5th ODI: New Zealand Wins the Match and Series!

Good news for New Zealander! Though they have lost the test series, they have won the one-day series 3-1 with one match abandoned due to rain. They beat England very comfortably by 51 runs margin. With Collingwood not available due to his 4 ODI ban, they were short by an all-rounder.

Match: 5th ODI
Venue: Lord's, London
Date: June 28, 2008
Teams: England and New Zealand
Captains: Kevin Pietersen and Daniel Vettori
Toss: England won the toss and decided to field
Result: New Zealand won by 51 runs
Series: New Zealand won the series 4-1 with one match abandoned
Man of the Match: SB Styris of New Zealand
Man of the Match: TG Southee of New Zealand
Score:

New Zealand 266 for 5 in 50 overs (JM How 22, BB McCullum 23, LRPL Taylor 4, SB Styris 87 not out, DR Flynn 35, JDP Oram 52, GD Elliott 23 not out, Extras--20 (lb 13, w 7), RJ Sidebottom 10-0-52-0, JM Anderson 10-1-46-1, SCJ Broad 10-1-50-2, LJ Wright 6-0-36-0, GP Swann 10-0-33-2, RS Bopara 1-0-6-0, OA Shah 3-0-30-0) beat England 215 all out in 47.5 overs (IR Bell 27, AN Cook 24, KP Pietersen 6, RS Bopara 30, OA Shah 69, LJ Wright 6, TR Ambrose 2, GP Swann 12, SCJ Broad 5, RJ Sidebottom 10 not out, JM Anderson 2, Extras--22 (b 1, lb 10, w 10, nb 1), KD Mills 9-1-55-2, MR Gillesie 9.5-2-29-2, JDP Oram 6-0-22-0, TG Southee 9-0-49-3, DL Vettori 10-1-32-3, SB Styris 4-0-17-0)

Click here to read 1st ODI Result!

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Click here to read 3rd ODI Result!

Click here to read 4th ODI Result!

3rd Test: England Win Series in Style! Beat New Zeland by an Innings and 9 Runs!

In the third and final test of the series, New Zealand started with the final test with the hope to level the series. But, it went against them and they lost the series 2-0 with the 1st test drawn.

New Zealand won the toss and put England to bat. Though Vettori's team picked the first 5 top order wickets for 86, Pietersen played an innings of his life. Strauss (37), Cook (6), Vaughan (16), Bell (0), and Collingwood (0) failed miserably giving a bright chance to New Zealand.

But, Pietersen along with Ambrose built the innings slowly and steadily. They both added 161 runs for the 6th wicket. Pietersen got out caught behind of O'Brien for well made 115 off 223 balls with 14 fours. Ambrose fell after adding 15 to the England total. At this stage of the game, New Zealand still had a good chance with England struggling 262 for 7.

On could easily say that it is one of those matches were the bowling team did not put pressure on the tail enders or bwol on the right areas. Broad and Anderson added66 for the 7th wicket in which Broad scored an useful 64. Milis and O'Brien picked 3 and 4 wickets respectively. England finished their 1st innings at 364.

New Zealand batting struggled like England at the beginning losing 6 wickets for 93, but like England, they were not able to bounce back. How top scored with 40. Taylor (21) and Hopkins (15) were the other two digit scorers.

Anderson was in song. The similar dismissal of Redmond and McCullum were master piece. He pitched up and middle stump and left the batsman. Both of them missed the line and the off stump uprooted. He picked all the 6 wickets that fell at the end of Day 2.

On Day 3, Sidebottom picked a wicket and Broad picket 2. Anderson added one more to his tally to finish his figures at 7 for 43 in his 21.3 overs which had 8 maidens.

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England forced the follow on with a lead of 241 runs. New Zealand, though did a better job than the first innings, but could not make up the last 9 runs deficit to make England bat again.

McCullum scored 71 and Oram was not out on 50. Flynn scored 49. But all these were not enough to avoid the innings defeat. Sidebottom picked 6 wickets in the 2nd innings, Anderson and Broad picked 2 each.

Anderson was declared man of match; Strauss and Vettori were decalred joint winners of Man of the Series.

Test: 3
Venue: Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England
Teams: England and New Zealand
Captains: Michael Vaughan and Daniel Vettori
Toss: New Zealand won the toss and decided to field
Match Result: England won by an innings and 9 runs
Series Result: 2-0 (England won the series; first test drawn)
Man of the Match: JM Anderson off England
Man of the Series: AJ Strauss of England and Daniel Vettori of New Zealand
Score:

England 1st Innings 364 all out in 126.5 overs (AJ Strauss 37, KP Pietersen 115, TR Ambrose 67, SCJ Broad 64, JM Anderson 28, KD Mills 3 for 76, IE O'Brien 4 for 74)

New Zealand 1st Innings 123 all out in 46.3 overs (JM How 40, JM Anderson 7 for 43, SCJ Broad 2 for 10)

Beat New Zealand 2nd Innings (follow on--trail by 241 runs) 232 all out in 72.3 overs (BB McCullum 71, DR Flynn 49, JDP Oram 50 not out, RJ Sidebottom 6 for 67, JM Anderson 2 for 55, SCJ Borad 2 for 77)

Click here for 1st Test Results!

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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)

1st Test: England v. New Zealand: Ends in a Draw!

The first test between England and New Zealand played at Lords ended in a draw on the fifth day. Rain played the spoil sport for most of the time. The entire game saw only 284.1 overs all the five days put together as aginst the 444 overs leaving out the 6 overs for side change. There was a shortage of 160 overs which would have given a result.



Jacob Oram scored a quick fire century to help New Zealand go for a draw. Trailing by 42 runs in the 2nd innings, New Zealand were 269 for 6 when the play was called off. At one stage, they were struggling at 115 for 4, but the 137 run partnership betwen Oram and Flynn (and McCullum who got retired hurt) gave hope for New Zealand to go for a draw. He scored 101 in 121 balls with 15 fours and 2 sixes.



Click here for 2nd Test Results!

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Earlier, England Skipper Michael Vaughan scored a brilliant hundred to give a lead of 42 runs. He was the last batsman to get out for 106 off 214 balls with 11 fours. The 48-run partnership for the 8th wicket between Vaughan and Sidebottom helped them go past New Zealand's first innings score.

Flintoff did not play this test as he was injured.



Vettori was declared man of the match for his five wicket haul in the first innings.

The 3 test series is now has two more test matches to go with no result in the first match.

Test: 1
Venue: Lords, England
Teams: England and New Zealand
Captains: Michael Vaughan and Daniel Vettori
Toss: England won the toss and decided to field
Match Result: Drawn
Series Result: 0-0
Man of the Match: Daniel Vettori off New Zealand
Score:

New Zealand 1st Innings 277 all out in 86.2 overs (JAH Marshall 24, BB McCullum 97, JDP Oram 28, DL Vettori 48, RJ Sidebottom 4 for 55, JM Anderson 3 for 66, SCJ Broad 2 for 85)
England 1st Innings 319 all out in 111.3 overs (AJ Strauss 63, AN Cook 61, MP Vaughan 106, SCJ Broad 25, CS Martin 2 for 76, JDP Oram 2 for 45, DL Vettori 5 for 69)
New Zealand 2nd Innings (trail by 42 runs) 269 for 6 in 86.2 overs (JM How 68, DR Flynn 29 not out, JDP Oram 101, RJ Sidebottom 2 for 65, JM Anderson 2 for 64)

Click here for 2nd Test Results!

Click here for 3rd Test Results!

Rain Irritates England and New Zealand!

In the first test match between New Zealand and England played at Lords, rain halted play again on the third day.

Rain spoiled the sport in all the three days so far and is expected to rain again during the remaining two days.

After put into bat by England skipper Vaughan, New Zealand ended the day 1 at 208 for 6 in 52.1 overs. Rain spoiled the remaining 37.5 overs.

The remaining wickets were taken and New Zealand lost all the wickets afer lunch. They were all out for 277 with McCullum scoring 97 and skipper Vettori scoring 48.

England ended day 2 at 68 for no loss in 21.3 overs. Rain impacted another 35 overs on Day 2.

The third day saw just about 9 overs and rain took away the rest of the overs. Not sure how many overs will be bowled on 4th day. Only weather god knows it.

Short Score:

Toss: England won the toss and decided to field
Captain: Vettori and Vaughan
Score:
New Zealand 1st Innings 277 all out in 86.2 overs (JAH Marshall 24, BB McCullum 97, JDP Oram 28, DL Vettori 48, RJ Sidebottom 4 for 55, JM Anderson 3 for 66, SCJ Broad 2 for 85)
England 1st Innings 89 for no loss in 30.2 overs (AK Strauss 31 batting, AN Cook 53 batting)

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 on top in final test!

New Zealand in big deep trouble at the end of day 3. They have virtually lost the series and the test match, it is just a matter of time or rain that should save them from this big defeat!

Sidebottom's beautiful second and subsequent spells helped England to come back into the game. Day 2 was completely bowler's day which saw 15 wickets fall. Resuming the day 2 at 240 for 7, England lost the remaining 3 wickets for 13 runs and ended the first innings at 253.

New Zealand started the innings with high hope of taking a big lead and putting England in the back seat. England struck in the first over by sending Bell for a duck trapped in front of the wicket. How and the former skipper Fleming added 102 runs for the 2nd wicket and became a threat for England. Sidebottom struck again by pitching the ball up and had Fleming push the ball but edged to second slip. He was out for 59, the only scorer for New Zealand who passed 50. The next 8 wickets fell for 65 runs which was a complete shock to the New Zealand cricket lovers. Sidebottom rattled the New Zealand innings by picking wickets regularly and accompanied by Broad on the other end. The next to go was How. Sidebottom changed the angle and bowled round the wicket. How was made to drive the ball, which took the edge and went to first slip. Broad got Taylor for 2, and the next 3 wickets were picked by Sidebottom again.

This has to be Sidbottom's day and he was on top of the world. Skipper Vettori is the 3rd and final two digit scorer for NZ. He made 14 and was the last bastsman to get out. New Zealand was all out for 168 in 48.4 overs. Do you believe that they're bowled out in less than 50 overs.

With 85 runs ahead of New Zealand, England started the 2nd innings. They had to play 32 overs to complete the 2nd day. They lost two wickets and ended the day at 91. Cook and Vaughan were dismissed for 37 and 4 respectively.

Resuming day 3, both Pietersen was dismissed for 34 when the substitute field Ross Tylor stunned everyone by a brillant catch at first slip. When Pietersen tried to play it on the leg side off Vettori, the ball took the back of the bat and went to first slip. Taylor reacted quickly to grab it, who couldn't have seen the ball at all. England were 140 for 3 at that stage.

Strauss and Bell played sensibly and scored centuries to give England a very big lead. Strauss scored 173 and is still batting with Ambrose. He scored his 100 of 226 balls with 16 fours. Bell scored his century in 150 balls with 16 fours and 2 sixes. They both added 187 for the 4th wicket which really took the game away from NZ. Skipper tried everything to turn the game, but the day belong to England. The consolation came in the form of Bell's wicket, when he tried lot the ball and didn't get the elevation right. Collingwood's dismissal was a soft dismissal, a straight caught and bowled to Vettori.

When will England declare? Whether New Zealand can chase a big total in 2 days time? Whether they will play out all the 150+ overs they need to bat to make a draw?

Short Scores:

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 416 for 5 in 122 overs at the end of Day 3 (Cook 37, Strauss 173 batting, Pietersen 34, Bell 110, Ambrose 28 batting, Vettori 3 for 135)

England Finish Formalities - Series is levelled!

England finished the formalities on the 5th day levelling the series 1-1. Resuming at 242 for 6, New Zealand's chance of winning or playing out the 90 overs was almost impossible. As expected, England started by picking the wicket of skipper Vettori for a duck. He was caught by Cook off Sidebottom.

Mills accompanied McCullum and addd 24 for the 8th wicket. When Mills on 13, he was trapped in front of the wicket off Sidebottom. Gillespie was caught behind of Anderson for 9. The last batsman to get out was McCullum on 85. He played sensible cricket, but no one was there to give him company in the middle.

Sidebottom picked 5 wickets while Anderson and Broad picked two each. Ambrose was declared as player of the match.

Final Score:

Toss: New Zealand

Result: England won by 126 runs

Man of the Match: Ambrose (England)

England 1st Innings 342 in 107 overs (Cook 44, Vaughan 32, Pietersen 31, Collingwood 65, Ambrose 102, Mills 2 for 86, Gillespie 4 for 79, Oram 3 for 46)

New Zealand 1st Innings 198 in 57.5 overs (Fleming 34, Taylor 53, McCullum 25, Vettori 50 not out, Anderson 5 for 36, Collingwood 3 for 23)

England 2nd Innings 2943 in 97.4 overs (Cook 60, Strauss 44, Bell 41, Collingwood 59, Martin 2 for 77, Mills 2 for 59, Oram 3 for 44, Gillespie 2 for 63)

New Zealand 2nd Innings 438 to win - 311 in 100.3 overs (Bell 29, Fleming 31, Sinclair 39, Taylor 55, Oram 30, McCullum 85, Sidebottom 5 for 105, Anderson 2 for 57, Broad 2 for 62)

Final Score:

England need 4 wickets to win 2nd Test!

England has a bright chance of levelling the series against New Zealand. With a target 438 in almost 2 days to go and close to 174 overs of play, New Zealand lost the first wicket at 18 in the form of in-form batsman How. Bell fell for 29 caught behind off Broad. Fleming followed Bell in the same over for 31. The double blow in the same over put New Zealand in the back seat.

Sinclair and Taylor played sensibly and hit few good fours. Sinclair was caught by Bell off Anderson for 39 and he added 81 for the 4th wicket. Taylor was batting well and scored his first 50 off 65 balls with 8 fours. He failed to convert his 50 into an hundred. Sidebottom gave the breakthrough by sending Taylor to pavilion for 55.

Oram and McCullum added 69 runs for the 6th wicket. Just before the light was offered to the batsman, Oram was dismissed for 30 caught at gully by Pietersen off Sidebottom.

Sidebottom ended the day with 3 crucial wickets and broad picked 2. With one more day to, England requires 4 wickets and New Zealand either has to protect the day or score 196 runs. McCullum batting with 43 and skipper Vettori is along with him in zero.

Earlier, started the day at 277 for 9, England added 16 runs to the score and the last wicket was taken by Martin.

The score so far:

Toss: New Zealand
Result: Awaited
Man of the Match: Awaited
Score:
England 1st Innings 342 in 107 overs (Cook 44, Vaughan 32, Pietersen 31, Collingwood 65, Ambrose 102, Mills 2 for 86, Gillespie 4 for 79, Oram 3 for 46)
New Zealand 1st Innings 198 in 57.5 overs (Fleming 34, Taylor 53, McCullum 25, Vettori 50 not out, Anderson 5 for 36, Collingwood 3 for 23)
England 2nd Innings 2943 in 97.4 overs (Cook 60, Strauss 44, Bell 41, Collingwood 59, Martin 2 for 77, Mills 2 for 59, Oram 3 for 44, Gillespie 2 for 63)
New Zealand 2nd Innings 438 to win - 242 for 6 with one more day to go (Bell 29, Fleming 31, Sinclair 39, Taylor 55, Oram 30, McCullum 43 batting, Sidebottom 3 for 72, Broad 2 for 38)