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The Bazballers had a good day out at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. First, Brydon Case wrapped up the Kiwi tail to bowl them out for 254 putting an end to Daryl Mitchell's fightback. Then England chased down the target of 104 in just 12.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. They broke the record for least overs taken to complete a 100-plus run chase in Test cricket history.
Debutant Jacob Bethell starred in the runchase with a 37-ball fifty. This is the second-fastest fifty on Test debut. On the other end, Joe Root scripted history too. With an unbeaten 15-ball 23 cameo, he broke legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs in fourth innings of his Test career.
New Zealand's overnight score was 155/6 with Mitchell batting on 31 and Nathan Smith new to the crease. Nathan hit a couple of fours before Carse trapped him in front of the wickets. He scored 21 runs from 44 balls. On the last ball of the same over, he got rid of Matt Henry as well. Tim Southee entertained the crowd with a couple of sixes off Gus Atkinson. In his next over, Atkison had the last laugh with Southee's wicket.
Mitchell reached his fifty from 132 balls. He had support from tailender William ORourke to take the lead past 100. Case returned to end Mitchell's fightback with a full delivery that was hit straight to long-off fielder Chris Woakes. Mitchell departed after scoring 84 runs from 167 balls including 12 fours and a six. New Zealand were bowled out for 254 from 74.1 overs.
Carse's massive feat
Carse took 10 wickets in the match. He became the first England bowler to do so in an away Test since left-arm spinner Monty Manesar's 11-wicket haul against India at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in 2012. He also became the first England pacer in 16 years to take a 10-wicket haul away from home. Interestingly, Sidebottom took it against New Zealand as well but in Hamilton. Carse's match figures of 10 for 106 is also the fourth-best for an England bowler in New Zealand.
Bethell stars on debut
In the run chase of 104, England lost opener Zak Crawley early. He got out caught and bowled to Henry. Ben Duckett looked to score quickly. He hit Southee for 16 runs in an over. 21-year-old Bethell joined the party. He hit Nathan for four fours in an over. ORourke ended Duckett's cameo in the eighth over. The opener scored 27 runs from 18 balls. In the same over, Root hit a hat-trick of fours. Bethell and Root hit one six each before the youngster finished the run chase and scored his maiden fifty as well. Bethell's 37-ball fifty is the second-fastest on Test debut.
The Ben Stokes-led England will eye a series win at Basin Reserve, Wellington in the second Test starting December 6.
