Swann & Rashid keep Kiwis at bay

TOUR MATCH
Rose Bowl, day four of four: England Lions 280 & 360-8 dec drew with New Zealand 273 & 201-4

Match scorecard

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Swann struck seven boundaries and a six in his innings

A quick-fire half century from Graeme Swann and three wickets for Adil Rashid ensured the England Lions drew their four-day match against New Zealand.

The tourists were set 368 to win from at least 75 overs thanks to Swann's 52 from 41 balls helping the Lions to declare at 360-8 an hour before lunch.

But Jamie How (74) and Aaron Redmond (64) put on an opening stand of 150.

Leg-spinner Rashid removed both before dismissing Ross Taylor for a duck as the Kiwis finished on 201-4.

Matthew Hoggard, named in England's Test squad on Sunday morning, proved less threatening with the ball than his Yorkshire team-mate, sending down seven wicketless overs before he was replaced by Swann.

606: DEBATE I don't think there is any surprise to see Hoggard back in there YR

But it was the off-spinner's antics with the bat that impressed, accelerating the Lions total from 275-5 to 360 in under an hour.

The Nottinghamshire man reached his half century with a reverse sweep for four, but the unorthodox stroke also brought about his demise when he was caught at deep-backward point by Chris Martin off Jeetan Patel.

Saturday's centurion Michael Carberry could only add a eight runs to his overnight total before he was caught by wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum for 108.

With the declaration made, New Zealand's openers were given a nervy hour to bat through until lunch.

But How and first-innings centurion Redmond looked untroubled as Hoggard and new-ball partner Graham Onions toiled to no avail.

Hopefully we head into the Test match with some real confidence after this display New Zealand vice-captain Brendon McCullum

Redmond - who looks certain to make his Test debut against England at Lord's on Thursday - eventually lost his wicket when he mis-timed an attempted drive straight to mid-on.

The dismissal sparked four wickets in 13 overs, with Rashid enticing How down the wicket for Matt Prior to complete a simple stumping.

He also trapped Taylor lbw, with Chris Tremlett dismissing James Marshall in similar fashion.

Big-hitting McCullum announced his arrival with a huge straight six off Rashid before the game ended with neither side gaining a significant advantage over the other.

The tourists were seeking a second successive victory following their win over Essex as they begin their final preparations for the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.

And afterwards vice-captain McCullum, who was leading the side in the absence of injured captain Daniel Vettori, accused the Lions of adopting a negative mindset.

"There are contrasting views on the game and I think at times you have to risk losing to win a game," he said.

It was good to get those wickets in that last session and Adil Rashid bowled brilliantly towards the end Lions captain Rob Key

"It was not so much the total they set us but more the manner in which they set their fields and used their bowling rotations which I thought was a touch negative.

"I think we got through some pretty sound work for the bowlers and the batsmen really put their hands up and took their opportunities.

"Hopefully we head into the Test match with some real confidence after this display."

McCullum also confirmed Vettori has now had his stitches removed from his left index finger, which forced him to miss the Lions match, and New Zealand remain hopeful he will be fit enough to lead them out at Lord's.

Lions captain Rob Key hailed the display of spinner Rashid after an impressive spell on Sunday.

"It was good to get those wickets in that last session and Adil Rashid bowled brilliantly towards the end," Key said.

"It would have been slightly different if they were one or no wicket down at the close - it would have been honours even.