Kiwis show they can fly, win thriller against England in second Test

When one talks cricket and England, the Bazball phrase comes readily to mind. All that did not work on a day the Kiwis came out firing on all cylinders.

Kiwis show they can fly, win thriller against England in second Test

NZ vs ENG

Whoever said Test cricket was boring and there were no takers for it will have a change of heart after what the Black Caps did to England. On Tuesday morning, depending on the time zone one was in, the Kiwis came out with flying colours as they scraped past England by one run in the second Test.

This was a short and sweet two Test series but the way the Kiwis performed was sensational. This was the fourth win in Tests by a one-run margin, overall, coming for NZ after being forced to follow-on. Reactions on social media were raging as this kind of high voltage performance is usually seen in white ball cricket, or so one thought.

Red ball cricket has been fighting for its own identity, its own credibility. The more one watches Test matches these days, it’s amply clear the quality of cricket is riveting. Considering the hoop and hoopla over England’s win in the first Test, for the hosts to spring back like this was least expected.

One thing is certain, with Kane Williamson, never take the Kiwis for granted. Kane was player of the match but the day belonged to Neil Wagner. His four for 62 rocked England and swung it in favor of the Kiwis. The medium fast seam bowler claimed the last wicket of legend James Anderson. That was most decisive and the margin of victory provided plenty of thrills and spills.

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From the English point of view, losing this Test means a lot

Kiwis show they can fly, win thriller against England in second Test
NZ vs ENG

For cocky England, losing this Test was a big blow to their ego and morale. They are preparing for the Ashes at home. Sample this, Australia are doddering in India and England have been pushed to despair by New Zealand, which was least expected. This last day had all the trappings of how cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. cliché? No, this match kept people awake in England and ensured people in India would also rise early to catch the action.

When one talks cricket and England, the Bazball phrase comes readily to mind. All that did not work on a day the Kiwis came out firing on all cylinders. Joe Root and Ben Stokes had provided a glimmer of hope, but the script changed dramatically on Tuesday. From the English point of view, losing this Test means a lot. They do not emerge as best prepared for the Ashes, even though there is enough time for the contest between traditional rivals England and Australia. James Anderson was expected to fire with the bat as well but failed. He had charged against Wagner but it was too good to last.

“Going down to the last day, being in that situation in the last half-hour, it’s everything you wish for. Even though we came out on the wrong side of it you can’t help but feel blessed we’ve managed to be part of an incredible game like that,” said England captain Ben Stokes.

“It’s disappointing to not win, obviously, but you look at the bigger picture about what everyone has enjoyed and seen here, it’s probably bigger than any disappointment at the moment,” added Stokes.

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