[1]England’s Ian Bell celebrates the dismissal of Doug Bracewell in the second Test against New Zealand in Headingley on Tuesday. —
Graeme Swann took six wickets and 10 in the match as England dodged the rain clouds hovering over Headingley to wrap-up a 247-run second Test victory over New Zealand on Tuesday and secure a 2-0 series triumph.
New Zealand lost their last four men in murky conditions on the final day to be bowled out for 220 after surprisingly being asked to bat last in a game that appeared to be at England’s mercy much earlier before captain Alastair Cook declined to enforce the follow-on. Cook batted again before declaring and setting New Zealand an improbable 468 to win, giving his bowlers the best part of five sessions to take 10 wickets.
England’s gameplan was nearly scuppered, though, by persistent light rain and delays on Tuesday. Off-spinner Swann, who underwent elbow surgery in March, made the most of the breaks in the clouds to take 6/90 in the second innings and return match figures of 10/132, a huge boost for England ahead of the Ashes series against Australia starting in July.
England had also won the first Test by 170 runs.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/england-s-ian-bell-celebrates-dismissal-doug-bracewell-second-test-against-new-zealand-headingley-tu