Swann bags six as England win

Cricket365
May 28, 2013

England won the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley by a hefty 247 runs on day five, managing to dodge the rain as Graeme Swann recorded a 10-wicket match haul to hand his side a two-nil series win.

The Kiwis were all out for 220 after a long rain delay in the afternoon, with Swann and James Anderson quickly taking the two wickets required as drizzle threatened to provide the sides with a draw.

The Black Caps were on 219 for eight at lunch, losing two wickets in the 47 minutes they managed to play in the morning, and were still 249 runs behind. Swann had already bagged his five-fer, the first by an England spinner at the ground since 1985.

The day got off to a late start as overnight rain thwarted the ground staff and they had to clear the field. Once play go under way, with the Kiwis on 158 for six, it didn't take long for the first wicket to fall.

Brendon McCullum fell to Stuart Broad for the fourth time in four innings, with the fast bowler taking a superb diving catch off his own bowling to dismiss the Black Caps slipper for just one run.

Swann, who took four wickets on day four, bagged his five-fer with the removal of Tim Southee, who had made no attempt to bat out the day. He had gone to town on the bowlers, scoring 38 off 41 balls and hitting two sixes before edging to Jonathan Trott at first slip.

The rain then arrived again, and the umpires wasted no time in leading the player off the field, though Alastair Cook was visibly frustrated at being halted so close to the finish line.

The players came out to finish the game nearly three hours later, even though there was still drizzle in the air. Only one run was scored as England's bowlers sent down maiden after maiden, the Kiwis looking to wait for the rain.

But Swann wasn't having it and induced an edge off Doug Bracewell, who was well caught at short leg by Ian Bell to give the spinner his 10-fer. Anderson then came on and required only three balls to bag the injured Trent Boult to end the game.