Twitter Reaction: Ish Sodhi slams fifty as New Zealand battles for a draw

Joe Root exalted in joy when he picked the important wicket of solid New Zealand batsman Neil Wagner. With eight wickets down, it seemed as though the few minutes left in the day’s play could ensure an England victory. However, once the DRS decision had been taken and Wagner had been adjudged as ‘out’, it was too late as the stipulated time and the overs had been concluded, and with that the series as well.

However, things were not as bad as they seemed since the visitors were on the ascendency for the most part of the encounter. On the final day, it was a case of the Kiwis battling for survival, something they are well-versed in. Instead of James Anderson and Stuart Broad doing a bulk of the wrecking, it was Broad and Jack Leach who formed a formidable partnership that removed a portion of the top order. Broad removed Williamson for a first-ball duck before Taylor, Nicholls and BJ Watling were sent back to the pavilion.

However, with the Kiwis staring down the barrel, it was a case of fighting for survival. Ish Sodhi and Colin de Grandhomme began to stitch a partnership, something that was unlikely. New Zealand in response was defiant as they began blocking with intent. The short-ball ploy employed by Mark Wood ensured that Grandhomme was sent back to the dressing room.

To his credit, Neil Wagner began blocking deliveries, something that he has done in the past in domestic cricket. This continued for 25 odd overs as the duo of Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner began blocking deliveries as skipper Root was forced to move his fielders around the bat. The Barmy Army, who had been singing all the while of the Test match eventually could do little to help the visitors gain a victory.

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