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Jonathan Agnew

England show character to win series

Napier: day five of third Test - Outrageous hitting by Tim Southee - the 19-year-old New Zealand debutant – damaged bowling figures and delayed England’s victory, but it didn’t dampen their celebrations.

To come back from 1-0 down in a three Test series is always a tall order.

England owe as much to the character of the players and the boldness of the selectors as they do to the Wellington groundsman who defied Daniel Vettori’s orders and prepared a pitch that suited the tourists.

Without that, and Tim Ambrose’s fighting hundred there, the comeback might never have happened.

On the plus side of the tour, Ryan Sidebottom emerged as the difference between the bowling attacks of both sides, taking 24 wickets in the series...

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Phil Long

Napier provides fitting finale

After problems with the harsh New Zealand sun in Hamilton, it was problems of a more logistical, and unfortunately, increasingly common nature which left a lot of English fans stumped in Napier.

The city positively groaned under the influx of fans in town for reasons as diverse as a Jack Johnson gig, hordes of Kiwi families enjoying the last sun of the summer and, believe or not, the local apple picking season!

When you throw a few thousand England cricket fans into the mix, it's easy to see why there's not been a bed, from backpackers hostels to five-star hotels, to be had for the last week.

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