England Wins Series!

Losing the first test and struggling at 0-1 in the test series, England bounced back beautifully to win the series 2-1. Their form has not been good in the recent past and this should givem them a good relief, especially winning the series abroad.

Monty Panesar took 6 for 126, his career best figures which helped England to win the test and the series. Sidebottom rocked in the first innings and Panesar did the same in the 2nd innings.

Resuming the day 222 for 5, England struck in the 9th over last ball. Taylor was catught by Collingwood for 74. McCullum was bowled in a gap of 3 over and became the 5th victim of Panesar.

A steady 48 run partnership didn't bother England too much because as they were already breaking partnerships often. Panesar removed Patel through a flight delivery which was swept fine but Broad dived and finished with a splendid catch. He was out for 18.

Vettori gave a simple catch to Ambrose and last batsman to be dismissed was Martin. Sidebottom uprooted the off-stump of Martin with that the wonderful series came to an end along with the Test Career of Stephen Fleming.

A positive for New Zealand was the few runs from Southee. In the first test, he took 5 wickets in the first innings and then scored 77 not out in the second innings. He provided good entertainment towards the end of the innings. He scored 77 off 40 balls with 4 fours and 9 sixes. He hit 5 sixes off Panesar including three sixes in the same over and 2 off Anderson.

Toss: England

Result: England won by 121 runs

Serires Result: England won the series 2-1

Player of the Match: Sidebottom (England)

Player of the Series: Sidebottom (England)

Short Score:

England 1st Innings: 253 all out in 96.1 overs (Pietersen 129, Collingwood 30, Broad 42, Martin 2 for 74, Southee 5 for 55, Patel 2 for 37)

New Zealand 1st Innings 168 all out in 48.4 overs (How 44, Fleming 59, Sidebottom 7 for 47, Broad 3 for 54)

England 2nd Innings 467 for 7 declared in 131.5 overs (Cook 37, Strauss 177, Pietersen 34, Bell 110, Ambrose 31, Broad 31 not out, Patel 2 for 104, Vettori 4 for 158)

New Zealand 2nd Innings 431 all out in 118.5 overs (Bell 69, Fleming 66, Taylor 74, McCulum 42, Vettori 43, Southee 77 Not Out, Broad 2 for 78, Panesar 6 for 126)