Broad, Prior & more: Twitter reacts as England seal New Zealand draw
Stuart Broad and Matt Prior both tweet their thoughts after England secured a thrilling draw with New Zealand in the final Test
Matt Prior and Monty Panesar produced a dogged last-wicket stand to secure a thrilling draw in the final Test against New Zealand in Auckland.
The England wicketkeeper hit an unbeaten 110 to frustrate the Kiwis, with Ian Bell and Stuart Broad chipping in with vital innings, as the three-match Test series finished all square.
Here is the best of the Twitter reaction from professionals, both past and present, to a magnificent recovery by the tourists.
Man-of-the-moment Prior (@MattPrior13) isn’t getting carried away with all the adulation: “Amazing day & amazing save from the lads! Well done belly, @joeroot05, @StuartBroad8 and of course @Montyp713! Now its #5pmsomewhereintheworld”
England youngster Joe Root (@joeroot05) lavishes praise on his senior: “Great effort today @MattPrior13 belly, @StuartBroad8 and the rest of the boys were awesome #digin”
All-rounder Broad (@StuartBroad8) reveals why representing your country is such a special feeling: “Love playing for England. The passion, honour, fight, pride and skill on show by the boys today was amazing. @MattPrior13 a hero.”
Broad also picked up a few tricks from his former team-mate Paul Collingwood: “ RT ‘@Colly622: @StuartBroad8 Loving the strike rate #pride’ > Right out the Collingwood school of blocking!!”
Collingwood (@Colly622) adds: “Just woke up to see @MattPrior13 is my ultimate hero. Proper balls for the team #teamman #nzveng… Oh apologies Belly is the b*****ks too!! Great character from all the boys #proud”
Injured batsman Kevin Pietersen (@kevinpp24) hails England’s result: “Jeez, that was brilliant from the boys today.. Prior – excellent! This morning proves yet again, the value of Test cricket.. NOTHING beats it! Separates the men from the boys..”
Luke Wright (@lukewright204) is impressed by Prior’s performance throughout the tour: “Great effort by the England boys to save that! Seriously good tour again by @MattPrior13. Didn’t know you had a defensive shot @StuartBroad8! Class.”
Former batsman Mark Butcher (@markbutcher72) felt the result was never in doubt: “Never in doubt.. Sensational from top #baldybeardy @MattPrior13 #virile”
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) wants to see Panesar knighted: “Surely @Queen_UK a knighthood awaits @Montyp713 arrival home from NZ…..”
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann (@DietmarHamann) enjoyed some great theatre: “Unbelievable stuff from England especially @mattprior13 …what a test match. Showed great resistance and character.”
Ex-England wicketkeeper Alec Stewart (@StewieCricket) believes it was a great advert for Test cricket: “Fantastic fighting effort to secure the draw. @MattPrior13 simply the best. Bell and Broad outstanding too along with Panesar #greatescape Test cricket is alive and kicking. NZ pushed Eng to the very end but couldn’t break the great @MattPrior13 Need to catch up on my sleep!! Surely @MattPrior13 has to be the star in the Great Escape re-make!”
Finally, legend Sir Ian Botham (@BeefyBotham) can’t resist a little dig at the Australians: “Great day England …. Matt the best!! Looking forward to seeing Australia Sky News this am…nothing to fear England losing. You did 4-0 !! Best moment of the NZ tour …… Monty’s dive for the quick single….eat your heart out Greg Louganis !!”
