England chasing 455 to win second Test against New Zealand
Monday 1 June 2015 22:26, UK
England reached 44-0 in pursuit of 455 to win the second Test against a dominant New Zealand before rain brought an early end to play on day four at Headingley
The Black Caps, striving for a series-levelling victory, smashed 116 runs in 16 overs at a rate of 7.25 runs per over to swell their overnight 338-6 to 454-8 before declaring, leaving England a daunting target of 455.
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The highest successful run-chase in Test history remains the 418-7 racked up by West Indies against Australia in 2003 – emphasising the size of the challenge in front of Alastair Cook’s side.
Cook (18no) and Adam Lyth (24no) survived a tricky nine-over spell to make it to lunch before bad weather arrived four overs into the afternoon session, washing out the remainder of the day with England 411 runs away from an unlikely victory but bolstering their chances of earning a draw.
New Zealand bossed the opening 75 minutes of play as Mark Craig (58no off 77 balls) and Tim Southee (40 off just 24) went on the rampage after BJ Watling added 20 runs to his third-day century.
Watling got the ball rolling by whipping the fifth ball of the day from James Anderson for four, he and Craig easing to their 50-stand off 81 balls.
Anderson finally broke through in the second over with the first new ball after 52 runs had come off the first 10 overs, the seamer forcing Watling to fend off a spitting delivery to the slips, where Joe Root caught well to his right.
But rather than stem the runs, the dismissal sparked a flurry – 86 coming in the following 9.4 overs as England’s bowlers again struggled to bowl a consistent length and line.
Craig and Southee despatched the home attack to all parts as they added 67 runs in 8.4 overs as the fourth hundred of the innings came up off 120 balls.
Southee smashed three fours and a glorious straight six off one Stuart Broad over that cost 20 as the pair posted their fifty stand off 34 balls.
His enterprising knock came to an end straight after the drinks break when he struck Moeen Ali straight down the ground into the hands of Anderson.
There was just time for Henry to club three sixes off one Broad over before McCullum brought an end to the mayhem 43 minutes before lunch.
Cook and Adam Lyth, who shared a 177-run opening stand in the first innings, calmed English nerves by making it through to lunch unscathed and the Test was fascinatingly poised when the bad weather arrived.
Coverage of day five of the second Test between England and New Zealand continues on Sky Sports 2 at 10.30am on Tuesday and across our digital platforms.
