England have continued their impressive form with a 267-run victory over New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series. The win, which came on the fourth day of the match, was England’s first Test win in New Zealand for 15 years and their first overseas win in a pink-ball match.
England’s winning streak has been nothing short of remarkable, with this victory marking their sixth consecutive Test win and 10th in 12 matches since Ben Stokes took over as captain at the beginning of last summer. The numbers are spectacular, with no England team since 2010 having won six Tests in a row.
Harry Brook and Ben Duckett both impressed with the bat, with their strike-rates of 96.88 and 87.53 being the highest in Test cricket history among players who have scored at least 500 runs. Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes also showed his dependability with a crucial half-century in the second innings. Ollie Robinson demonstrated his credentials as a future leader of the England attack with 4-54 in New Zealand’s first innings, while Stuart Broad’s spell under lights on the third evening was thrilling theatre.
New Zealand made a mistake by choosing to field first at the toss, an error that condemned them to batting twice under lights in comparison to England’s once. The hosts were reduced to 63-5 overnight in their chase of 394, and were eventually bowled out for 126 on the fourth day. Jack Leach had Michael Bracewell caught in the third over, before James Anderson ran through the tail to claim 4-18. Scott Kuggeleijn and Tim Southee fell in successive balls and Neil Wagner was pouched by Foakes before Daryl Mitchell and Blair Tickner put up some last-wicket resistance. Anderson eventually switched ends and bowled Tickner, leaving New Zealand 126 all out and Mitchell stranded on 57 not out.
England’s focus is on enjoyment, entertainment and freedom, but they have also turned winning into a habit. They have secured a huge margin of victory at the Bay Oval despite not being at their best for parts of this match. The second and final Test of the series is in Wellington, beginning on Friday (Thursday 22:00 GMT), when England will aim for a seventh successive win, a feat they have not achieved since 2004.