New Zealand completely outplayed England in Christchurch, sealing a 139 run victory just before 5pm on the 5th day.
The Black Caps' 2 recent victories away to Australia and here against the English surely prove they must be taken seriously as Test Championship contenders. They won the toss on a good batting wicket and amid the showers, amassed 528-6d. Skipper Stephen Fleming batted beautifully for an unbeaten 201, adding 279 for the 6th wicket with Chris Cairns (136). Jack Hobbs and Len Hutton gave England a good start with an opening stand of 118, before 4 wickets fell for 49 on the 3rd afternoon. Kevin Pietersen's classy 126 in 302 mins held together an England reply of 348, 180 runs in arrears. Bert Sutcliffe had to retire hurt during New Zealand's 2nd innings and he would play no further part in the match. His bowling would be missed but the Kiwis were outstanding in the field as they set the visitors a target of 309. Hutton crucially departed before the close of day 4, and then Hobbs succumbed to the 2nd ball of day 5. When Hammond fell to the impressive Tim Southee (who took 9 wickets in the match), England were 48-4 and reeling. They never recovered and the Kiwis pulled off a deserved success, achieved remarkably without a wicket from their talisman Richard Hadlee. Fleming's positive captaincy and double century made him an easy choice for MOM.
New Zealand's victory has opened up the test championship along with that of the West Indies. The Kiwis are off to India next in what will be a huge matchup for both teams, while England will lick their wounds and return home for a fascinating game at Headingley against Pakistan .
New Zealand 1st Innings 528-6 (152 Ov)
SP Fleming 201*, CL Cairns 136, B Sutcliffe 67, WR Hammond 3-54
England 1st Innings 348-10 (123.1 Ov)
KP Pietersen 126, JB Hobbs 58, L Hutton 58, TG Southee 5-93, SE Bond 2-37, B Sutcliffe 2-65
New Zealand 2nd Innings 128-1 (37 Ov)
B Sutcliffe 65*, GM Turner 48
England 2nd Innings 169-10 (89.1 Ov)
KP Pietersen 42, BA Stokes 38, TG Southee 4-37, SE Bond 3-30, CL Cairns 2-32
New Zealand win by 139 runs
Man of the Match: SP Fleming
Flemings controlled innings of 201 not out came in just under 7 hours as he faced 314 balls, hitting 18 fours and a six and helped guide New Zealand to a match winning total
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