Cricket: Black Caps suffer a heavy defeat

New Zealand batsman Michael Bracewell returns to the dressing room. New Zealand Black Caps v England. Day 4 of the first day/night cricket Test match at Bay Oval, Tauranga, New Zealand. February 19, 2023. (Photo by Andrew Cornaga / Photosport)
Picture: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

In England’s ‘Bazball’ revolution, the tourists have claimed a resounding 267-run victory over New Zealand in the opening session of the fourth day of the first Test at the Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui.

Daryl Mitchell was still in for a shock with Stuart Broad’s brilliant spell with the pink ball on Saturday night. He was the only one of the last five Black Caps batsmen to offer any real resistance as they were bundled out for 126 in their second innings.

It was England’s first Test win in New Zealand since 2008 and 10th in 11 matches since former Black Caps skipper Brendon “Baz” McCullum and Christchurch-born Ben Stokes took over as coach and captain.

Broad toiled in vain for his 20th five-wicket haul in Tests, finishing with figures of 4-49, but his partner James Anderson (4-18) stepped in to lead New Zealand’s tail sweep.

World Test champions New Zealand had gone on to win 63-5 in a mammoth task to chase down 394, but England quickly returned to their dominance of the night before.

Michael Bracewell took less than 10 minutes to spoon a Jack Leach delivery to Harry Brook at midwicket without adding to his 25 points for the night.

Scott Kuggeleijn came in and scored two runs from six balls before Anderson was trapped and skipper Tim Southee went for a golden duck on the next delivery, slotting the ball to Joe Root in the slips.

Mitchell dismissed Anderson’s hat-trick ball at the start of the England seamer’s next over and continued the match with an unbeaten 57 that saw the hosts narrowly reach three figures.

Neil Wagner (9) at the other end gave Anderson the third wicket with an edge behind and debutant number 11 Blair Tickner scored eight runs, keeping Mitchell at the club’s final wicket before Anderson took his stumps.

The second Test in Wellington starts with the red ball on Friday.

– Reuters