WELLINGTON: Veteran New Zealand pacer and Test captain Tim Southee equalled his former Indian counterpart MS Dhoni’s tally of sixes in the longest format amid his side’s home fixture against England on Saturday.

New Zealand, who are in heaps of trouble dealing with ruthless England, found a moment to cherish amid their dismal home Test series as their captain Southee added another feather to his cap during the ongoing second Test.

The hosts’ batting lineup crumbled against a strong English bowling attack; featuring top-ranked Test bowler James Anderson but Southee retaliated for his side with an unbeaten 23 off just 18 deliveries.

The skipper hit two sixes amid his blitz against England before the rain forced an early end to day two here.

Amid his brief knock, Southee drew level with former Indian captain Dhoni’s tally of 78 sixes in the longest format of the game when he smashed Stuart Broad over the midwicket boundary for his second six of the match.

Southee achieved the milestone in just 131 innings, 13 less than Dhoni and has an opportunity to surpass the latter’s tally on the third day of the ongoing second Test.

The pacer, however, is a long way behind Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand record holder, whose mark of 107 sixes was recently shattered by England captain Ben Stokes.

READ: Anderson fires England into control of Test against New Zealand