Tuesday’s second Test thriller saw New Zealand edge England by one run, drawing the series in Wellington’s most dramatic way. In 146 years of Test cricket, the hosts created some history by being only the fourth side to triumph despite being asked to follow on. As New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell made a diving catch at the Basin Reserve, Neil Wagner got the crucial wicket of James Anderson to complete a thrilling victory.
New Zealand Beat England in a nail biter
A thrilling two-Test series ended 1-1 as the host team rallied to set an aggressive England target of 258 runs to win. Nevertheless, the visitors were all out for 256 runs. It matched the West Indies squad, who defeated Australia by the same razor-thin margin in Adelaide in 1993, as the only other occasion in Test cricket that a side has won by one run.
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Left-arm speed bowler Wagner, who ended with 4-62 with the crucial dismissals of Ben Stokes and Joe Root, remarked, “Fantastic accomplishment, hats off to everyone, everyone kept battling.” The aggressive “Bazball” C under head coach Brendon McCullum failed, and England captain Ben Stokes was upset to have lost but pleased to have contributed to the drama.
Stokes, a New Zealander by birth, said, “That game is what Test cricket is about — the emotions we were going through and the Kiwi lads as well.” “Today, everyone received value for their money. What a contest. I went to observe what was happening after I left, and it was very up and down “Stokes said.
That was insane
It was the first victory for New Zealand after a forced follow-on. When India defeated Australia in 2001, England had accomplished it twice against Australia, in 1894 and 1981. Over the last two days of a wild Test match, New Zealand had taken the lead once again. The visitors’ contribution to a thrilling Test encounter that will live long in the memory was lauded by captain Tim Southee.
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When New Zealand ended England’s streak of six consecutive victories, Southee praised England for their “fantastic” work in the Test cricket world over the last year or so. “I have no idea why we constantly seem to have such close calls, but these matches bring out the best in both of us.”We just never gave up; it was a matter of persevering and having faith that we would succeed.”
A fatal blow
After declaring their first innings on 435-8 and bowling out New Zealand for 209, England, who had won the first Test by a margin of 267 runs, was on track to win the second Test as well. But with a magnificent 132 in their second innings, 483, former captain and New Zealander Kane Williamson brought New Zealand back into the Test, giving England 258 to win.
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After starting the day at 48-1, England stumbled and lost four wickets for only 27 runs in the morning until Root steadied the ship by leading his side to 168-5 at lunch. Root and Stokes’ crucial partnership came to an end on run 121 as England’s skipper was caught by Wagner at square leg as they continued to make progress towards their objective. As Root was also struck by a Wagner short ball and went for 95, adding to England’s 57-run deficit, the pressure on them increased substantially.
With a carefree 35, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes kept England in the game. He overcame Michael Bracewell’s lost catch and hit three fours to the boundary. But just when it seemed like Foakes may valiantly lead England home, Wagner grabbed him in the deep off Southee. The suspense increased further as the last pair, Anderson and Jack Leach, still needed seven runs to win.
Before Wagner and Blundell combined to provide the finishing blow, Anderson hit a four to reduce the gap to two runs. With a 3-0 victory against Pakistan, Stokes, who will now concentrate on the Ashes and Australia this summer, said it had still been a great winter. “It’s disappointing to finish on a defeat, but we will take great pleasure in four (wins) out of five away from home,” he added. “Take a break for a few months, then return back to what we love.”