NEW DELHI: England secured a commanding eight-wicket victory in the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday, efficiently reaching their target of 104 runs on day four to lead 1-0 in the three-match series.
Whilst Zak Crawley managed only one run and Ben Duckett scored 27, Test debutant Jacob Bethell and veteran Joe Root, in his 150th Test match, guided the visitors to victory before the tea interval.
Bethell reached his half-century off 37 balls with a single to deep square leg that sealed the win, accompanied by Root’s contribution of 23 runs from 15 balls.
Harry Brook, whose crucial first-innings score of 171 proved decisive, remained unused in the grandstand, fully padded up.
Earlier, Brydon Carse delivered an impressive performance in his third Test, claiming six wickets for 42 runs as England bowled out New Zealand for 254 before lunch, setting up the victory opportunity.
Despite Daryl Mitchell’s resilient 84, the hosts could only delay the outcome, with England confident of chasing any target around 100 on the favourable batting conditions at Hagley Oval.
New Zealand started the day precariously at 155-6, leading by just four runs. Carse secured his first Test five-wicket haul by dismissing Nathan Smith and Matt Henry in quick succession.
Tim Southee, in his farewell series, struck two sixes, bringing his Test total to 95, before Joe Root caught him at deep midwicket off Gus Atkinson’s bowling.
England experienced a brief concern when captain Ben Stokes pulled up whilst bowling, requiring Atkinson to complete his over.
Carse completed his first ten-wicket match haul when Chris Woakes caught Mitchell in the deep, adding to his first-innings figures of 4-64.
The series continues with the second Test in Wellington on Friday before concluding in Hamilton.
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