NZ v ENG 2019: Root, Williamson react after New Zealand wins the Test series 1-0 

The two-match series ended with a rain-hit drawn Test in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Joe Root and Kane Williamson | GettyNew Zealand captain Kane Williamson and England skipper Joe Root dwell upon the positives following a draw in the rain-hit second Test in Hamilton that ended the two-match series with the hosts securing a 1-0 victory. 

The Kiwis won the first Test in Mount Maunganui by an innings and 65 runs but the visitors bounced back with a good performance in the second. That especially pleased Root as he lauded his team's gumption.

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"We have been talking about scoring big runs in the first innings so for us to come back from last week and learn the lessons and put in a performance like that was pleasing. We are a side that wants to learn and learn quickly," Root said after the game, having led his side from the front via an epic double century that once enabled a 101-run lead. 

"We want to become resilient in these conditions and make sure that we can back up performances like this and become a much harder side to beat and then go on and win games when it gets flat or it gets hard."

On the final day, Williamson made a solid 104 not out in a fantastic 213-run stand with fellow centurion Ross Taylor (105*) before the rain intervened. Besides those two, wicketkeeper batsman BJ Watling, opener Tom Latham and pacer Neil Wagner also only enhanced their reputation through this series. 

"From our guys perspective, it was great to see the fight and attitude," Williamson said. "There were times when nothing was happening but guys wanted the ball in their hands and they wanted to try and take wickets. Collectively it was a good effort."

While Watling top-scored with 260 runs, including a maiden double hundred in the first Test at Bay Oval, Wagner scalped 13 wickets with two five-wicket hauls and bagged the "Player-of-the-Series" award. 

The Black Caps now travel across to the Tasman sea and take on their neighbours in a three-match Test series starting December 12. 

"Australia is a very good team, so it's always tough going there. We have to adapt to the challenges that we are presented with," Williamson said.

(Inputs from Reuters)

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 03 Dec, 2019

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