Brydon Carse and Jacob Bethell Shine as England Dominate New Zealand in First Test
England 499 (Brook 171, Stokes 80, Pope 77, Henry 4-84) and 104 for 2 (Bethell 50) beat New Zealand 348 (Williamson 93, Phillips 58, Carse 4-64, Bashir 4-69) and 254 (Mitchell 84, Carse 6-42) by eight wickets**
England secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, as Brydon Carse’s sensational bowling and Jacob Bethell’s debut half-century sealed the win. The victory was set up by Carse’s 10-wicket haul in the match and Bethell’s composed 50*, demonstrating England’s balance of firepower and youthful promise.
Carse Creates History with 10-Wicket Haul
In just his third Test, Brydon Carse delivered a career-best performance, claiming 6 for 42 in New Zealand’s second innings to complete match figures of 10 for 106. This made him the first England fast bowler in 16 years to take ten wickets in an overseas Test, a feat last achieved by Ryan Sidebottom in 2008. Carse’s ability to extract life from even flat pitches, combined with his relentless energy, proved decisive.
Carse’s bowling on the fourth morning dismantled New Zealand’s lower order. After dismissing Nathan Smith with a sharp, seaming delivery that stayed low, he trapped Matt Henry LBW with a fast, inswinging ball. He then returned to end Daryl Mitchell’s valiant resistance, inducing a mistimed shot that was caught at long-off.
Mitchell and O’Rourke Delay the Inevitable
Daryl Mitchell, New Zealand’s standout batter, fought valiantly with an 84 off 167 balls. Partnering with No. 11 Will O’Rourke, Mitchell added 45 runs in a spirited last-wicket stand. His inventive strokeplay, including audacious scoops and straight drives, briefly raised hopes of a competitive target. However, Carse’s persistence ensured the hosts were bowled out for 254, leaving England a modest target of 104.
England’s Explosive Chase
England wasted no time chasing down the target, wrapping up the match in just 12.4 overs. Although Zak Crawley fell early for 1, continuing his struggles against New Zealand, Ben Duckett and debutant Jacob Bethell ensured there were no further hiccups.
Duckett smashed 27 off 18 balls, including a towering six over fine leg, before being caught while attempting an upper cut. Joe Root, celebrating his 150th Test, contributed an unbeaten 22 off 15 balls, showcasing his usual elegance.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Jacob Bethell, whose unbeaten 50 off 37 balls included eight boundaries and a six. His maiden half-century, capped with a winning pull shot, displayed a rare maturity for a debutant and provided a glimpse of England’s promising future.
Stokes’ Injury a Minor Concern
A brief concern emerged for England when captain Ben Stokes left the field with stiffness in his lower back after bowling early on the fourth morning. Although he stayed on the field and reassured fans post-match that he would be fit for the second Test in Wellington, his recurring injury issues remain a subplot worth monitoring.
England’s Dominance Continues
This victory reinforced England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach, with their ability to dominate in all facets of the game on display once again. Their second-innings run rate of 8.21 evoked memories of their fearless performances in the 2022 series against New Zealand.
England now heads to Wellington for the second Test, with momentum firmly on their side. Meanwhile, New Zealand will need to regroup quickly to avoid a series defeat on home soil.
