Kane, Taylor thwart England, Kiwis win series

Hamilton, December 3

Centuries from Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor ensured New Zealand drew the rain-hit second Test against England here today, sealing a 1-0 series win.

The weather turned sour soon after lunch on the fifth day when New Zealand, having taken advantage of some sloppy fielding, were 241/2 in their second innings, 140 ahead with Taylor on 105 and Williamson on 104. England’s hopes of winning the Test were thwarted by their failure to break the 213-run partnership between Williamson and Taylor. With weather washing out two sessions, there was no possibility of a result. This ensured New Zealand took the series, having won the first Test by an innings.

Williamson brought up his 21st Test century with a four off Joe Root in the third over after lunch, while Taylor reached his 19th century with a flourish in Root’s next over when he smacked a four and two sixes off consecutive balls.

Brief Scores: New Zealand: 375 and 241/2 (Williamson 104*, Taylor 105*); England: 476 (Root 226, Burns 101, Pope 75, Wagner 5/124)

MCC’s Spirit of Cricket award

The New Zealand cricket team has been bestowed with the Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket award for its exemplary show of sportsmanship during the epic final of the ICC World Cup at Lord’s in July, which it lost under controversial circumstances. — Agencies