Wagner fifer helps Kiwis thrash England in 1st Test
MOUNT MAUNGANUI: A fiery fivewicket burst from Neil Wagner sealed a comprehensive innings and 65 runs victory for New Zealand over England late on the final day of the first Test in Mount Maunganui on Monday.
It put New Zealand in an unbeatable position in the twoTest series and extended their home streak to a remarkable seven series without defeat.
England were on the ropes with only two wickets remaining at tea before Sam Curran and Jofra Archer staged a late rally with a 59-run stand for the ninth wicket.
But with fewer than 22 overs remaining in the match, Wagner brought proceedings to an abrupt halt when he removed Archer and Stuart Broad, the last man in, with successive balls.
England had started the final day at three for 55 and 207 runs away from making New Zealand bat again.
In what began as a dogged fight for survival they crept along with a mere 66 runs off the first 41 overs for the loss of only Joe Root’s wicket for 11 -- completing a disappointing match for the England skipper after his two in the first innings.
Ben Stokes joined Joe Denly to continue England’s defiance until nine overs after lunch when their patience ran out and New Zealand cashed in.
Stokes, on 28, chased a wide Tim Southee delivery that should have been left and chopped it on to his stumps.
Wagner, who had been wicketless at that stage, revved up his left-arm bouncers and accounted for Joe Denly, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler in quick succession as England lost four wickets for 17 runs.
Denly, who delivered a solid 74 for England in the first innings, top-scored the second time around with 35 before he was caught behind. Pope was on six when, like Stokes, he chased a ball he should have left alone.
ARCHER RACIALLY ABUSED, NZC SORRY
New Zealand Cricket will contact Jofra Archer to apologise after a fan racially abused the England fast bowler.
The England and New Zealand cricket boards launched a probe after Archer said he was subjected to racial insults by a spectator while batting during the final day.
Archer scored 30 and combined in a 59-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Sam Curran to delay the hosts’ victory.
“A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team, the crowd has been amazing this week except for that one guy,” the 24-year-old said on Twitter.
Brief scores:
England 353 and 197 (Joe Denly 35, Rory Burns 31, Neil Wagner 5/44); New Zealand 615/9 declared