Bad light thwarts England

England’s bid to win the second Test against New Zealand and level the series was hindered by bad light on Monday when play was abandoned early with the hosts 42 without loss chasing 382 for victory.

The tourists earlier declared their second innings closed on 352 for nine.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Jeet Ravalwill resume on the final day after weathering an early storm from England’s seamers and a period where declining light forced England to bowl spin.

Problems in getting a full day’s play at a ground without floodlights might have been expected this far into the year, especially after the official end of New Zealand’s summer came with the changing of the clocks at the weekend.

England had still looked in a strong position to get the win it required to stymie New Zealand’s hopes of a first series triumph against it since 1999.

It resumed Monday on 202 for three and pushed cautiously towards a position of strength.

Joe Root and Dawid Malan both reached the half-century mark — a 39th for the skipper, number six for his partner — before a double strike in three balls saw them depart for 54 and 53 .

England’s next four wickets went for only 70 runs, more than half of it coming from the bat of Jonny Bairstow with Root calling his players in once he was .

Colin de Grandhomme finished with figures of four for 94.