New Zealand’s No.9 batsman Ish Sodhi hit a gutsy half-century as the Black Caps fought a defiant rearguard action on a tense final day to hold on for a draw against England in the second Test Tuesday.
Winners of the first Test in Auckland by an innings and 49 runs, New Zealand were 256/8 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 dismiss the final few batsmen as the fading light cast long shadows over Hagley Oval.
Opener Tom Latham scored a gritty 83 but it was spinner Sodhi’s 168-ball 56 not out in partnerships with Colin de Grandhomme (45 off 97 balls) and then Neil Wagner (7 off 103 balls) that steered the Kiwis to their first Test series win over England since 1999.