New Zealand registered a historic victory against England in the second Test of the two-match Test series. Kiwis beat England by the barest margin of one run at the Basin Reserve, Wellington on Tuesday. This was one of the greatest comebacks as Kiwis had to follow on after their first innings.
On Day 5 of the game, England started their run chase from 48 for 1. They needed 210 runs more to win the second Test but their start was not so good as they lost Ollie Robinson, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook in quick succession. England was restricted to 80 for five in the very first hour of the game.
To rescue England former captain Joe Root and current skipper Ben Stokes batted for a full session and added 131 runs for the 6th wicket. Root scored 83 runs off 113 balls while Stokes scored 33 runs off 116 balls. Both were dismissed by Neil Wagner who shined with the bowl for the hosts. Wagner took four wickets including the last wicket of James Anderson.
Watch the final moments here:
The players reaction, the crowd reaction, the ecstasy in commentary – this is pure gold to witness.
New Zealand have created history! pic.twitter.com/Pw6WuMV2ja
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 28, 2023
James Anderson once again failed to save England
Senior England pacer James Anderson once again failed to save England in the nail-biting Test match. Anderson was forced to face some last balls of the game to draw the match for the visitors. However, Wagner pulled out the best of him and handed Kiwis a 1-run victory.
Notably, last time in Sri Lanka in a similar situation when England needed to survive two balls to draw the match Anderson got out on the second last ball of the game. Although this has been one of the best games in the history of Test Cricket. In the last 22 years, New Zealand becomes the only second team After India won a game after being forced to follow on.
Meanwhile, Fans react to the amazing game of cricket and call it the best comeback ever. A Twitter user said, “feel for Anderson once again he failed to save England.”
Here are some Tweets:
What a Match Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/kxN2IVAYOW
— Umessh Malik🇮🇳 (@umeshm712) February 28, 2023
One can feel for Anderson.
Got out on last (second last?) ball of the 5th day against Srilanka & failed to drew that match and now failed to score remaining 2 runs.But what a match though. One for ages!!#NZvENG
— Akshay (@realakshay5) February 28, 2023
This is how test matches should be. Then there's BCCI that prepares pitches where only one sided games can happen🤢🤢🤢
— Bakri Player (@cric_nerd2) February 28, 2023
What a match! Kudos to NZ for not giving up and fighting till the end.
— Anurag Choudhary (@AnuragC01) February 28, 2023
When Bat Ball beats Baz Ball and test cricket is played the way it is meant to be…..
— B H I S H M A (@uditan98) February 28, 2023
One of the best test matches in recent times, giving the famous Eden Garden test vibes..🤩
— Gyanu (@ImAmardeep007) February 28, 2023
2nd best test match ever after England vs Australia where stokes won the game for England
— Ritesh (@Riteshsh108) February 28, 2023
Bumrah right now😂😂 pic.twitter.com/sjnFMelBFU
— Cricket_#6 (@My_cricket26) February 28, 2023
What a match it was
Test cricket is hard Test cricket is true….♥️
— Chirag kudu 🇮🇳 (@chirag_kudu) February 28, 2023
Newzealand still yet to win a test series in this cycle pic.twitter.com/qr5bHKMm4Y
— Sanjay (@Bhargav4899) February 28, 2023
— Sunny Cricket (@CricketKiBaat18) February 28, 2023
Great ad for test cricket & New Zealand grit
— Rakesh Mehra (@RakeshM19753275) February 28, 2023
