England labour to tour match draw

England labour to tour match draw

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) –  England’s bowlers failed to impress as the two-day tour match against a New Zealand XI ended in a draw.

After reaching 285-3 on day one, the tourists finally declared on 376-5 at the Cobham Oval in Whangarei.

New Zealand under-19 batsman Finn Allen hit a classy century in reply before retiring out as his side ended on 285-5, with only England fast bowler Jofra Archer taking more than one wicket.

England’s first Test against New Zealand begins on 21 November.

With all-rounder Ben Stokes back bowling after injury prevented him from doing so in the final Ashes Test against Australia, England are expected to pick between Chris Woakes and Sam Curran for a spot in the starting XI.

Both opened the bowling and Woakes failed to take a wicket in conceding 28 runs off 10 overs, while Curran took 1-33 off nine overs.

Stuart Broad took an economical 1-15 off nine overs, Archer was expensive in claiming 2-46 off 11 overs and slow left-armer Jack Leach, leg-spinner Matt Parkinson and Stokes all could not claim a wicket.