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Cricket world in meltdown over 'insane' scenes in New Zealand Test

The extraordinary scenes have left cricket fans around the world in a frenzy.

andrew reid
·4-min read
New Zealand sealed one of the most dramatic Test wins against England in recent memory. Pic: Getty
New Zealand sealed one of the most dramatic Test wins against England in recent memory. Pic: Getty

New Zealand have clinched a special slice of cricket history after wrapping up one of the most dramatic Test victories against England on day five in Wellington. In a stunning second Test that contained so many twists and turns, New Zealand became just the fourth side in history to win a match after being asked to follow on.

Starting the day at 1-48 after being set 258 for victory, England looked on track to record their second straight win after a crucial 95 runs from Joe Root. However, the home side gave themselves a sniff after a flurry of wickets, before Neil Wagner sealed a one-run win after removing England quick James Anderson with the visitors on the verge of victory.

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Anderson attempted to score the runs required for victory with a glance down the leg side, after the tea break was delayed by four overs with the end in sight. However, Anderson and his teammates looked on in horror as the veteran fast bowler feathered an edge towards Kiwi wicketkeeper, Tom Blundell.

The New Zealand gloveman threw himself to the right, before snaffling a brilliant diving catch to break English hearts. The nail-biting finish sparked wild scenes of celebration for the home side and their fans watching, as the cricket world took to social media in disbelief at the extraordinary scenes.

NZ capitalise on England collapse to win thriller

England's chase got off to a horrible start, with Harry Brook run out by Root without facing a ball. It came after night-watchman Ollie Robinson was dismissed for two, before Ben Duckett was caught behind for 33.

Ollie Pope was then caught at slip for 14 before Brook was run out in embarrassing fashion as England soon found themselves 5-80. The match took another drastic turn when Root and Ben Stokes steadied the ship to get England to 5-168 at lunch - only 90 runs away from victory.

The experienced English pair looked to be wrestling the match away from New Zealand before the momentum once against took a significant turn. Root and Stokes were dismissed in quick succession in the second session, leaving the match on a knife's edge.

Stokes went for 33 off 116 balls, before Root fell on 95 when he was caught by Bracewell off Wagner. Matt Henry then sent Stuart Broad packing to take the eighth wicket, with England still needing 45 runs to win.

England's Joe Root drops his bat after being caught on 95 runs during day five of the second Test against New Zealand.
England's Joe Root drops his bat after being caught on 95 runs during day five of the second Test against New Zealand. Pic: Getty

A crucial 35 from Ben Foakes looked to have gotten England home but when he fell to New Zealand skipper Tim Southee, the visitors were still seven runs short of their victory target with only one wicket left. When Anderson slogged Wagner to the boundary, the visitors needed just one run for a tie.

The drama intensified next over as Southee delivered a clutch maiden over to ramp up the pressure on England. When Wagner returned the very next over, he claimed the crucial scalp of Anderson to finish with figures of 4-62 in the second innings and complete a Test victory for the ages for New Zealand.

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