Vincent helps New Zealand salvage draw

Lou Vincent struck his second half-century of the rain-delayed second Test against England on Monday to help salvage the match for New Zealand.

Vincent, subduing his normal attacking instincts, reached 50 from 131 balls with five boundaries during a stubborn final day rearguard action by the home side. He was finally out lbw to Matthew Hoggard for 71 from a ball which swung in wickedly late.

Hoggard then bowled Stephen Fleming for 11 to give England late hope of winning the match and wrapping up the three-match series after their 98-run win Christchurch. But Nathan Astle (11 not out) and Craig McMillan (17 not out) also batted patiently to see their side through to 158 for four when play was called off.

In the morning session Andy Flintoff hit the fifth fastest Test half-century ever as England pressed for victory on the final day.

The burly Lancastrian slammed 50 from 33 balls en route to 75 from 44 balls with nine fours and two sixes in an England second innings total of 293 for four declared.

Mark Butcher (60) was the first batsman to depart when play began on an overcast morning, lofting Chris Drum to Chris Martin at mid-off. The Surrey left-hander had hit nine boundaries.

Marcus Trescothick, 77 overnight, pulled a six off Drum but fell five overs later only 12 short of his century when he top-edged a sweep off left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to Mark Richardson at third man.

Flintoff, who scored his maiden first class century in England's first Test win, was promoted to number four in order to accelerate the scoring rate.

He relished the opportunity, tying four other players for the fifth fastest century in terms of balls received, with some mighty drives. A 10-over partnership with Nasser Hussain gathered 82 runs with the captain contributing just 12.

After Hussain had declared, giving his team 88 overs to dismiss New Zealand, England got the early wicket they needed when the stubborn Richardson, who top-scored with 60 in the first innings, was caught for four off left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.

Matt Horne, woefully out of sorts in the first three innings of the series, found some form after lunch, taking his total to 38 before he waved at a delivery outside his off-stump from Flintoff without moving his feet and was caught behind by Foster.

After the first day and the morning session of the second were lost to bad weather, England were clearly the superior side and will be favourites to clinch the series in the third Test starting in Auckland on Saturday.

Mail Cricket Editor