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England began their red-ball campaign in New Zealand with a dominant performance, defeating the hosts b꧟y eight wickets in the first T🧔est at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The match showcased England’s all-round prowess, highlighted by Harry Brook‘s sensational century and Brydon Carse‘s exceptional bowling display. New Zealand fought hard with notable contributions from Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, but England’s clinical execution in all departments ensured a convincing win.
New Zealand’s grit meets England’s firepower
New Zealand posted a respectable 348 runs in their first innings at Hagley Oval. Captain Tom Latham (47) and Williamson (93) held the innings together, while Glenn Phillips displayed resilience with an unbeaten 58 off 87 deliveries. However, England’s bowlers, led by Carse (4/64) and Shoaib Bashir (4/69), ensured the hosts were bowled out in 91 overs. Gus Atkinson (2/61) also contributed by striking early and removing key batters like Devon Conway and Williamson.
England responded emphatically with a commanding batting performance, scoring 499 in their first innings. Brook stole the show with a magnificent 171 off 197 balls, supported by contributions from Ollie Pope (77) and captain Ben Stokes (80). Atkinson’s rapid 48 further frustrated New Zealand’s bowlers. Matt Henry led the Kiwi attack with 4/84, while Nathan Smith (3/141) and Tim Southee (2/85) chipped in.
New Zealand falter under pressure
Trailing by 151 runs, New Zealand struggled in their second innings, managing 254 runs. Williamson once again anchored the innings with a composed 61, while Mitchell’s aggressive 84 provided hope. Despite their efforts, England’s Carse wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming another five-wicket haul (5/62) to decimate the Kiwi batting order. Chris Woakes supported him well, taking 3/59.
Also READ: NZ vs ENG: Kaꦗne Williamson sets a new record for New Zealand by reaching 9000 runs in Test cricket
England seal the win in style
Chasing a modest target of 104, England wasted no time in wrapping up the game. Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 50 off 37 balls and Joe Root’s quickfire 23 off 15 deliveries ensured an 8-wicket victory in just 12.4 overs. Matt Henry and William O’Rourke picked up a wicket each for New Zealand, but it was too litt💫le, too late.
Carse delivered a brilliant performance, finishing 🐼with figures of 10/106 across both innings and bagging a Player of the Match award. His devastating spells were instrumental in restricting New Zealaಌnd’s totals and earning England a comfortable win.
Here is how fans reacted:
🏴 ENGLAND WIN! 🏴
Brydon Carse takes 10 in the match and Ha💯rry Brook hits 171 in a br🔴illiant victory in Christchurch 👊
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
Fantastic win for England .. They are lookꦇing like a very dangerous side in the Southern hemisphere .. 👍👍👍
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Brydon C☂arse is the first English seamer to take 10 in a match overseas since Ryan Si🀅debottom in Hamilton in 2008.
It's something that neither Anderson nor Broad achieved in their careers.
— Yas Rana (@Yas_Wisden)
Jacob Bethell is one hell of a talent
Af𒁃ter being dismissed for duck in the first innings, he scored 💜a 37 ball 50 in the second.
RCB did get a gem this season 🔥
— RanDumb postings🕳️ (@randumbpostings)
Jacob Bethell FIFTY on Test Debut !!! 🔥
50*(37) in 2nd inn with 8 fours & 1 Six
Strike rate: 135.13 ⭐Bethell has arrived in Test Cricket 💪
— Ritesh Sharma (@Ritesh_Sharma11)
When he toured Pakistan i said that he will be lethal in New Zealand and now he earns man of the match for his💧 10 wicket haul & a 33* with the bat. ꦬCongratulations Brydon Carse
— Wasay Habib (@wwasay)
Brydon Carse a tall hit the deck bowler – picking up 10 wickets in NZ against NZ!!!! If you find a good HTD bowler, cherish them! Although I'm baffled by the use of Atkinson and Carse by Stokes. Out of the 74.1 Overs Atkinson bowled 17.3 Carse 19.1 – this is too much for…
— AAD!3 💟💜 (@1_3Aadz)
🚨 JACOB BETHELL MADE HISTORY ON HIS TEST🐼 DEBUT 🚨
– Jacob Bethel has scored 2nd fastest fifty on Test Debut in the History. 🤯
.— Akhila Raveendran (@akhilaakku93)
BRYDON CARSE. ⚡️⚡️
Maiden Test five-for!!! 💪
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket)
Brydon Carse kookaburra sessions
— Dan (@danbooth21)
♋Yeah I’ve seen enough. Brydon Carse player of the series nex༒t winter and England winning the ashes 5-0
— TheCricketMen (@thecricketmen)
Brydon Carse averages 33.3 for Durham in first-class cricket. Having picked up his maiden five-fer, he averages 17.9 in Test cricket. Early days, but the perfect illustration of the different attributes required for fast bowl꧃ers in county and Test cricket.
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp)