Panesar, Broad bring England victory closer
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
NAPIER, Mar 25 (AFP): Monty Panesar took England to the brink of a series victory as New Zealand slumped to 222 for five, 330 runs in arrears at stumps on the fourth day of the third cricket Test here Tuesday.
With New Zealand set a record target of 553 to win, Stephen Fleming and Matthew Bell were providing stout resistance for the second wicket before Panesar removed both batsmen in the space of 12 deliveries.
Stuart Broad then carved through the middle order as New Zealand lost four wickets for 25 runs in the final session.
Ross Taylor was not out 34 and Brendon McCullum on 24 at stumps with Daniel Vettori the only recognised batsman left going into the final day.
Fleming and Bell both posted half centuries as they battled to save the Test for New Zealand with a 99-run stand for the second wicket.
But with the third ball after tea Panesar made the breakthrough, dismissing Bell for 69 when he gifted a straight forward catch to Broad at deep backward square.
Two overs later Fleming's acclaimed 111-Test career ended on 66 when he edged the spinner to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.
After Panesar removed Jamie How early in the New Zealand innings, Fleming and Bell moved the innings along with ease, showing the pitch was ripe for batting despite the high wicket count on the first three days.
Bell, batting for survival in the New Zealand squad after a disappointing series so far, brought up his fifth career 50 driving Ryan Sidebottom through cover for four.
When New Zealand went to tea at 146 for one their target was distant but still achievable.
Mathew Sinclair reached six before he was caught by Ambrose fending off a rising Broad delivery, and Grant Elliot was on four when he prodded Broad to Ian Bell at short leg.
Taylor and McCullum have put on 50 for the sixth wicket.
Taylor moving cautiously to 34 off 75 balls while the more flamboyant McCullum was on 24 from 38 deliveries, and was dropped by Kevin Pietersen in the gully off the first ball of the final over of the day.
England resumed their second innings on the fourth morning at 416 for five and with Andrew Strauss targeting a double century.
But he only lasted 11 balls before being caught at mid-off by Bell off the bowling of Jeetan Patel for 177, ending a marathon eight-hour innings in which he faced 343 balls and hit 25 fours.
Fellow overnight batsman Ambrose lasted three further overs before he was caught and bowled by Vettori for 28 and when the innings ended Broad was not out 31 with Ryan Sidebottom on 12.
Scores: New Zealand 168 and 222 for 5 (Bell 69, Fleming 66, Panesar 3-49) need another 331 runs to beat England 253 and 467 for 7 dec (Strauss 177, Bell 110).
With New Zealand set a record target of 553 to win, Stephen Fleming and Matthew Bell were providing stout resistance for the second wicket before Panesar removed both batsmen in the space of 12 deliveries.
Stuart Broad then carved through the middle order as New Zealand lost four wickets for 25 runs in the final session.
Ross Taylor was not out 34 and Brendon McCullum on 24 at stumps with Daniel Vettori the only recognised batsman left going into the final day.
Fleming and Bell both posted half centuries as they battled to save the Test for New Zealand with a 99-run stand for the second wicket.
But with the third ball after tea Panesar made the breakthrough, dismissing Bell for 69 when he gifted a straight forward catch to Broad at deep backward square.
Two overs later Fleming's acclaimed 111-Test career ended on 66 when he edged the spinner to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.
After Panesar removed Jamie How early in the New Zealand innings, Fleming and Bell moved the innings along with ease, showing the pitch was ripe for batting despite the high wicket count on the first three days.
Bell, batting for survival in the New Zealand squad after a disappointing series so far, brought up his fifth career 50 driving Ryan Sidebottom through cover for four.
When New Zealand went to tea at 146 for one their target was distant but still achievable.
Mathew Sinclair reached six before he was caught by Ambrose fending off a rising Broad delivery, and Grant Elliot was on four when he prodded Broad to Ian Bell at short leg.
Taylor and McCullum have put on 50 for the sixth wicket.
Taylor moving cautiously to 34 off 75 balls while the more flamboyant McCullum was on 24 from 38 deliveries, and was dropped by Kevin Pietersen in the gully off the first ball of the final over of the day.
England resumed their second innings on the fourth morning at 416 for five and with Andrew Strauss targeting a double century.
But he only lasted 11 balls before being caught at mid-off by Bell off the bowling of Jeetan Patel for 177, ending a marathon eight-hour innings in which he faced 343 balls and hit 25 fours.
Fellow overnight batsman Ambrose lasted three further overs before he was caught and bowled by Vettori for 28 and when the innings ended Broad was not out 31 with Ryan Sidebottom on 12.
Scores: New Zealand 168 and 222 for 5 (Bell 69, Fleming 66, Panesar 3-49) need another 331 runs to beat England 253 and 467 for 7 dec (Strauss 177, Bell 110).