Bold NZ tie Test series

LEEDS, England (AP):

New Zealand's bold approach to Test cricket was further vindicated with a 199-run win over England in the second Test yesterday tying an enthralling series 1-1 and maintaining the Black Caps' two-year undefeated run in the longer format.

England began the fifth day at Headingley on 44-0, needing a Test-record 455 to win, but never recovered from losing four wickets for 15 runs in the first hour and were dismissed for 255.

While the result denies England a series victory heading into the Ashes, even captain Alastair Cook couldn't argue that New Zealand deserved some reward for their inventive and adventurous style of play that has earned the team many admirers over the past two weeks.

remarkable pace

New Zealand scored more than 800 runs in the second Test and more than 1,500 in the series, at times going along at run rates that wouldn't have looked out of place in one-day matches.

"It's how we want to play the game," New Zealand captain Brendan McCullum said. "It's not always easy to remain true to your beliefs when you're under pressure.

"The guys bought into it, played an attacking brand of cricket and gave ourselves every opportunity to force a result."

England won a thrilling first Test at Lord's and Cook said it was a shame there couldn't be a decider.

"If you're a boxing promoter, you'd want a rematch right there," he said.