Cricket: England denied victory by stubborn New Zealand A tail

England quick Jofra Archer and captain Joe Root
England quick Jofra Archer and captain Joe Root Photo credit: Getty

New Zealand A have denied England near-certain victory in the three-day tour match at Cobham Oval. 

The tourists appeared to have the result sealed, when Sam Curran dismissed Scot Kuggeleijn with 18 overs remaining, leaving NZ A 129/8.

But spin twins Will Somerville (32 not out) and Ajaz Patel (10 nout out) dug in on a wearing Whangarei pitch, combining for a unbeaten 40-run ninth-wicket partnership in 78 minutes, before stumps were drawn.

Earlier, England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler notched up a century, after resuming the day 88 not out. The hard-hitting batsman was eventually dismissed for 110, off the bowling of Kuggeleijn, in England's 405 total.  

That left NZ A 103 runs behind with 68 overs to be bowled and when Jofra Archer removed Tom Blundell in the 33rd over, the home side were reduced to 99/6.

But the tail managed to stave off a test-quality attack, including Archer, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and Jack Leach, to ensure a draw.