Southee and Elliott hail win
All to play for as Kiwis level series
By Steve Pass. Last Updated: June 21, 2008 7:00pm
Elliott: Half-century
New Zealand heroes Tim Southee and Grant Elliott expressed their delight after the Kiwis beat England by 22 runs in Bristol to level the ODI series with two games to play.
The Kiwis were reeling at 42-4 when Elliott came in and scored 56 to steady the ship and help his side record a respectable 182.
Tim Southee then took 4-38 as England were restricted to 160 to give the Kiwis a deserved victory.
Awesome win
Elliott told Sky Sports: "It is just great to be part of a victory. It's an awesome win, it's my first win as an international player and its great."
Southee agreed the side needed to take early wickets and Kyle Mills got Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen out to give the Kiwis a great start.
"The partnership with Swann and Collingwood sort of gave us a bit of a fright there but then we got out of that alright and then obviously came back nicely," he said, agreeing that Paul Collingwood's wicket had been key.
"It was, we just tried to build up pressure and then the wickets came.
"So I think it came through pressure."
Two minds
Speaking of his half-century, Elliott added: "I was caught in two minds quite often - I didn't know whether to have a go or just stay there.
"Eventually a couple of messages came out to just stay there and I suppose it turned out alright."
Southee now hopes the Kiwis can build on this win and go on and take the series.
"It is definitely good to get that win under the belt and sort of get back on the horse and hopefully head to London and win the series," he said.
Asked if he fancied they could win the series, he added: "Yes definitely."
Tim Southee
Grant Elliott
