Image Credit- Sky Sports.
Venue- Basin Reserve, Wellington [February 2023].
In the summer of 2023, English Cricket Team toured New Zealand to play a 2 match test series. The visitors won the first test at Mount Maunganui comfortably and all eyes were now set for the second test in Basin Reserve. The Kiwi skipper Tim Southee won the toss and elected to field first. The decision turned out to be a good one as the Kiwis picked up 3 quick wickets. The English Scorecard read 21/3 and this is when Harry Brook joined Joe Root at the crease.
In such a situation the batting team usually goes on backfoot. But this was a new England Side lead by their courageous coach Brendon McCullum. The English started a strong counterattack and in no time the pressure shifted upon the hosts. The duo of Root and Brook batted for nearly 60 overs and stitched a partnership of massive 302 runs. By the time Harry Brook was dismissed, the English Scorecard read 323/4. Harry Brook scored an incredible 186 of 176 deliveries. His innings consisted of 24 boundaries and 5 sixes. Furthermore, Joe Root also scored a remarkable century. He scored 153 of 224 deliveries as England declared at a score of 435/8.
In response the Kiwis were bowled out for mere 209 runs in their first innings. Barring Skipper Tim Southee, no other Kiwi Batsman was able to cross the 50 runs mark. Stuart Broad picked up 4 whereas Anderson and Jack Leach picked up 3 wickets each. The English had a lead of 226 runs, and this is when Captain Stokes decided to enforce the follow-on.
This time the Kiwi openers [Latham and Conway] gave a solid start to their team as both of them scored half-centuries. However, it was their former Captain Kane Williamson who rose up to the occasion with a brilliant 132. Williamson played a calm and composed knock and ensured that his side sets a respectable target for the visitors. Apart from Williamson, Tom Blundell, Daryl Mitchell too contributed with the bat as the hosts were bowled out for 483 in their second innings. Jack Leach was the leading wicket taker for the visitors in the second innings as he picked up a 5-fer.
The English needed 258 runs to win the game and series. It was not a tough target to chase, but it wasn't going to be easy either. The English Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave visitors a solid start. However, the hosts made a strong comeback and at one stage the English scorecard read 80/5. The match was well in the hands of the hosts. However, this is when Captain Stokes joined Joe Root in the crease. The duo started batting sensibly and brought visitors closer to the target.
The English Scorecard now read 201/5. They needed just 57 runs to win the game with 5 wickets in hand and this is when there was another twist in the tale. Neil Wagner came steaming in and dismissed Ben Stokes [33] and Joe Root [95] in quick succession. Matt Henry dismissed Stuart Broad and in no time the English Scorecard went from 201/5 to 215/8. The game again went in favor of the hosts. But Ben Foakes along with Jack Leach batted sensibly and took the English past 250. However, Captain Southee dismissed Foakes for 35 and the English were now 251/9.
The English needed 7 runs; the Kiwis needed 1 wicket. Test Cricket at its very best. Furthermore, the boundary of James Anderson brought this margin to 2 runs. The visitors were just one shot away of the glory and this is when Anderson nicked the delivery of Wagner to the keeper. The hosts had won the game by 1 run and levelled the series one each. The memories from 2005 Ashes came back when Michael Kasprowicz nicked one of Harmison to Jones and brought England back to the series.
It was indeed a test match to remember.
To watch the highlights of this test, click on the URLs below-
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