New Zealand Frustrate England Before Rain Rolls In

New Zealand Frustrate England Before Rain Rolls In

File photo - Ross Taylor was unbeaten on 41 at the end of a severely shortened day four in Wellington

©REUTERS / Action Images

England 465 (Trott 121, Compton 100) v
New Zealand 254 & 162-2
Second Test, Wellington, day four
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two | Day Three
Report by John Pennington

England's hopes of making significant forward progress on day four of the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington were thwarted, first by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, and then the rain.

On a day in which just 35 overs of play were possible, England took one wicket before Williamson and Taylor put together an unbroken 81-run stand for the third wicket to close on 162 for two in their second innings.

New Zealand began proceedings on 77 for one and within four runs had lost Peter Fulton to James Anderson. Williamson then made an unbeaten 55 and Taylor 41 not out to frustrate England before the weather arrived to frustrate both teams.

Fulton was caught by Alastair Cook at slip for 45. He had faced 114 balls, hitting five fours and a six and was almost reprieved when replays showed Anderson was perilously close to bowling a no ball, but he had managed to get something behind the line.

That was as good as it got for England, who were thereafter repelled by Williamson, whose 55 came from 174 balls and Taylor, who made 41 in 90 deliveries.

England, thanks to centuries from Jonathan Trott (121) and Nick Compton (100) posted 465 in their first innings and Stuart Broad's six-wicket haul then forced New Zealand to follow on when they were bowled out for 254 in reply.

New Zealand go into the final day trailing by 49 runs.

The series is level at 0-0 after the opening Test in Dunedin was drawn.

© Cricket World 2013