Christchurch, December 1 (IANS) Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten half-century on debut and then career-best bowling by Brydon Carse (6-42) helped England win by eight wickets on the fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Sunday. Entered.
England’s eight-wicket win helped them take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and improved their World Test Championship standing point percentage to 43.75. New Zealand, on the other hand, saw their point percentage drop to 50 per cent and their WTC Final qualification chances suffered a huge blow.
After being reeling at 155/6 at Hagley Oval on the fourth day of the first Test against England, New Zealand added 99 runs to their overnight score as the Caress interrupted the hosts’ positive start in the morning session in the second innings on Sunday. Was bundled out for 254 runs.
Carse took three of the remaining four wickets, taking career-best figures of 6/42, ensuring England only had to chase 104 runs to win.
The task was easily accomplished at an impressive scoring rate of 8.21, as Jacob Bethell scored a brilliant unbeaten half-century on debut, which he achieved in just 37 balls, as England achieved the target with the loss of two wickets.
Whereas, Carse was player of the match for his 10/106, the first England fast bowler to take a ten-wicket haul on foreign soil in 16 years.
When invited to bat, New Zealand scored 348 runs in the first innings thanks to a brilliant 93 from the returning Kane Williamson. In reply, England were struggling at 71/4, before Harry Brook’s 171 helped the tourists score 499 and take a commanding lead of 151 runs.
–IANS
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