CHRISTCHURCH: Brydon Carse delivered a sensational performance, claiming six for 42 as England comfortably chased a modest 104-run target to defeat New Zealand by eight wickets in the first Test on Sunday. The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Zak Crawley was dismissed for one, and Ben Duckett contributed 27, but debutant Jacob Bethell and veteran Joe Root saw England home before tea on day four. Bethell, making an impressive debut, struck the winning run with a single to deep square leg, completing his maiden half-century in just 37 balls. Root, playing his 150th Test, added 23 runs off 15 deliveries in a steady partnership.
Harry Brook, who scored a match-defining 171 in the first innings, watched from the pavilion as England cruised to victory without needing his bat in the second innings.
The foundation of England’s triumph was laid by seamer Brydon Carse, who achieved a match haul of 10 wickets in only his third Test. His fiery spell in the second innings restricted New Zealand to 254, putting the visitors in a commanding position.
Reflecting on his performance, Carse said, “An amazing couple of days. To top it off today with getting a 10-fer and winning, an amazing feeling, and I’m very proud. We’ve still got two big games in this series, and we’ll see what the surfaces are like going forward.”
