Bazball beaten: Kiwis claim rousing one-run win
NEW Zealand has taken down the mighty Bazball-ing England in Wellington today, defeating the tourists by a single run to level the two-match series at 1-1. The Kiwis’ dramatic victory was just the fourth time in Test history that a side has won after following on, and the second-ever result with a one-run margin.
The overwhelming sense as day five drew to its crescendo was that Test cricket remains alive and well, perhaps revitalised by a ruthless English lineup which has stylishly embodied the philosophy of its coach. New Zealand ended up victorious, though, in an intensely entertaining game between two willing adversaries.
Black Caps quick Neil Wagner finished the job, claiming 4-62 in the fourth innings and strangling James Anderson down leg side for the decisive dismissal. Gloveman Ben Foakes (35) was the key wicket though, caught by Wagner at fine leg off the bowling of Tim Southee to leave England needing seven runs for the 10th wicket.
In a match laden with momentum shifts, England was reduced to 5-80 chasing 258 for victory before lunch on day five. The tumbling wickets brought Joe Root and Ben Stokes together, with the former captain proving the chalk to the current skipper’s cheese.
Root blazed to 95 off 113, while Stokes battled a knee injury to conjure 33 off 116 in a 121-run stand, but both were removed by Wagner in the space of two overs. That left Foakes to take charge alongside the tail, and despite weathering a tactical storm for 57 deliveries, he fell short of being England’s hero.
New Zealand was a man down in the dying stages, with bowler Matt Henry (back) unable to see out the final day. He snared two poles in the innings and six for the match, as he and Southee (3-45) struck when it mattered.
Post all the drama, Kane Williamson was named player of the match having peeled off a fighting 132 in his side’s second dig. He also became New Zealand’s all-time leading run scorer in the process, passing Ross Taylor‘s tally of 7683 in 35 less innings.
In just his fifth and sixth Tests, English batter Harry Brook earned Player of the Series honours. His better than a run-a-ball 186 in the first innings brought his total to 329, and he even claimed Williamson’s wicket in his maiden Test bowling spell.
Having fallen short at Basin, England will have to wait even longer to claim its first Test series win New Zealand since 2008. Before a home Ashes series in June, Bazball will also be tested in a standalone match against Ireland. Meanwhile, the Black Caps prepare to host Sri Lanka next month.
SCORECARD
TOSS: New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl.
RESULT: New Zealand (209 & 483) def. England (8d-435 & 256) by 1 run.
POTM: Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
1st Innings: England 8d-435 (87.1)
Harry Brooke 186 (176), Joe Root 153* (224), Ben Stokes 27 (28)
Matt Henry 4-100 (22.1), Michael Bracewell 2-54 (11), Tim Southee 1-93 (24)
2nd Innings: New Zealand 209 (53.2)
Tim Southee 73 (49), Tom Blundell 38 (79), Tom Latham 35 (76)
Stuart Broad 4-61 (14.2), James Anderson 3-37 (10), Jack Leach 3-80 (17)
3rd Innings: New Zealand 483 (162.3)
Kane Williamson 132 (282), Tom Blundell 90 (166), Tom Latham 83 (172)
Jack Leach 5-157 (61.3), Harry Brook 1-25 (8), Joe Root 1-39 (12)
4th Innings: England 256 (74.2)
Joe Root 95 (113), Ben Foakes 35 (57), Ben Stokes 33 (116)
Neil Wagner 4-62 (15.2), Tim Southee 3-45 (20.1), Matt Henry 2-75 (21.5)
SERIES: New Zealand 1-1 England
POTS: Harry Brook (England)
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