After the thrilling 5 days New Zealand came out on top with winning the match by 1 run. New Zealand after falling behind in the first innings batted superbly in the second innings to set the target of 256 courtesy Kane Williamson’s century. It looked like it was England’s game but New Zealand made a terrific comeback to pull off this thriller.
I think England and New Zealand have a neck of having close encounters and they have had some of these in the past few years. Who can forget the 2019 World Cup final where England won the match by the barest of margins winning by the boundary count after the super over got tied as well, and this test match was no different.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bowl first in the basin reserve which was the right decision as well on a green top wicket. But England batted brilliantly to score 435 runs in just 87.1 overs against the quality new Zealand bowling attack. Joe root scored a fantastic century 153 runs off 224 balls in the first innings. Harry brook who is in the form of his life once again showed why he is the most entertaining young batsman ever scoring 186 runs off just 176 deliveries and he put a 302 run stand with the former England captain Joe root.
The home team got bundled out in just 53.1 overs for just 209 runs with Stuart broad picking 4 wickets. New Zealand came to bat once again as they were enforced follow on.
With Tom lathan’s 83 , kane Williamson’s classic century 132 and tom blundell’s 90 helped new Zealand make the terrific comeback from the position they were in. They set the target of 258 runs for the visitors. England were once reduced to 80/5 but then the England current captain ben stokes and former captain Joe root steadied the ship for them with Joe root scoring 95 missing out on twin centuries.
England required just 58 runs and the target looked very easy but Neil wagner’s double strike in his consecutive overs helped new Zealand get back into the game. He got both Joe root and ben stokes out in a span of 3 overs.
England required just 2 runs to win and had one wicket in hand but Neil wagner got James Anderson out on a short ball with Tom blundell completed a very good catch down to the leg side and helped new Zealand pull off the thriller.
Final Score
England: 435/8d( 1st innings) and 256 (2nd innings) T:258
New Zealand: 209(1st innings) and 483(f/O) (2nd innings)
