Second Test: Alastair Cook happy with England's performance in Wellington

Second Test: Alastair Cook happy with England's performance in Wellington

England were denied the chance to push for victory after rain washed out the final day's play at the Basin Reserve.

Play was abandoned with the hosts on 162-2 - still 49 runs away from making England bat again.

And having struggled during the first Test in Dunedin before salvaging a draw, Cook was pleased with the way his side had responded.

"We got ourselves into a really good position to win the game," Cook said. "We can take a lot from that from our first performance.

"In Dunedin we were behind the eight ball because we didn't bat well for two sessions and we did well to fight and hold on for that game.

Opportunity

"This game we played some really good cricket and gave ourselves a really great opportunity to win this game but the weather didn't allow us to do that.

"As I said, I don't think we have been too far off, especially in this game."

Having posted 465 batting first, England had then dismissed New Zealand for 254 in three sessions on a batsman-friendly pitch.

And Cook was full of praise for pace bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad for helping put England in a strong position.

"To bowl New Zealand out for 250 on that wicket was a great effort," Cook added. "The guys were back to their best in putting New Zealand under pressure and not getting away from us.

"That is one of our hallmarks as a bowling attack and we managed to do that."