New Zealand stun England in dramatic Test match
New Zealand stunned England in a dramatic conclusion to their second Test match, claiming victory with a run in the Basin Reserve.
After in-form hitter Harry Brook helped the visitors, he hit a whopping total of 8/435d. in their first innings and bowled the Black Caps for 209, it looked like the Brendon McCullum-led side would win the two-game series.
New Zealand bounced back in their second ditch thanks to a dismal century from former skipper Kane Williamson, who posted 483 overall and seeded 257 overall for the game’s final innings.
In the process, England managed to become only the fourth team in Test cricket history to lose after enforcing the follow-on.
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After sending superstar Joe Root on the way for 95, Neil Wagner (4/62) would left arm take James Anderson’s last wicket to give the Kiwis a one-wicket win by the slimmest margin.
NEIL WAGNER WIN IT FOR NEW ZEALAND! #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/yv1ZI8r3f7
– ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 28, 2023
The Test’s dramatic ending would send social media into overdrive, with many describing it as the greatest match in cricket history.
My pulse is through the roof – and I was lying on my couch! And I didn’t care who won!!!
Test cricket is simply the best.
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) February 28, 2023
FFS. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
What a game. Congratulations New Zealand, condolences England. Wonderful test game. gutted. Good night. #NZvENG— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 28, 2023
BAZ BALL IS DEAD!
England lose after enforcing follow-on!!#NZvENG
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 28, 2023
No better game in the world than Test Cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) February 28, 2023
What a fabulous test! Two rarities: only the second one-run win in Test history (out vs. WI, Adelaide, 1992-93); and the only fourth consecutive Test win (Aus v Eng, Syd 1894-95, Eng v Aus, Headingley 1981 and Ind v Aus, Kolkata 2000-01). #TestIsConfirm
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) February 28, 2023
WOW!!! What a finish!! Test match cricket is the best drama… @BLACKCAPS Get a wicket with @englandcricket You only need 2 runs to win!
I will remember this finish for a long time. #NZvENG #Cricket— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) February 28, 2023
There was some controversy, however, with a potential wide being ruled a legal delivery by the umpires on the field and Wagner taking the final wicket moments later.
Next ball – NZ wins.
Should have been a draw test. https://t.co/5O7XUlOfRD— Mark Allen (@MarkAllenGolf) February 28, 2023
That’s every day of the week and twice on Sunday… #NZvENG
— TAB (@tabcomau) February 28, 2023
The series will end in a 1-1 draw, but there will not be a cricket fan anywhere in the world who will soon forget this test.