NZ vs ENG, 2nd Test: Rain Forces Draw After Williamson, Taylor Tons; NZ Clinch Series 1-0

Centuries from New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor denied England series parity as the second Test in Hamilton ended in a draw. The weather played the spoilsport, ensuring a series win for New Zealand after their innings victory in the first Test, and improved their record to eight wins, a draw and one loss (to South Africa) in their past 10 series. Williamson brought up his 21st Test century with a four off Joe Root in the third over after lunch, while Taylor reached century number 19 with a flourish in Root’s next over when he smacked four and two sixes in consecutive balls. Two balls after Taylor had raised his bat and poked his tongue out in his signature celebration; the rain arrived to wash out England’s faint hope of forcing a result although that chance had already been damaged by dropped catches. Resuming day five at 96/2, New Zealand got off to a solid start and they did not lose a single wicket. Williamson (104) and Taylor (105) kept the England bowlers at bay and put on an unbeaten stand of 213 runs for the third wicket. On day five, Taylor became the second and also the fastest Kiwi batsman to register 7000 runs in the longest format of the game. He reached this landmark in just 169 innings, and with this feat, he went past New Zealand's Stephen Fleming who had scored these runs in 189 innings. Yesterday, New Zealand ended day four of the second Test match at 96/2 after bundling out England for 476 in the first innings. They took a 140 run lead in the second innings before a continuous downpour ended the match. With 13 wickets in three innings including two five-wicket hauls, New Zealand's Neil Wagner was named Player of the Series. The Kiwis will now head to Australia on Saturday for a three-Test series with the 1-0 win over England cementing their number two world ranking behind India.