Sunday’s game marked England’s first victory in New Zealand in 15 years with a crushing 267-run victory over the Black Caps in the first test at Mount Maunganui. In the first session of day four, the tourists took the required five wickets and bowled the Black Caps out for 126 after they had resumed play at 63-5.
England took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series thanks to pace bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad, who each took four wickets in the second innings. Broad (4-49) tore through New Zealand’s top order and took all four wickets clean, reducing them to 28-5 and chasing 394 for victory.
On Sunday, James Anderson, New Zealand’s longtime new ball partner, assumed the role of chief tormentor and defeated four tailenders, enabling the country to score 63 more runs in 22.3 overs. After resuming his innings on 13, Daryl Mitchell, who was unbeaten with 57 runs, struck two sixes for his sixth test century.
Michael Bracewell succumbed to his short-term score of 25 while circling a simple catch by offspinner Jack Drain before Anderson started his tidy up work.
In addition to captain Tim Southee’s golden duck, all four specialist pace bowlers from New Zealand were defeated by Anderson for scores in the single digits. Southee must overcome obstacles to help his team, which has lost all eight of its tests. England, on the other hand, are riding high after their first test victory in New Zealand since 2008, after five draws and two losses.
Under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, they have won 10 of their last 11 tests by playing an adventurous style of attacking cricket called Bazball. England ended a run of five consecutive defeats in the pink ball format with their second victory in 21 day-night matches.
England dominated the game tactically by batting aggressively and deliberately timing the end of both of their innings so that New Zealand faced a new pink ball on days one and three in lively seam conditions under lights.
