New Zealand and England will head to Auckland locked at 0-0 in their three-Test series after the second match was drawn in rain-soaked Wellington.

Constant light rain on the final day meant no play was possible at the Basin Reserve. The Test was abandoned at 2.05pm local time on Monday.

Wet weather also made just 35 overs possible on the fourth day, halting England’s push for victory in a Test they dominated over the first three days.

After following on, New Zealand’s second innings finished on 2-162, still 49 runs behind the tourists. Kane Williamson was on 55 and Ross Taylor 41.

New Zealand made the running in the drawn first Test at Dunedin, setting up an intriguing decider at Eden Park starting on Friday.

England bowling coach David Saker described the Auckland Test as a “Cup final” and hoped it would provide a pitch with more life than was on offer in Dunedin and Wellington.

Saker said taking wickets in both Tests has been a process of waiting for mistakes from opposing batsmen.

Likewise, the batsmen have struggled to play fluent strokes, particularly off the back foot, due to the lack of pace.

“For the spectacle of Test cricket, this isn’t the greatest way,” he said.

“Anyone watching the game wants to see the ball bounce through and sometimes it’s a bit frustrating for the spectators.”

Saker said the Twenty20 and one-day international series between the teams last month were played on pitches with ample carry.

He wasn’t sure if New Zealand Cricket had ordered the Test wickets be slowed down.

The Basin Reserve has now produced three consecutive draws while three of the past four Tests at University Oval have ended in a stalemate.

However, there has been a result in each of the last six Tests at Eden Park, although the most recent of them was seven years ago.

Meanwhile, Daniel Vettori’s return to fitness won’t change New Zealand spinner Bruce Martin’s refreshing late-career approach to Test cricket.

Martin, 32, has been a success story on debut for the Black Caps against England, out-pointing counterpart Monty Panesar in both games.

However, if New Zealand take just one spinner on the two-Test tour of England in May, he may have to make way for Vettori.

“Every time I get a crack at it out there I’m thinking it’s my last Test and I’ve got to perform,” Martin said.

“It’s what it’s like when you’re my age. You’ve got to keep putting the numbers up there and just make them pick you.”