England bowled out New Zealand for 431 soon after lunch on day five in Napier to win the third Test by 121 runs. The series therefore finished 2-1 in England’s favour.
Monty Panesar finished with 6-126 as wickets fell steadily throughout the first session. At lunch the Kiwis were on 360-9, with only debutant Tim Southee and bowler’s friend Chris Martin left to bat. What happened next was extraordinary entertainment.
Southee, who looked about as good as Martin with the bat in the first innings, went ballistic – he finished with 77 not out off just 40 balls, hitting 9 sixes and messing up Panesar’s figures in the process. Eventually, and fittingly, Sidebottom returned and managed to bowl a straight one at Martin to end the fun.
England cricket skipper Michael Vaughan was pleased with the win, but refused to get too carried away, saying:- ” We shouldn’t get too excited because we’ve got lots to do before we can be confident of taking on the big boys. We’re delighted to nick the series – we deserved it – and there were signs that we can be a hard team to beat.”
Congratulations to England for turning the series around.
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