2nd Test: England win by 6 Wickets

New Zealand messed up their batting in the second innings, which resulted in England leading the series 1-0. After deciding to bat first, though New Zealand struggled losing 4 wickets for 123 runs. Taylor's briliant 154 helped New Zealand to post a decent total on the board. Mill's added 57 to his part and took New Zealand to 381.

England's first innings was not that great. The first four players 135 runs in total and then no one touched double digit except Broad, who scored a decent 30. Vettori picked 5 wickets. England were all out for 202 giving 179 runs lead to New Zealand.

Read here for 1st Test Results!

With the lead of 179 in hand, any team would have tried to add another 200 to 250 and put pressure on the last innings. But, wonderful bowling by Panesar helped England bundle the New Zealand for 114. Panesar picked 6 wickets giving away 37 runs in his 17 over spell which had 5 maiden overs and giveen as the man of the match. JM How was the top scorer for New Zealand with 29.

Chasing 294, England should thank Strauss this time for leading the fight with a wonderful century. The jouney was easy for them and target never looked dangerous. He was supported well by skipper Vaughan (48), Pietersen (42).

Test: 2
Venue: Oldtrafford, Manchester, England
Teams: England and New Zealand
Captains: Michael Vaughan and Daniel Vettori
Toss: New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat
Match Result: England won by 6 wickets
Series Result: 1-0 (England leading the series; first test drawn)
Man of the Match: MS Paensar off England
Score:

New Zealand 1st Innings 381 all out in 90.3 overs (JM How 64, AJ Redmond 28, LRPL Taylor 154, JDP Oram 38, KD Mills 57, RJ Sidebottom 2 for 86, JM Anderson 4 for 118)

England 1st Innings 202 all out in 83.3 overs (AJ Strauss 60, MP Vaughan 30, KP Pietersen 26, SCJ Broad 30, KD Mills 2 for 38, IE O'Brien 3 for 49, DL Vettori 5 for 66)

New Zealand 2nd Innings (lead by 179 runs) 114 all out in 41.2 overs (JM How 29, JAH Marshall 28, RJ Sidebottom 2 for 26, MS Panesar 6 for 37)

lost to England 2nd Innings (target 294 runs) (AJ Strauss 106, AN Cook 28, MP Vaughan 48, KP Pietersen 42)

Read here for 1st Test Results!

Strauss Take England to 1-0 Lead!

Struass century in the 2nd innings gave a victory to England in the 2nd test. Chasing a target of 294, Strauss played sensibly and scored a brilliant century off 186 balls with 12 fours. Skipper Vaughan scored an useful 48 and Kevin Pietersen scored 42. The second wicket partnership of 90 runs between Strauss and Vaughan proved vital for England. Third wicket partnership of 85 also added problems to New Zealand as they were not able to break the partnership.

Panesar who captured 6 wickets in the 2nd innings declard man of the match.

England is leading three match series 1-0 with the first test drawn.

Score:
Test: 2
Teams: England and New Zealand
Captains: MP Vaughan and DL Vettori
Toss: New Zealand won the toss and decide to bat
Result: England won by 6 wickets
Series Result: England leading by 1-0
Man of the Match: MS Panesar off England

New Zealand 1st Innings 381 all out in 90.3 overs (JM How 64, AJ Redmond 28, LRPL Taylor 154, JDP Oram 38, KD Mills 57, RJ Sidebottom 2 for 86, JM Anderson 4 for 118)

England 1st Innings 202 all out 83.3 overs (AJ Strauss 60, MP Vaughan 30, KP Pietersen 26, SCJ Broad 30, KD Mills 2 for 38, IE O'Brien 3 for 49, DL Vettori 5 for 66)

New Zealand 2nd Innings 114 all out in 41.2 overs (JM How 29, JAH Marshall 28, RJ Sidebottom 2 for 26, MS Panesar 6 for 37)

England 2nd Innings (target 294 runs) 294 for 4 in 88 overs (AJ Strauss 106, AN Cook 28, MP Vaughan 48, KP Pietersen 42)

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)

England need 5 wickets to Win Series!

Resuming the Day 4 at 416 for 5 with a over all lead of 501, England delcared their 2nd innings at 467 with the target of 553 to win. Strauss was out on 177 and Ambrose was out for 31.

New Zealand were 222 for 5 at the end of Day 4 in the allotted 82 overs. They have to play the full quota of 90 overs or score 331 runs. Bell and Fleming were playing well and scored their half-century. They both added 99 runs for the 2nd wicket when the partnership was broken by Panesar. Soon Fleming followed him, out for 66 off Panesar. Broad picked 2 wickets and Panesar 3 wickets.

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 (553 to win) 222 for 5 in 82 overs at the end of Day 4 (Bell 69, Fleming 66, Taylor 34 batting, Broad 2 for 40, Panesar 3 for 49)