Rogers praises 'unbelievable' Vics ahead of Shield final return

England and New Zealand battled to a draw in the Second cricket Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton. But not without a fight. Joe Root's masterful double century anchored England, while New Zealand's Wagner proved a persistent threat. The five-day affair concluded with honours even, but the numbers tell a story of fluctuating fortunes.

The Second cricket Test took place between November 29th and December 3rd, 2019, at Seddon Park in Hamilton. England, after conceding a significant first-innings deficit, rallied to post a formidable total in their second innings, ultimately securing a draw. This result meant New Zealand won the two-match series 1-0, after their victory in the first test.

The crucial innings belonged to Joe Root. He showcased resilience, playing out of his crease effectively to disrupt the bowlers' rhythm. His double century was a clear demonstration of his quality. When you look at the data, Root's performance is even more impressive.

Root's Second Innings: 226 runs off 441 balls, strike rate of 51.25.
Root's First Innings: 4 runs off 21 balls, strike rate of 19.05.

The disparity in these figures highlights the extent of Root's adjustment and determination after a poor showing in the first innings. It was a watchful innings. England's second innings total reached 476. This was a significant improvement from their first innings score of 164.

Statistically speaking, England's top order struggled throughout the series, barring Root's exceptional knock. The opening partnerships were consistently weak, placing undue pressure on the middle order.

New Zealand's Neil Wagner was a constant thorn in England's side. His aggressive bowling and relentless accuracy yielded crucial wickets. The numbers don't lie: Wagner's economy rate and strike rate demonstrate his effectiveness.

Wagner's First Innings: 5 wickets for 44 runs, economy rate of 2.20.
Wagner's Second Innings: 3 wickets for 105 runs, economy rate of 3.49.

And his ability to maintain pressure, even in the face of Root's resistance, was noteworthy. His economy rate did rise in the second innings, but he remained a key threat.

The draw denies New Zealand a series sweep. But they can be satisfied with the overall result. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Wagner and supported by Southee, consistently troubled the English batsmen. Their batting, particularly in the first Test, provided a solid foundation for victory in that match. New Zealand showed that they are a force to be reckoned with.

But what does this series result mean for both teams moving forward? For England, it raises questions about their batting consistency and their ability to adapt to different conditions. Joe Root's return to form is a positive sign. But more is needed from the rest of the batting lineup. They need to find a way to consistently post competitive totals. Is that likely? Their away form has been patchy.

New Zealand, on the other hand, will be buoyed by their series win. Their bowling attack is well-rounded. Their batsmen are capable of scoring big runs. They've built a strong team. And they will look to continue their success in future series.

The final day saw England batting to save the match. And with Root at the crease, they managed to do just that. The game petered out to a draw. There was no crunch time.