brought Ross Taylor to the wicket. Taylor seemed to be hampered by injury but ably assisted Kane Willamson to a 189-run partnership before getting out for 62 when he was superbly caught down the leg side by Buttler.

Williamson's knock of 132 comes to an end as he is caught at short leg

New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum (42) nudged his team ahead of England and Williamson departed for 132. Wicket-keeper, BJ Watling, played with the tail for an unbeaten 61 as his team were bowled out for 523 and were 134 runs ahead.

Bell's miserable game totaled 30 runs from two knocks and two dropped catches

England's bowlers rued missed chances as Mark Wood was denied his first England wicket when he over stepped on the front foot and was penalised for a no-ball. Ian Bell dropped two catches at second slip off Stokes in what would be a forgetful game for the Warwickshire batsman.

The wickets were eventually shared around with three-apiece for Stuart Broad, Wood and Ali.

Debutant Adam Lyth is caught at slip after a flurry of boundaries

England's response didn't start well as Lyth's unlucky first innings dismissal was followed by him fishing outside off stump and edging to the slip cordon for 12. Ballance was unable to recreate his form in the Caribbean as he was out for a duck to go with his single-run score in the first innings. 

Bell was able to improve on his single run in the first innings but was dismissed on the third ball of the third day for 29.

Cook continued to play with more fluency and was ably assisted by Joe Root (84) for a 158-run partnership which brought England a slight lead of 98.

Certain players can take the game away from the opposition in a single session and can bring the fans flocking to the stands. Ben Stokes did just that on Sunday afternoon.

Captain Cook congratulates Stokes on his historic century

Cook watched on in admiration as Stokes took on the Kiwis, specifically Tim Southee, when he cut, pulled, hooked and drove the bowler around the ground. Stokes' willingness to take on the opposition endeared him to the Lords' faithful and he became the quickest player to reach a Test Match Hundred at the Home of Cricket, taking just 85 balls to reach three figures.

Stokes' aggressive stroke play has earned him many fans

England over the past 18 months have earned a reputation of being aloof from the public, with a lack of players that the casual viewer can identify with. The modern game craves entertainment value that an Andy Flintoff or a Kevin Pietersen could bring and it seems Stokes is the man to inherit the 'box-office' tag.

Cook return to form is complete as he scored his second century in two games

The momentum had firmly shifted in England's favour when Stokes was out for 101 and Cook brought up his 150 before Buttler was out for 14 with England having a lead of 292 going into the final day.

Thoughts of a declaration quickly disappeared as New Zealand wrapped up the English innings within the first hour of the day. Cook (162) and Ali (43) soon fell and England were bowled out for 478 to set the Kiwis 345 runs to win with 77 overs left in the day.

Lower ticket prices brought 20,000 spectators into Lord's for the final day

England's quest to win started in the best possible way as James Anderson and Broad got the openers out for ducks to leave the Kiwis 0-2. Taylor (12) soon departed to leave New Zealand 12-3.

Stokes was unlucky to be wicketless in the first innings but produced a spell which turned the game in England's favour once again. He had Williamson caught at slip for 27 and then produced a beautiful delivery which nipped back, cramped McCullum for room and bowled the Kiwi skipper for a golden duck.

Stokes was on a hat-trick but the 20,000 fans packed in to Lords (following a cut in ticket prices) couldn't will their hero to get another wicket from the next ball.

Wood impressed on debut and opened the door to the Kiwi tail

New Zealand seemed to be digging in for the draw with Watling (59) and Corey Anderson sharing an 107-run partnership but Cook remained patient and Wood was able to nip one away from Watling who couldn't avoid gloving a ball which reared towards his helmet.

Cook's bowling changes worked again when Root got Anderson out LBW for 67. England could now sense victory and Stokes bowled Mark Craig for 4.

Ali bowled the next ball from the other end and instantly got the wicket of Southee (20) after he was caught and bowled by the spinner.

Anderson still awaits his 400th Test Wicket

The match entered its final hour with England needing one last wicket and Cook continued to rotate his bowlers. Anderson was unable to claim his 400 Test Wicket when the ball flew through a vacant wide slip position. Cook looked to plug the gap by moving Stokes from point but the ball then flew in the air where Stokes had been the ball before.

Ali's team mates rush to celebrate his catch on the boundary

New Zealand had 58 balls remaining to survive when Broad looked to cut the angle by going around the wicket to Boult who steered the ball over the slips and down to third man. His shot got a top edge and Ali came round to take a fantastic catch by the boundary to seal the win.

Cook must be relieved to finally put the Kevin Pietersen saga to bed

The character England have shown in this game has been refreshing and Stokes attitude is much needed in a team that has too often avoided taking the initiative in the past 18 months.

New Zealand have often had the advantage in this match but have been overcome by a battling England side. The two teams, although with contrasting players, are quite evenly matched and McCullum will have to try and rally his team before the final match of the series begins on Friday at Headingley.

The England team celebrate a well-earned victory

England have won a well-earned victory but there are still improvements to be made including missed catches and Bell's lack of form.

Australian Trevor Bayliss is set to become the next England coach

The day also included the news that Trevor Bayliss is the preferred candidate to become England head coach. The coaching partnership of Bayliss and current caretaker, Paul Fairbrace, took Sri Lanka to the World Cup final and it remains to be seen whether they can bring further success to the England team.