NZ beat ENG by an innings and 49 runs | England vs New Zealand, Highlights And Cricket Score 1st Test Match

Yet another pink-ball Test match has yielded result. The cricketing world is yet to see a drawn day-night Test. England were thoroughly outplayed in this one by the Kiwis. But they need not be dejected. They have another chance to make a comeback in the series. The second Test begins on 30th March, 2018 at 1100 local (2200 GMT, the previous day). See ya then! Ta-ta! Take care, aficionados!

Kane Williamson, the victorious Kiwi skipper, is happy with the win and credits the first innings efforts with the ball for the same. Adds that they did well to face the opposition bowling which is full of quality. States that they always look to execute their plans and feel good that they came off in this game. Feels proud about the partnerships in this innings. Mentions about England's bowling being good which reflects in the slow pace of their stands. Opines that their plan in the game was to always focus on the present and not to look far too ahead. About Todd Astle, he says that the bowling was good from him. Adds that he had to bide his time and came good when he was summoned. Agrees that it is tough to snatch the ball away from an energetic cricketer like Neil Wagner. Ends looking forward to keeping up this good work in the following Test.

Joe Root, the English skipper, says that this was a bad game for them. Admits to it being difficult to get back in the game after a poor start like they had. States that they couldn't generate much swing with the ball. Says that the fight that they showed today was something he wishes to see more. Reckons that his finger is good and he should be fit for the next Test. Ends saying that he needs to improve on his own game going forward.

Trent Boult is the Man of the Match for his 9-99 in this game. He reckons that the way they achieved the win was terrific. States the importance of picking up 20 wickets in a Test match. Opines that today they needed some hard work to skittle out the opposition. Mentions about the night session being the best one for the bowlers in the day-night Tests.

For the home side, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Todd Astle picked up 3 wickets each, with Tim Southee picking one. The way Wagner was charging in on this final day would have made any pacer proud. The venom in his spell just HAD TO translate into wickets and rightly so, he was the one with the decisive wickets of Stokes and Woakes in this innings. Presentation follows in a bit...

The final day began with an early wicket (Dawid Malan). But then, Ben Stokes spent some time in the middle along with Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. The English keeper couldn't make use of a couple of lives to string a big one. Stokes then stuck in their with Chris Woakes for 83 runs. Although both of them got past their half centuries, it wasn't enough to avert an innings defeat.

With a mountain of runs in front, the English batters, basically had to see off some four and a half sessions to salvage a draw. Often, the game tests you psychologically. Although Alastair Cook departed soon, Mark Stoneman and Joe Root kept them in the game with an 88-run stand. But then both of them departed. The skipper fell on what turned out to be the last delivery of the penultimate day to swing the balance decisively in the hosts' favour.

About Test matches, it is often said that if you bat once and bat big, often you are in a safe position. New Zealand did just that. First Kane Williamson and then Henry Nicholls struck magnificent tons to deflate the English bowlers. Although they didn't have any triple-figure stand, the contributions of the duo apart from some more useful ones helped them post a big score. For the tourists, James Anderson and Stuart Broad picked up three apiece but couldn't do much to prevent a 369-run lead.

The seeds of this terrific win was sown on the first day when Trent Boult and Tim Southee combined to bowl England out for 58. The left-arm pacer's six-fer absolutely destroyed the visitors. In helpful conditions after winning the toss, the Kiwis didn't have to look for any other option than the two seamers. The final wicket stand of 31 runs for England helped them at least cross the 50-run mark.

Neil Wagner is caught up on the sidelines by Simon Doull. He states that his side stuck it out to end up victorious in this game. He reckons that the practice sessions helped them and hence the result isn't a surprise. Iterates that the pink ball shaped up well and the track also assisted it. Says that they will savor this win and celebrate in the dressing room.

Clinical! That's one word to describe the Kiwis' performance. They had to pick 7 wickets coming into the last day and although nobody would have had a doubt, they set about with their task in right earnest. Yes, there was a phase when wickets weren't coming. But that's when their resolve was steely and it showed in the end result.

Todd Astle to James Anderson. OUT! It's all over! Astle floats it full outside off. Anderson, for some reason best known to him, goes after it. Looks to hit it over mid off but ends up doing so straight to Trent Boult there. And yes, this time, he doesn't drop it. NEW ZEALAND END UP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RESULT BY AN INNINGS AND 49 RUNS!

Neil Wagner to James Anderson. Anderson gets it off the inner half past short leg for a single to retain strike.

Neil Wagner to James Anderson. On a length outside off, Anderson pushes it towards point.

Neil Wagner to James Anderson. This ball is defended from within the crease.

Neil Wagner to James Anderson. On a length down the leg side, Anderson wants to flick it away but is unable to do so.

Neil Wagner to Chris Woakes. OUT! That's it probably! Neil Wagner's short-ball tactics do it for the Kiwis yet again. Bangs it short in line of the stumps, it comes at him quickly. Woakes hops to keep it out but is unable to do anything apart from getting it off the splice. It lobs up in the air and Nicholls does the rest at short leg. Wagner runs screaming in celebration. We know how he must be feeling after bowling long spells and giving it all. Just reward for all his efforts. Woakes departs after a valiant innings filled with quality. Only a wicket more needed for a Kiwi 1-0 lead.

Neil Wagner to Chris Woakes. Banged short on the stumps, Woakes gets out of the way.

Todd Astle to Stuart Broad. Another wrong 'un around middle and leg, Stuart lunges forward but misses his defense. Passes the outside edge by not much.

Todd Astle to Stuart Broad. Quicker wrong 'un around leg, Broad gets pinged on the front pad. An appeal follows, turned down. Perhaps pitching outside leg.

Todd Astle to Stuart Broad. Loopy ball outside off, Broad gets forward to block. But the ball doesn't spin in as much and he gets beaten on the outside edge.

Todd Astle to Chris Woakes. Flighted delivery on a fuller length, Woakes pushes it towards mid on and runs in quickly for one.

Todd Astle to Chris Woakes. Flatter outside off, CW leaves it alone.

Todd Astle to Chris Woakes. Floats it around middle and leg, defended with a slight lunge.