Cricket-England frustrate New Zealand bowlers as test heads for draw

Despite Burns' determined 132, England were bowled out for 275 on day four as New Zealand secured a first-innings lead of 103, with pace bowler Tim Southee taking a superb six wickets for 43 runs.


Reuters | Updated: 06-06-2021 21:04 IST | Created: 06-06-2021 21:04 IST
Cricket-England frustrate New Zealand bowlers as test heads for draw

England adopted a cautious approach to reach 56-2 at tea on Sunday after New Zealand set the hosts a target of 273 on the final day of the first test at Lord's.

After New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson declared their second innings at 169-6 at lunch, England openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley arrived at the crease focusing only on blunting the new-ball bowling attack in a bid to save the test match. The pair showed incredible patience in adding 49 runs by the 24th over before Burns (25) was caught in the slip cordon off Neil Wagner's bowling.

Zak Crawley's (2) stint at the crease did not last long as he dragged Tim Southee's outswinging delivery straight to gully. Sibley was unbeaten at 19 off 83 balls and was joined by skipper Joe Root before tea was called, with a draw the most likely outcome given the third day was washed out.

Earlier, New Zealand hoped to turn the result in their favour as they added to their overnight score of 62-2 with the loss of another four wickets before rain forced an early lunch. England debutant Ollie Robinson was once again lethal in his opening spell, picking off the first wicket of the morning session as New Zealand nightwatchman Wagner edged a bouncer through to wicketkeeper James Bracey.

The tourists continued to look for boundaries to give their bowlers a chance to fight for a win but lost wickets at regular intervals. Tom Latham was trapped leg-before on 36 by Stuart Broad before a flying Bracey caught Ross Taylor (33) off Mark Wood's bowling.

Henry Nicholls (23) was caught trying to reverse-sweep Joe Root's off-spin but not before New Zealand had added 97 crucial runs in the morning session. Despite Burns' determined 132, England were bowled out for 275 on day four as New Zealand secured a first-innings lead of 103, with pace bowler Tim Southee taking a superb six wickets for 43 runs.

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