29/03Result
2nd Test, England tour of Australia and New Zealand at Christchurch, Mar 30-Apr 3 2018
Match drawn
Player of the Match
Tim Southee
Tim SoutheeNew Zealand
29/03Result
2nd Test, England tour of Australia and New Zealand at Christchurch, Mar 30-Apr 3 2018
Match drawn
Player of the Match
Tim Southee
Tim SoutheeNew Zealand

2.15pm: That's a pretty good cushion, you'd think. The highest score of the match to win? We've talked about how some pitches in NZ flatten out, but that is still going to be a helluva challenge. Assuming the rain/cloud cover doesn't take out too much time, there should be plenty of overs to achieve a result... It's on, like Donkey Kong!

"Showers in Hoon Hay, 4km Southwest of Hagley Oval," reports Nathan. However, it looks like it's clear enough for play to continue at the ground

"I like this aggressive declaration," says Liam. "NZ will think they're in with a sniff only having to score 380 at less than 3 an over, all 4 results are possible"

And that is the declaration! New Zealand have been set 382 for victory, or four and a half sessions to survive... but there's a bit of rain in the air unfortunately... hopefully the resumption won't be delayed. But over to Alan all the same.

106.4
W
Wagner to Bairstow, OUT, another bouncer, another slog across the line, takes a top-edge, plops into the hands of square leg!

JM Bairstow c Nicholls b Wagner 36 (83m 54b 5x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Joel H: "Interesting that there was talk about Leach not being selected because of his lack of batting ability. Seems to have more than held his own in both innings! " Very true

106.3
1
Wagner to Leach, 1 run, inside-edged defence into the leg side

Todd: "I can see it now. Root waits for a lead of 400, which takes another 10 overs from now. NZ now have only to bat for 125 overs. They do so, in blockathon mode. Root hangs his head." He can't win. Personally, I reckon 140-odd overs ought to be plenty time to force victory

106.2
0
Wagner to Leach, no run, stabbed into the leg side
106.1
1
Wagner to Bairstow, 1 run, full length, outside off, another languid drive into the covers

END OF OVER:
106 | 4 Runs | ENG: 350/8

  • Jack Leach13 (18b)
  • Jonny Bairstow35 (52b)
  • Tim Southee19-4-65-1
  • Trent Boult28-5-89-2
105.6
0
Southee to Leach, no run, through to the keeper on a wide line
105.5
0
Southee to Leach, no run, driven on the up, into the covers
105.4
4
Southee to Leach, FOUR, too short, too wide, biffed through backward point, to bring up the 350!
105.3
0
Southee to Leach, no run, very full, bursting through a loose drive
105.2
0
Southee to Leach, no run, on the back foot to defend
105.1
0
Southee to Leach, no run, an open-faced steer into the covers, looks like an easy single but Boult pounces brilliantly and forces Bairstow to scuttle back to his crease. In fact, a deflection off his bat probably saved him from a very tight call there

END OF OVER:
105 | 16 Runs | ENG: 346/8

  • Jonny Bairstow35 (52b)
  • Jack Leach9 (12b)
  • Trent Boult28-5-89-2
  • Tim Southee18-4-61-1
104.6
4
Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, battered through the covers! Not a bad ball at all, but Bairstow was committed to the front foot, and swung his hands lustily through the line. Sixteen off the over, and the lead is now 375
104.5
0
Boult to Bairstow, no run, an ambitious drive, not quite there for the stroke, but Bairstow is seeing it like a planet now.
104.4
4
Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, on the pads again, a roundhouse pull, and four more valuable runs! England are putting their foot down now
104.3
2
Boult to Bairstow, 2 runs, on the pads, that's sharp running, taking on the throw from fine leg and winning comfortably. He is seriously quick between the wickets
104.2
4
Boult to Bairstow, FOUR, flogged through midwicket! Short and straight, and Bairstow's forearm smash flies to the rope

There's a hint of rain in the air, I fear. The groundstaff are lurking

104.1
2
Boult to Bairstow, 2 runs, full face, punched hard down the ground

END OF OVER:
104 | 4 Runs | ENG: 330/8

  • Jonny Bairstow19 (46b)
  • Jack Leach9 (12b)
  • Tim Southee18-4-61-1
  • Trent Boult27-5-73-2
103.6
1
Southee to Bairstow, 1 run, flicked off the hip, this will be stone dead if the shy hits, but de Grandhomme misses! Leach wasn't in the frame
103.5
1
Southee to Leach, 1 run, punched off the back foot, in the air, and just out of the reach of Williamson in the gully!

AJ: "Speaking of infringements, where does Kane's frankly appalling use of DRS rate? There must be some sort of crime there, surely? It's for howlers by the Umpire, Kane, not ones by the keeper. "

103.4
0
Southee to Leach, no run, on the back foot, behind the line, punched to the off side
103.3
2
Southee to Leach, 2 runs, fuller length, but a hint of width, Leach punches hard through point off the back foot

Match Coverage

All Match News

New Zealand 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st42JA RavalTWM Latham
2nd0KS WilliamsonTWM Latham
3rd24LRPL TaylorTWM Latham
4th25TWM LathamHM Nicholls
5th44BJ WatlingTWM Latham
6th27C de GrandhommeTWM Latham
7th57C de GrandhommeIS Sodhi
8th37N WagnerIS Sodhi
9th?TG SoutheeIS Sodhi