Monday, March 17, 2008

England win second Test against New Zealand by 126

England's two-year drought for touring test victories ended Monday when it beat New Zealand by 126runs to level the three-match cricket series 1-1.

England set up the win by scoring 342 after being sent in to bat, and bowled better with a rejuvenated attack to dismiss New Zealand for 198 and a 144-run first-innings lead.

It then built a 437-run advantage by scoring 293 in its second innings and dismissed New Zealand again for 311, ending the match shortly before lunch on the final day.

England made two key changes after its loss at Hamilton, dropping veteran fast bowlers Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard and recalling youngsters James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Anderson took five for 73 to wreck New Zealand's first innings and Broad complemented an attack in which Ryan Sidebottom was again the leading figure.

England took only 19.3 overs Monday to capture the last four New Zealand wickets, delayed by Brendon McCullum who made a defiant 85.

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