New Zealand win in Bristol to level the series
June 21, 2008
New Zealand (182 all out) beat England (160 all out) by 22 runs.
England’s batsmen failed to chase a seemingly regulation total on a bouncy Bristol wicket as the Natwest series was levelled at 1-1 this afternoon. Paul Collingwood was clearly disappointed that his side, with a good batting line up, couldn’t knock off the 182 the tourists set, with none of his players managing a half century. It was Collingwood’s 34 that ended up as England’s top score, and when he was the 8th man out with the team still needing 30 more, the game was gone.
New Zealand really shouldn’t have been allowed to set 182 after their top order capitulated in typical fashion on this tour. Brendon McCullum (17) once again failed to fire and the Kiwis were 49 for 5 after How, Styris, Taylor and then Flynn departed without much resistance- only Jamie How scraping to double figures. The black caps keeper Flynn then headed back to the pavilion, and it only took a determined and stubborn partnership between Grant Elliott (56) and firstly Vettori (18), and then the more extravagant Kyle Mills (47).
Mill’s big hitting, including five 4’s and two 6’s from 40 balls, gave his side hope and he was last man out from the last ball.
Earlier, Stuart Broad had bowled superbly, extracting plenty of bounce and enough movement to take 2 wickets and only concede 14 runs from his 10 overs. Chris Tremlett (2-24) was also excellent, with his 6″7 height suited for the pitch conditions. But New Zealand dug in, weathered the storm, batted their full allocation of overs and set up a decent total in the circumstances at an overcast Bristol. Some of the batting may not have been pretty or elaborate, and at times a tad slow for the supporters liking, but it worked.
England also got off to a dreadful start. Luke Wright was out in the first over, and the prize wicket of Pietersen followed swiftly after. Ian Bell’s dismissal for 20 signalled an almighty collapse as England slumped from 62-2 to 64-6. Owais Shah and Tim Ambrose were both snuffed out for ducks and Ravi Bopara was caught for 27, all to the improving Tim Southee, who finished with 4-38.
After that, the rest of the bowlers all chipped in, and only resistance from captain Collingwood and Graeme Swann (29) threatened to swing the game England’s way. Vettori was briefly worried, but brought back his front line bowlers, and the game was won. Kyle Mills was given the man of the match award for his powerful knock and 2 wickets, but plenty of credit will also go to Elliott, who showed plenty of grit in his innings. Jack Russell pointed out on commentary that England’s long bating line-up may have resulted in the players not taking individual responsibility. Certainly a valid point- though New Zealand, and in particular the youngster Southee, bowled with great purpose and intelligence.
This result is good for the series. It means England certainly wont be complacent and it gives the selectors one or two selection issues going into the next few games- maybe to include Mascaraenhas and Ryan Sidebottom (who is suffering from a mild back problem). The crowd at the Oval this Wednesday will also know that the next game is pivotal in terms of who can win the series - so the atmosphere should be excellent.
The New Zealanders finally have some confidence after a tour that has seen them being dominated over long passages of play and Vettori looked a relieved man at the close.
Play begins at 10.45 this Wednesday.
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