London, June 6: Skipper Joe Root and Dominic Sibley helped England walk away with a draw against New Zealand on Day Five of the first Test here at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Chasing 273, England got off to a steady start as openers Rory Burns and Sibley saw off the new ball and the duo kept the Kiwi pace attack at bay. The run-scoring was slow, but both batsmen ensured that they keep the good balls out. The 49-run opening stand was finally broken by Neil Wagner in the 24th over as he dismissed Burns (25).
Zak Crawley failed to leave a mark with the bat as he was sent back to the pavilion by Tim Southee, but Sibley and skipper Root ensured that England entered the tea break on Day Five with eight wickets in hand and the score being 56/2.
Root (40) might have been dismissed by Wagner but in the end, Sibley (60*) along with Ollie Pope (20*) ensured that the hosts walk away with a draw.
Brief scores: New Zealand 378 all out and 169/6 declared (Tom Lathan 36, Ross Taylor 33; Ollie Robinson 3/26); England 275 all out (Rory Burns 132, Ollie Robinson 42; Tim Southee 6/43) and 170/3 (Dominic Sibley 60*, Joe Root 40; Neil Wagner 2/27). (ANI)
