Intro:

Reaction after Alastair Cook's England slip to a crushing 199-run defeat in the second Test at Headingley and a 1-1 series draw with Brendon McCullum's New Zealand.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Alastair Cook, England captain:
(On the second Test).

"You know, 170 for nought we had an opportunity to go past them and put pressure on there. We didn't take that opportunity. We've let too many catches go down in this... in both Lord's and this game. So yeah, it's been a bit of frustration because... and after all that I still think we could have batted out today."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Alastair Cook, England captain:
(On the team).

"You know, when you get into that habit of real seasoned pros winning games people stand up at certain times to do it. We're just probably lacking a little bit of that. You know, those crucial moments of getting through, we haven't taken those wickets, taken those opportunities, and with the ball in the field, but getting through with the bat we're just not quite doing it. So, yes it's a big learner for those (inexperienced) guys and for us as a team but, you know, if we want to win the big series we have to do it."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Brendon McCullum, New Zealand captain:
(Asked whether he feels vindicated following criticism over New Zealand's bold style/approach to Test cricket).

"Yeah, I think vindicated's probably not the right word... (we) maintained the belief that this is how we give ourselves the greatest chance in Test cricket. We've played like this for a while now... but I've also said you've got to earn the right to do so, and, you know, we did that throughout this Test match. There was times where we were behind the eight ball (i.e. in trouble - Pool reference), two for two after losing the toss and batting first is... things can turn pretty ugly pretty quickly, but I thought the guys they got us back in the game and then we were able to push on with our aggressive intent from there."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Brendon McCullum, New Zealand captain:
(On playing two-Test series).

"It would have been great to have had a third Test match in this series. It's not to be, it's just how the scheduling works. But I think rather than looking at what may have been, I think we should look back on what's been an outstanding Test series played in incredibly good spirits from both teams... seen some magnificent cricket from both teams as well - and I think, in the end, a 1-1 result was a really fair reflection."