The Black Caps have taken a one-nil lead in the two-Test series against England after their innings and 65 run win at Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui. Here's what the overseas media said.
Black Caps pace bowler Neil Wagner successfully appeals for the final wicket of Stuart Broad in the first Test against England at Bay Oval. Photo: Photosport
ESPN Cricinfo, the website dedicated to cricket, described it as a "crushing victory" and pointed to discipline of the New Zealand bowlers who managed to extract errors from the English batsmen often on a dead pitch.
"New Zealand closed in on a crushing victory at Mount Maunganui, as Neil Wagner ripped the guts out of England's batting on the fifth afternoon. Wagner claimed three wickets in a five-over burst to break the tourists' resolve after a battling start to the day."
WAGNER TWO-IN-TWO balls to seal a Test VICTORY! He finishes with 5-44! Thanks for the tussle @englandcricket, we'll see you in Hamilton for Test two!#NZvENG #cricketnation pic.twitter.com/vHHjywDwvP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 25, 2019
The Guardian immediately called it a "lip-smacking win" by a "bunch of unshowy cricketers".
"What a lip-smacking win by New Zealand. Wagner takes the spoils with 5-44, but a team performance from top to tail by a bunch of unshowy cricketers who know what it takes to win games on home soil. England all out 197, a brave flourish from Curran and Archer at the end, and impressive graft by Denly, but more than a handful of those dismissals weren't too pretty."
The British Telegraph called it an "impressive" victory.
"New Zealand wrapped up an impressive innings and 65-run victory over England shortly after tea on the fifth day of the first test at Bay Oval on Monday with Neil Wagner running through the lower order.
"Wagner took three wickets in 17 balls for just one run as England collapsed from 132-5 to 138-8 before tea, then broke a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership between Jofra Archer and Sam Curran after they had threatened to thwart the hosts."
What a superb win. This @BLACKCAPS team has quality from 1 to 11. https://t.co/v6XFOUkptJ
— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) November 25, 2019
The MailOnline called the Test a "horror show" for England.
"Tourists planning to tackle Mount Maunganui are advised to allow an hour or so to climb up and down.
"In the time it took England to dismiss New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling, even the most leisurely rambler could have made the trip on 11 occasions, pausing for the views along the way."
The Independent said England were still learning to how to use strike weapon Jofra Archer who had limited impact against New Zealand.
"Expectation on Archer has risen significantly since his standout roles in the World Cup and Ashes, but he has been unable to consistently reach the speeds in the last couple of days that saw him become a breakout star for England."
The Guardian also called the result a "hammering".
"This was a hammering. From the moment England collapsed on the second morning to 353 all out they lost control of the Test and though they made early inroads into New Zealand's line-up, BJ Watling's double century gave them their latest brutal lesson in batting and batting and batting some more."
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS quality performance on a different surface than we are used to in #NewZealand
— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) November 25, 2019
Well done @BayOvalOfficial Excellent debut Test #watling #santner #Wagner brilliant on Days 4 & 5
The Telegraph said the England side "lacked character" in the loss.
"What England lacked above all was character. The heat was drowsy every afternoon in the Bay of Plenty, the crowd anything but hostile, and there were no World Test Championship points at stake, but still... England's batsmen and bowlers should have showed more character."
England were said to be "largely architects of their own downfall" by the BBC.
"While New Zealand were disciplined with the ball, limiting England's scoring options, the tourists were largely architects of their own downfall. They were passive and, when they did decide to hit out, they picked the wrong shot to the wrong ball."
