After yesterday’s stunning performance by Kevin Pietersen, New Zealand did well to restrict England to 253. Thanks to debutant Tim Southee’s figures of 5 for 55. It is indeed a feat that not many have achieved for havinf bagged a 5 for on debut. New Zealand must have been happy with what they did with the ball and must have expected to get a big lead.

         
It was England’s turn to hit back hard. They hit back and are back in the game after skittling out New Zealand for a paltry 168. It was Ryan Sidebottom who accounted for this collapse. Swinging the ball both ways, he had New Zealand Batsman clueless. Only Stephen Fleming put some sort of resistance with a well made 52 before falling to Ryan Sidebottom. The last eight New Zealand wickets fell for a meagre 65 runs.

With a handsome lead in the hand, England are in a position wherein they can’t loose the game until something miraculous happens. It is a tough ask for New Zealand who are a Batsman short with Jacob Oram being ruled out of this game. They have to make sure that they restrict England to a decent score. Ryan Sidebottom finished with figures of 7 for 47.