Tuesday 3 April 2018 10:02, UK
England gave it their all on the final day in Christchurch but a stubborn rearguard action saw New Zealand hang on for a draw to clinch a 1-0 series win. Here's all you know to know...
England were denied in their quest for a first Test win of the winter, finishing two wickets short of forcing a victory in the final Test against New Zealand, who clung on to a 1-0 series win. , writes David Currie.
In an incredible display of resilience, New Zealand tailenders Ish Sodhi (56no off 168 balls) and Neil Wagner (seven off 103) survived the final 100 minutes of the day, before Wagner's wicket and bad light brought a thrilling Test to a close.
As the gloom descended, Wagner's long vigil was finally ended by Joe Root but with just minutes left before the scheduled close, he had one final card to play. A review.
England may have been appealing for lbw but even an inside edge did not save Wagner as it bounced up off his pad was snaffled by James Vince at short leg. The left-hander will have known he had no chance of overturning the decision but by reviewing he had used up an extra couple of minutes and by the time the wicket was confirmed the light had faded further.
Out came the umpire's light metres and with that came the end of the game, England coming up just short but Sodhi left to celebrate, raising his bat victorious after resisting everything the tourists could muster to see his side to an historic series win.
Joe Root, England captain: "We threw absolutely everything at New Zealand today, I'm very proud of the way we went about it as a group and a bowling unit. It was a fantastic effort with some great support as well on the bank, the Barmy Army were in full swing. Fair play to New Zealand, they hung on very well.
"Bar that first innings [in Auckland], it has been incredibly close. That has been probably the most frustrating thing as a side, we let ourselves down in that first innings and bar that we've played some good cricket. Especially in this game I think we've shown where we want to go as a side and what we're about."
Kane Williamson, New Zealand captain: "It was an amazing day of Test cricket. It was a really hard-fought series, there wasn't a lot in it and we were fortunate at times, especially in that first game. But for it to come down to a day of cricket like today was pretty special.
"We obviously didn't get off to the best start, the first couple of balls of the day certainly didn't go our way and we thought it could be a tough day but there was a lot of steel shown by the guys. Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner in the last session, it was a phenomenal effort."
Michael Atherton: "This is England's worst run away from home since just after the Second World War now without a Test victory, it comes down to an inability to take wickets with the Kookaburra ball on flatter pitches. It was highlighted to a lesser extent in this game because I think if catches had have been taken they would have taken 20 wickets.
"I thought actually the bowling attack served as a template for what England might use going forward with Mark Wood offering something a bit different and Jack Leach looking like he knows what he's about."
Thoroughly deserved praise for New Zealand but England away form remains a real concern...
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