New Zealand completed their unfinished business that was due from five years back on this day in 2018.
In 2013, New Zealand and England faced each other at Auckland for the third test from 22nd to 26th March. The series was 0-0 with both the teams dominated one of the previous two tests. New Zealand almost got the victory on day five when they got England seven down by tea while chasing 481. But England survived; thanks to Matt Prior who scored an unbeaten 110. He batted for four hours on the final day after top-scoring with 79 in the first innings. Among others Stuart Broad scored a 137-minute six and Monty Panesar, the number 11 survived for last 20 intense minutes of the match. For New Zealand, Peter Fulton’s dual century and Trent Boult’s first innings six-wickets haul went in vain as they missed a golden opportunity to get a series win against a top side in six years.
Interestingly, five years later at the same venue New Zealand and England faced each other. This time it was the first test of the series and a Day/Night affair with the pink ball. England was blown out by the lethal duo of Boult and Southee and was all out for 58 runs in less than 21 overs. At one stage they were 23 for eight and Kiwi bowlers had the chance to transfer the dubious record of the lowest team total in tests from New Zealand to England. However, Craig Overton scored 33 batting at number nine and contributed almost 58 percent of the total which included five ducks.
Despite heavily rain-affected day two and three, New Zealand put enough score on board. The credit goes to Kane Williamson’s record 18th hundred and Henry Nicholls' unbeaten 145. England fared much better in their second innings with contributions from the top and middle order. On day five, at 300 for six looked like they would manage to save this test match as well. However, Neil Wagner and spinner Todd Astle ensured a victory for New Zealand. New Zealand went on to win the series 1-0 as the second test ended in a draw.
Read Also
