Basin Reserve in Wellington delivered to us one of the most thrilling match in the history of Test cricket as home team New Zealand pulled-off a stunning 1 run victory over the recently dominant team in Test cricket, England.
The 2nd Test match of the 2 match series was played at the Basin Reserve with the visiting team leading the series going into the match having won the 1st match Mount Maunganui.
New Zealand needed a victory to draw the series. It was New Zealand captain Tom Southee who won the toss and opted to bowl first. England scored 435 runs in the 1st inning thanks to centuries from Joe Root (153 runs) and Harry Brook (186 runs).
The Kiwis were bundled out for 209 runs in their 1st inning, leading to England enforcing a follow-on. In the 2nd inning, with a crucial century from Kane Williamson (132 runs) and big contributions from Tom Latham (83 runs) and Tom Blundell (90 runs), New Zealand put on 483 runs on the board, setting a target of 258 runs for the English side.
New Zealand bowlers struck 5 wickets early for just 80 runs. But then, Joe Root played a brilliant inning as he scored 95 runs with support from captain Ben Stokes.
But once the duo were gone, England were down to 8 wickets for 215 runs, requiring still some good chunk of runs. Ben Foakes was a big hope for the England side, but the batter also departed after scoring 35 runs. It was all on James Anderson and Jack Leach to take the team over the line.
Despite valiant effort, Neil Wagner took the final wicket of James Anderson when England still needing 2 runs to win, leading to New Zealand record a historic 1 run victory over the Three Lions. Checkout how Twitterati reacted to the same.
Historic moment in Test cricket – Take a bow, Kiwis. pic.twitter.com/i5SuzGoEbY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 28, 2023
So bazzball has been defeated. Kiwis has done that. England will also feel tuff roads in India too on turning tracks. But what a game ! What a comeback from NZ. One of the best test matches. Thats why test match is ❤.
— Shakti Man 💥 (@IamShaktiMann) February 28, 2023
The last time, a team won after following on were team India under @SGanguly99 two decades back. NZ just gave their audience their best ever test victory. Following on and winning by the least margin.
— Harshit Soni (@htsoni) February 28, 2023
What a Test match, who said test matches are boring
— Team India 🇮🇳 (@krirapremi) February 28, 2023
They show us again that Test cricket is all about patience. What a victory after follow-on. Finally NZ on the right side of a thriller
— Anmol Joshi (@anmol_joshi05) February 28, 2023
Just like the World Cup at Lords 2019 – The barest of margins!!
— tupps (@tupps9) February 28, 2023
You can’t ever write off these black caps; they’re absolutely amazing.well done Kiwis 👏
— DaDa 🧢 (@AsifSabir77) February 28, 2023
