England completed an emphatic 267-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Sunday. This was England’s first Test victory in New Zealand since 2008, and their tenth win in eleven matches since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took the roles of captain and coach, respectively.
The English pacers snared the required five wickets in the opening session of play on Day 4, bundling out the Black Caps for 126 after they resumed their second innings at 63-5. Stuart Broad and James Anderson both grabbed four wickets each as England went 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Middle-order batter Harry Brook was adjudged the Player of the Match for his twin half-centuries (89 and 54) in the match.
“Another great performance, very clinical with the bat and very clinical with the ball. One of the most pleasing things is that whatever New Zealand threw at us we managed to react to that and come out on the positive side. It was entertaining cricket and that’s what we want to do,” said Stokes, the winning captain, at the post-match presentation.
The second Test of the series will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington from February 24-28.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to England’s win:
James Anderson picked 7/54 in the Test match against New Zealand – best bowling figures of the match.
– He'll be 41 soon, but he's dominating like no other!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 19, 2023
Say it again .. But this England test side is the best English team I have watched .. not saying they are the best ever side but for the way they play and attack & entertain they are the best .. Love it .. #NZvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 18, 2023
James Anderson in the first against New Zealand:
16.5-5-36-3
10.3-3-18-4He is 40-year-old, producing match winning spells in overseas, Jimmy is aging like a fine wine – he has 682 wickets in Tests. pic.twitter.com/rKHIkiZhvm
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 19, 2023
WHAT. A. TEAM.
🇳🇿 #NZvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/jnjODgwpkU
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 19, 2023
BazBall™️ reigns supreme in Mount Maunganui
England gain their first win in New Zealand for 15 years with a 267 run victory…
A dominant display 👏#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/MVoeaJFv2w
— Cricket on TNT Sports (@cricketontnt) February 19, 2023
James Anderson wrapped up New Zealand's tail.#INDvENG Scorecard: https://t.co/CSZdykWeuR #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/di3inAj4qc
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2023
That "Bazball" is a runaway success but is completely loathed as a term by its progenitor, is a pretty neat way to sum up how utterly nuts this Eng mens Test team are rnow. #NZvENG
— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) February 19, 2023
3️⃣rd Player Of The Match award in 5️⃣ Test matches 🔥#NZvENG #OrangeArmy pic.twitter.com/3y9p3EBTXM
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 19, 2023
🏴 ENGLAND WIN 🏴
That’s 10/11 now for Stokes & McCullum, ridiculous.#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/7UmNRF9fWJ
— England's Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) February 19, 2023
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼. This Test team. 😍
England win the first Test in New Zealand by 257 runs.#Edgbaston | #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/sivoUijjPF
— Edgbaston Stadium (@Edgbaston) February 19, 2023
Harry Brook is named Player of the Match 🏅#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/TjEBLmyBcZ
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) February 19, 2023