Cricket News
‘By the barest of all-margins’ – New Zealand clinch stunning victory over England, win 2nd Test by just 1 run
England and New Zealand surely know how to play epic matches in cricket. In the past four years, the two teams have been spectacular and have given thrilling encounters for the fans to fall in love with the game.
England won the first Test comfortably and it felt like they would cruise in the second one as well. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first on a green wicket and even though they made early inroads into the England batting order, they were denied by a defiant Joe Root and ever-so-brilliant Harry Brooks.
The duo’s partnership meant England reached a good total of 435 and declared to ensure a result in the match. New Zealand batters toiled hard and even after an amazing knock from skipper Tim Southee, England made the hosts follow on after a huge first-innings lead.
How did the second innings pan out?
New Zealand batters came out with a better approach in the second innings as a first-wicket partnership of 149 gave them just the boost they needed. Former skipper Kane Williamson was back to his brilliant self as he notched up his 26th Test hundred. He along with assistance from some of the other batters ensured that New Zealand had something to fight for.
Jack Leach’s fifer in the second innings made sure that New Zealand didn’t run away with the lead. With more than 100 overs of play still left and England needing 257 runs to win, another Test victory for Ben Stokes and co. looked on the cards, but what unfolded was nothing short of spectacular.
England lost Zak Crawley late into Day 4 as England still needed 209 runs to win at the start of the final day of the series. New Zealand bowlers staged a comeback twice in the second innings. They had England reeling at 80/5 before former skipper Joe Root and current captain Ben Stokes combined to take the team forward.
The match looked all set in England’s favour until Wagner took the wickets of the set batters and the fans had a game on their hands. Ben Foakes took the team close to the total but faltered during the last lap. James Anderson strangled one down the leg side of Wagner’s bowling when England needed two to win. This completed a famous comeback for New Zealand and won them the match.
Fans react to an epic game of Test cricket: –
Incredible scenes at the Basin Reserve. A thrilling end to the 2nd Test in Wellington 🏏 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/tyG7laNtdP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2023
Best test ever! 👏🏻🎉😎
— Alma 😷💉🇵🇸🇺🇦Rae (@almahawes) February 28, 2023
Just like the World Cup at Lords 2019 – The barest of margins!!
— tupps (@tupps9) February 28, 2023
Winning after being asked to follow on. And winning by just 1 run. What an advert for Test cricket! Well played @BLACKCAPS 👏🏽 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/ova8B2jNmJ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 28, 2023
This is the 4th time any team is winning after following on.
Here is the list of scores after following on #EngvsNZ #NZvsENG #Tests #Followingon #Following #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/udGGYPQSfg
— Rajesh (@rajp3006) February 28, 2023
— Rahul (@njairahul) February 28, 2023
— Rahul (@njairahul) February 28, 2023
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes joining the New Zealand dressing room.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/QjCBHXe6va
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) February 28, 2023
No better game in the world than Test cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) February 28, 2023
Look at Wagner go! What a beast!
Came to bowl in the 57th over with England 58 runs away. Stokes & Root in a 120-run stand.
Sent back Stokes, Root, took diving catch of Foakes and then took the last wicket….in an unbroken 9.2 over spell!!!#NZvENGpic.twitter.com/cZGdtMgVih
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 28, 2023
