Twitter Reactions: Neil Wagner's fifer fires New Zealand to innings win

Bouncing back in style after losing the T20Is, New Zealand thrashed England by an innings and 65 runs in the first Test at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. With Trent Boult walking off the field due to pain in ribs, Neil Wagner stepped up and picked up a five-wicket haul to propel his side to a deserving win in the final session of the game.

As far as England are concerned, they have been left to rue the chances that came their way in the game. They were a little more than 20 overs away from securing a draw and would have done it had their batsmen showed some resistance. Previously in the game, their bowlers had also failed to make the chances count after reducing the home side to 127 for 4.

England had no answer to BJ Watling as the New Zealand wicketkeeper went on to score his maiden double ton. He was well supported by Mitchell Santner as the spinner scored his first Test ton as the due shared a record stand of 261 runs. That big partnership firmly put New Zealand in the driver’s seat and unlike the visitors, they went on to make their chances count.

Poor batting display from England

It was all about survival for England when they started the day on 55 for 3, still trailing New Zealand’s first innings total of 615 for 9 (declared) by 262 runs. Joe Denly and skipper Joe Root had to take the onus on themselves and negate the tricky opening moments. The two did show resistance as they began England’s quest of stonewalling the hosts.

But their resistance did not last long as things changed when Kane Williamson introduced Colin de Grandhomme in the attack. The medium-pacer went on to dismiss Root to leave England reeling at 69 for 4. But Denly and Ben Stokes made sure that the home side does not make further inroads as the tourists did not lose any other wicket in the first session.

Denly and Stokes had to dig deep in the second session to brighten up their team’s chances. Stokes started well by hitting the first ball of the session from Mitchell Santner for a four. But the England pair had no answer to a superb spell with the old ball from Tim Southee. The New Zealand veteran went on to break the stand by castling Stokes and put the visitors on the back foot once again.

England then lost Denly, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler inside 17 runs to find themselves reeling at 138 for 8 from 121 for 4. Sam Curran and Jofra Archer saw off the remaining overs in the second session to take the game to the final one. But their resistance did not lose long as Wagner dismissed Archer and Stuart Broad on successive deliveries to bowl out England for 197.

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