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New Zealand vs England, 1st Test , England tour of New Zealand 2013

Date: March 6-10, 2013 |

Venue: University Oval, Dunedin |

England: 167-10 & 421-6 New Zealand: 460-9 decl

Commentary

That is all we have here. Join us in four days time for the second Test between New Zealand and England from the spiritual home of New Zealand cricket, the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Hop over to the game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Galle which is about to start now. Until then, Bye Bye!

Alastair Cook: 'It has been a good fightback from the team. However, I am confounded as to why we start so badly in a Test on a tour. Compton scoring a ton was special and I was pleasently surprised by the performance of Finn with the bat. Pietersen is fit and he will play the second Test at Wellington.'

Brendon McCullum: 'From the moment we stepped on the field and the moment we stepped off, we showed our character. Rutherford had a special match and everybody will remember his knock for a long time. We just could not finish the job. An extra day of Test cricket would have been great. It was a good game for us and we showed some positive signs. The bowlers will be given some rest ahead of Wellington. Wagner and Martin were superb with the ball.'

For New Zealand, the pitch turned out to be a slow and low belter. Southee, Wagner, Boult and Bruce Martin all bowled their hearts out but they could not find any assistance. Wagner was hostile while the rest of the bowlers kept asking questions to the England top order. In the end, it can be counted as a moral victory for NZ here in Dunedin but the overall picture is that England have managed to hang in for a draw. The presentation is in a short while.

The England batsmen showed a lot more character and application in the second innings. Cook and Compton notched up centuries but on the final day, Finn showed the world that he could bat. He notched up his first fifty and Trott chipped in with his 14th. Finn not only hung in but he also consumed a lot of deliveries which frustrated New Zealand no end.

It has been a wonderful fightback from England. After rain washed out the entire first day, England's batsman played some poor shots as they folded up for 167 om the second day. The stage was set for Hamish Rutherford to make a mark for himself. His brilliant century on debut, followed by half centuries from Fulton and McCullum, allowed NZ to declare on 460/9.

Drinks are on the field. The decision to declare a match the draw will be taken now. Brendon McCullum might very well take it as his bowlers have toiled very hard but to no avail. With the next Test just four days away, it might be a good idea to give them some extra rest. Here it is! The players are shaking hands and the Test is a draw.

169.6Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run, sharp bouncer darted in on the middle and leg stump, it rears up sharply on Bell as he looks to duck under it, he just about manages to do so

169.5Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run, short ball and this one is closer to the off stump, Bell rides the bounce and steers it to gully on the bounce

169.4Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run, short in length ball just outside off, Bell dabs it to point

169.3Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run, back of a length delivery and wide outside off, Bell does not play at it

169.2Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run

169.2Neil Wagner to Ian Bell

no run, fuller length ball angled in outside off, Bell shoulders arms