Panesar spins England to series win in New Zealand

Published on Wednesday 26 March 2008 02:14

Southee provides late fireworks for Kiwis but can't stop tourists' first overseas Test success in three years

MONTY Panesar delivered a career-best performance as England completed a comprehensive 121-run victory over New Zealand to end a three-year wait for an overseas Test series win.

The left-arm spinner claimed six for 126 as New Zealand were finally dismissed for 431 shortly after lunch on the final day of the third Test after being set an unlikely victory target of 553.

England's victory parade was briefly held up by Kiwi debutant Tim Southee, who delighted the crowd with a whirlwind 40-ball 77 not out at the end.

Panesar's figures eclipsed his previous Test best of six for 129 against West Indies at Old Trafford last summer, and it was his seventh five-wicket haul in 26 appearances.

His efforts ensured England completed a 2-1 series triumph, their first overseas since beating South Africa in 2004-05.

It was also the first time they had come from behind to win a three-Test series since Sri Lanka seven years ago.

New Zealand had initially frustrated the tourists after resuming at McLean Park on 222 for five with Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum adding 54 runs in the first nine overs of the day.

But the introduction of Panesar in the seventh over changed the situation as he struck with his 12th ball to end a spirited 104-run partnership.

Taylor, unbeaten on 34 overnight, looked particularly defiant and hit three boundaries in the first over from man-of-the-series Ryan Sidebottom, who was withdrawn after his opening three-over spell cost 31 runs.

Taylor took just three overs to bring up his half-century with a clip off his legs off Sidebottom and McCullum looked equally comfortable at the crease.

Panesar, though, ended their partnership with a turning delivery which Taylor edged low to Paul Collingwood at second slip and then bowled McCullum in his next over as he attempted to force onto on-side.

England's march was delayed for a further 16 overs, however, while captain Daniel Vettori combined with Jeetan Patel in a dogged 48-run stand.

Once again, though, Panesar broke through when Patel swept and was caught by a diving Stuart Broad and three overs later Vettori edged behind attempting to pull James Anderson.

But despite last man Chris Martin – statistically the worst batsman in world cricket with an average of just two – arriving at the crease, England were unable to finish the job before lunch.

Indeed it was until seven overs into the second session that Sidebottom finally completed England's victory by bowling Martin, but by then Southee's powerful hitting had left scars on the tourists' attack.

Southee raced to the seventh quickest half-century in Test history and the quickest by a New Zealand player by hammering seven sixes and two fours.

His strokeplay enabled New Zealand to score 84 for the final wicket, with Martin contributing just five before his stumps were shattered by Sidebottom.

Captain Vaughan hails his men

Michael Vaughan praised England's character after they completed an impressive turnaround to claim a 121-run victory in the final Test against New Zealand and seal their first overseas series triumph in three years.

It was England's first victory after coming from behind in a three-match series since Sri Lanka seven years ago and their first series win overseas since beating South Africa in 2004-05.

"It's been a really hard-fought series and we've had to show an immense amount of character to come back from being 1-0 down," he said. "A lot of the individual players have had to show a lot of strength and character as well.

"The one thing you do need at this level is character so that's been very impressive but there are areas we need to improve and as the games have gone on we have improved each time.

"But we have to improve again at Lord's and the game after and the game after if we want to really set our sights on being on top of the world, which is a long way off at the moment."

Vaughan added: "There is still work to be done, but people should not under-estimate what we've achieved here.

"We were 1-0 down, we haven't won a series for a long while and we've fought very hard and beaten a New Zealand team which is quite difficult to beat at home.

"We know there's a lot of work to be done but we're certainly moving in the right direction and every game we've played a little bit better.

"Starting in May against New Zealand at Lord's I hope we can improve and play even better than we have done here."

Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer Sidebottom claimed the man-of-the-match and man-of-the series awards after finishing with a staggering 24 wickets in the series to take his tally since being recalled last summer to 53 wickets in just 12 Tests.

"He's just a good old, honest pro. He does his work. he does his bowling and just gets on with it," said Vaughan. "He swings the ball, puts the ball in the right area and bowls at a decent pace and they are quite good attributes to become a good bowler.

"He's obviously got the angles by being a left-armer of over and round the wicket, which is a huge advantage, and he's just bowling well.

"He's come a long way in a year and he's leading the attack well. He bowls that first over and very rarely is off the mark.

"You ask any opening batsman and you like to have a few sighters and you like a couple of freebies and Ryan Sidebottom never, ever gives them that easy first over which is important."

Disappointed New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori also singled out Sidebottom as being the key factor in England's triumph after his side failed to take opportunities which fell to them in the final two Tests.

"You have to sit back and admire the way Sidebottom bowled throughout the series," admitted Vettori.

"He was the difference between the two teams and every time they needed a lift he came in and gave it to them.

"Every time they needed a couple of wickets he came in and gave it to them. His length of spells, his consistency, the pace, the swing, everything he did throughout the series set himself up as a real class bowler.

"I'm disappointed but I can still appreciate some extremely good bowling on his part that set England up for these last two victories."

Vettori added: "It was an extremely competitive Test series the whole way through but England grabbed vital chances in the second and third Test matches and probably, in the end, were deserved winners – it's bitterly disappointing from where we were at Hamilton."