New Zealand hold on for draw to win series

Christchurch : Tail-ender Ish Sodhi hit a gutsy half-century as New Zealand fought a defiant rearguard action on a tense final day to hold on for a draw in the second Test yesterday and secure a first series win over England since 1999.

Winners of the first Test in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs, New Zealand were 256 for eight when the umpires offered Sodhi the light, still 126 runs in arrears but with the all-important draw secure.

England made the perfect start to the final day when Stuart Broad claimed wickets with the first two deliveries but the tourists were unable to winkle out the final few batsmen as the fading light cast long shadows over Hagley Oval.

Opener Tom Latham scored 83 but it was spinner Sodhi’s 168-ball 56 not out that most frustrated England, who scored 307 in their first innings and 352/9 declared in the second after New Zealand’s first knock of 278.