Mid-Day

James Anderson’s dismissal of Peter Fulton was the tourists’ only success as rain limited Day Four of the second Test to 34 overs and, with more downpours forecast today, made a second successive stalemate against New Zealand by far the likeliest outcome.

England players wait for the rain to stop in Wellington yesterday. PIC/Getty Images

Kane Williamson (55no) and Ross Taylor doubled the total in an unbroken stand of 81, after Anderson had Fulton fencing an edge to slip in the fifth over of an uninterrupted morning session.

The remnants of Cyclone Sandra then arrived on cue at lunchtime, wiped out the afternoon and permitted only another five overs in total — during which the hosts advanced to 162 for two to trail by only 49 after following on.

Anderson’s body language was, throughout, that of someone battling physical issues — it has been suggested he has both a stiff back and sore heel — but bowling coach David Saker insisted afterwards England’s lynchpin seamer is injury-free.