At Auckland, March 11, 12, 14, 15. Drawn. No one could blame the weather for yet another undecided contest. Both sides showed little enterprise and especially New Zealand. They were opposed to a side with only ten men, Edrich having been stricken down with appendicitis after the match began.

Altogether the Test occupied twenty-four hours, but it produced only 806 runs -- an average of 33 an hour -- and these included 47 extras.

Sinclair, the New Zealand captain, had the satisfaction of hitting his third Test hundred, his first against England, but he needed three-quarters of an hour for his last 12 runs which gave him three figures. Higgs again bowled well for England and New Zealand's total at the end of the first day was 237 for six; Sinclair 103 not out.

England soon completed their immediate task, mainly through Allen, and then Taylor, with his first ball in Test cricket in New Zealand, removed Parfitt, the deputy opener. Russell and Cowdrey displayed style and confidence in a prolonged stand of 118, but the tail failed against Pollard and New Zealand gained a lead of 74.

This was soon discounted on Shrimpton and Jarvis departing without a run on the board and by the close of the third day New Zealand stood 179 runs ahead with four wickets left.

In the end England faced the task of getting 204 to win in four and a half hours and though at one period Sinclair set a defensive field for Motz, Taylor and Cunis, withdrawing the slips and leg trap, England never asserted any superiority against opponents who averaged only sixteen overs an hour. It was a poor show.