It was the fourth victory in the history test cricket for the team that was required to continue it, and was the second time that a team been able to win a test with just one hit
Neil Wagner took four wickets and took two crucial catches when New Zealand pulled off a “Mission Improbable defeating England with one-run margin in their second Test on the fifth day, which was a nervous one after being asked to continue with.
It was the only victory in the history test cricket won by the team that was who were asked to repeat the win it, and was the second time that a team has taken a victory in a match by one run following West Indies beat Australia by the same margin in Adelaide in 1993.
After having set England 258 as the favourites the series, New Zealand’s hopes diminished as Joe Root (95) and Ben Stokes (33) produced an 121-run partnership to reduce the score to 57 with five wickets available on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in the Basin Reserve.
Enter Wagner. He was two out, slogging away, and then caught catches within the deeps to eliminate Stuart Broad (11) and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for 35.
Foakes’s wicket left the tailenders Jack Leach and James Anderson needing seven runs to win and Anderson struck the boundary off Wagner to cut the deficit by two.
Wagner was back and had Anderson pulled on the leg side for four, which sparked a celebration in all the New Zealand players and fans.
Wagner who was a perfect 462 in the fourth inning. This is what the team’s about, so keep going.
The two-match match ended in a 1-1 draw with England winning the opening test at Mount Maunganui by 267 runs.
Kane Williamson was named Man of the Match. He scored a dazzling 132 runs in the second innings of New Zealand as hosts posted 483 in the aftermath of England captain Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on.
The team’s amazing debut cricketer Harry Brook was named Man of the Series.
SPECIAL ONE
England is left to wonder what could have happened, having recommenced at 48 for one early in the early hours of the morning.
Although Root as well as Stokes were both responsible for their demise, they deserve a lot of credit for calming the chase after the four wickets were lost quickly.
Stokes was throwing the bat at an Wagner bouncer, and then top-edged it into the square leg. A moving Tom Latham took the catch.
Root who had played with a stunning bat in a 113-ball knock also swung at Wagner and sent a mistaken strike towards Michael Bracewell at midwicket.
Broad tried to drag his team through the line but instead he pushed Matt Henry straight to Wagner as the third man, who was in for 11.
Foakes and Leach led England to just seven runs. Foakes forced Captain Tim Southee to fine leg which was where a scrambling Wagner made a low catch leaving the tailenders unprotected.
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