Graeme Swann spins England to victory
LEEDS: Graeme Swann bowled England to a commanding 247-run win in the second Test against New Zealand in Leeds yesterday, with rain unable to save the tourists.
Off-spinner Swann took six for 90, for a Test-best match return of 10 for 132, as New Zealand were dismissed for 220.
This win gave England a 2-0 win in the two-match series after their 170-run victory in the first Test at Lord’s.
Swann’s figures topped his previous Test match-best of 10 for 181 against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year. The scale of New Zealand’s task was that their victory target of 468 was 50 more than the Test record fourth innings winning total of 418 for seven made by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03.
For man-of-the-match Swann, who missed England’s recent 0-0 drawn series in New Zealand as he recovered from elbow surgery, his match-haul was particularly notable as he was left out of last year’s corresponding Headingley Test against South Africa.
“I never thought I’d do it at Headingley. I actually agreed with the decision not to pick me here last year as I bowled like a drain at The Oval and it looked a seamers’ pitch,” Swann told BBC Radio.
This was England’s last Test before they begin the defense of the Ashes against Australia in July and Swann added: “I know we’re not allowed to say the ‘A’ word but it was great to get some wickets ahead of the Ashes.” England captain Alastair Cook, who extended his own England Test century record to 25 on Monday with 130 in a second innings total of 287 for five declared, praised Swann’s efforts.
“We all know how good a bowler he is, he doesn’t need the help from the footmarks but when he gets it he’s nigh-on unplayable.” Rain, as much as New Zealand’s lower-order batting, was the biggest obstacle to England recording a thumping win on the final day.
But the weather held off long enough for England to take the four wickets they needed Tuesday and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said batting collapses had cost his side dear.
“Our bowlers have been outstanding, but our batters still have work to do, both individually and as a group.” McCullum added: “Credit where credit’s due, England have some class bowlers — Graeme Swann was outstanding and showed why he’s one of the premier bowlers in the world.” New Zealand, 158 for six overnight, resumed with McCullum naught not out and paceman Tim Southee four not out.
But McCullum was out for one when he chipped a full toss back low to Stuart Broad.
However, an eighth-wicket stand of 56 in 41 balls between Southee and Doug Bracewell delayed England.
Southee, on 24, was dropped by Jonathan Trott at slip off Swann.
But Swann had his man when Southee, on 38, edged to slip and this time Trott held the catch.
When rain forced an early lunch, New Zealand were 219 for eight.
Play resumed at 3pm local time (1400GMT), albeit under leaden skies and with drizzle falling.
Bracewell was out soon afterwards, well caught at silly point by Ian Bell off Swann.
Number 11 Trent Boult gamely made a 26-minute naught before he was last man out, caught behind off James Anderson’s third ball Tuesday as the paceman equalled the late Fred Trueman’s mark of 307 Test wickets on the Yorkshire great’s home ground.