Brydon Carsey took six second-innings wickets and 10 in the match before Jacob Bethel’s blistering debut fifty in England’s eight-wicket win over New Zealand on day four of the first Test in Christchurch.
Bethel (50 off 37) smashed four boundaries off Nathan Smith, who dismissed him for 10 in the first innings, and nine in total as England chased down the target of 104 in 12.4 overs.
The 21-year-old nailed Smith for a six before smashing the game-sealing single.
The condition of Ben Stokes’ back will be a concern for the tourists ahead of the second Test in Wellington on Friday after the skipper stepped on the ball while bowling and was unable to complete the job, although he remained on the field and said during the post-game presentation that he was just controlling his body.
England captain Ben Stokes stood up while bowling at Hagley Oval on the fourth morning
Zach Crowley’s form could also be a concern, after the opener followed up his first-innings duck with a single in the second to Matt Henry, whose best score is just 29 from his last six Test knocks.
Bethel and Ben Duckett (27 off 18) eased their nerves to take England to fifty in seven overs before Joe Root hit an unbeaten 23 in his 150th Test after a rare duck.
New Zealand resumed on 155-6, leading by just 4, after Chris Woakes’ two-wicket haul, including Kane Williamson’s 61, had put England in complete control the previous evening.
Daryl Mitchell (84) scored his 13th Test fifty, adding 45 with last-man Will O’Rourke (5no) before dismissing Carsey (6-42) in an extended first session as the Black Caps were bowled out for 254- who late
Earlier, Carsey Smith (21) and Henry (1) were bowled by neutrals on day eight, while Gus Atkinson had Tim Southee (12) caught at deep midwicket as the New Zealander attempted his third six innings and the 96th of his Test career :
Carse (centre) now has 19 wickets in his first three Tests at an average of 17.10
Carsey is the first England bowler to take a 10-wicket haul away from home since off-spinner Monty Panesar in India in 2012 and Ryan Sidebottom in New Zealand 16 years ago.
England aiming for a long awaited series win in New Zealand
England can now clinch a first series win in New Zealand since 2008 if they beat Wellington Bass Reserves before the series ends and Southee bows out of Test cricket from December 14 at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Stokes looked back to his best with the bat and as a leader in his native Christchurch after a difficult time in Pakistan in October when he returned from a hamstring injury, so England will hope this latest problem with his body is not serious.
England lost 2-1 in Pakistan and head into the New Zealand series having lost three of their last four Tests, after also going down to Sri Lanka at the Kia Oval in September.
England will play New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington from December 6
New Zealand, in contrast, cruised to a 3-0 victory in India as they became the first away team to win a series in the country since Sir Alastair Cook’s England in 2012.
The Kiwis may have started the England series as favourites, and found themselves in a promising position in this Test, before their own clumsiness contributed heavily to the crushing defeat.
A flurry of ill-advised batting saw New Zealand improve to 348 in their first innings, while they then dropped eight catches in England, allowing their opponents to recover from 71-4 to 499.
Brooke and Carsey shine for England as NZ rue dropped the catch
Harry Brook (171) profited after being bowled five times, first on 18, while Stokes (80) made 30 before scoring his highest score since his 155 in the 2023 Lord’s Ashes Test.
Harry Brook scored 171 for England, his seventh century in 22 Tests, after being dismissed five times.
Stokes’ runs were huge for England, along with a 77 off wicketkeeper Olly Pope from No.6 after he averaged 11 in Pakistan and questions were raised about his place.
England now have a decision to make ahead of the Wellington Test, with Durham’s uncapped wicketkeeper Ollie Robinson joining the squad to replace the injured Jordan Cox (broken thumb).
The tourists can bring Pope back at No.3, bring in Robinson and drop Bethel, or keep the winning XI and keep Pope in what would probably feel more natural lower down the order.
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Sky Sports’ Ian Ward looks at the impact Carrey has had on England’s Test bowling line-up
Bethel’s game on day four means England may be tempted to stay as they are, although Stokes’ form could complicate matters.
Bowling-wise, Karse’s pace, bounce and Kookaburra’s ability to move the ball are promising signs ahead of the next Winter Ashes, while off-spinner Shoaib Bashir took four wickets on the opening day, albeit thanks to the aforementioned weak Kiwi batting.
New Zealand’s defeat means their hopes of reaching the final of the World Test Championship at Lord’s next summer are now incredibly remote, with even wins against England in their last two games unlikely to be enough.
Stokes hails ‘incredible’ Brooke and ‘workhorse’ Carrs
England captain Ben Stokes.
Stokes hails Christchurch win as ‘very good start’
“I’m very happy with the way we performed all week. They put us under pressure on the second day, so to be able to get a big score in the first innings was great.
“When the opposition are catching left, right and centre, you want to go on and make that big score and Brooky (Harry Brook) is an incredible player, an incredible talent.
“To have someone of his ability in our middle order is outstanding, he’s constantly trying to put pressure on the bowlers and he goes for it.
“I also thought our bowlers were pretty relentless so it was a very good start.
“I grew up with Brydon (Cars) in our Durham days and knew his potential and talent, so to see him make such an impact is amazing.
“He’s a hard worker and will charge all day, whether the conditions are in his favor or not.
Latham. No one wants to be hunted
New Zealand captain Tom Latham, who dropped three of his eight catches to go down;
“No one wants to miss catches. But I guess when you give some quality players a chance, sometimes it can hurt you.
“We weren’t at our best but we know how volatile this game can be. We’ll go to Wellington and stay at a reasonable level.”
England test tour of New Zealand
- First test (Church of Christ). England win by eight wickets
- Second test. December 6-10 (Wellington)
- Third test. December 14-18 (Hamilton)
