New Zealand pull off historic 1-run Victory over England; Become Third Team to Win Test Match after Followon

NZ vs Eng Test Series: Tim Southee-led New Zealand brings a halt to England’s stunning run of form in the most stunning manner imaginable.

New Zealand became only the second team in the history of Test cricket to win a Test match by a single run, when they defeated England in Wellington on Day 5 of the second Test on Tuesday (February 28).

West Indies are the only team to achieve the feat, defeating Australia by the same margin in Adelaide back in 1993.

NZ vs ENG: Kiwis win after followon

Tim Southee’s team became just the fourth side in the history of Test cricket to win a Test match after following on. India were the last team to win after following on, defeating Australia in the historic Eden Gardens Test match back in 2001 under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly.

It was only the fourth win in the history of test cricket by a team asked to follow on, and the second time a team had won a test by a single run after West Indies beat Australia by the margin in Adelaide in 1993.

Kane Williamson was named Man of the Match, having scored a brilliant 132 in New Zealand’s second innings as the hosts put on 483 after England captain Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on.

Neil Wagner does what seemed ‘Impossible’

Neil Wagner took four wickets and held two crucial catches as New Zealand pulled off a ‘Mission Improbable’ by beating England by one run in the second test on a nerve-jangling day five after being made to follow on.

Though Root and Stokes were culpable in their dismissals, the pair deserved enormous credit for steadying the chase after four wickets fell quickly.

Stokes threw the bat at a Wagner bouncer and top-edged to square leg where a running Tom Latham took the catch.

Root, who had batted beautifully in a 113-ball knock, also attacked Wagner, sending a miscued pull to Michael Bracewell at midwicket.

These two were the dismissals that turned the game in the home team’s favor, all thanks to Neil Wagner.

Harry Brook is Player of the Series:

The young tyke has had a princely start to his Test career but was run out without facing a ball today, completely BBQd by Joe Root. Up or down, he’s cool as a kumquat this one.

Looking at the pitch on the first day, we didn’t think it’d [the game] would last that long. In the end, it was a very good cricket wicket. It was an enjoyable game to watch!”

On getting his first Test scalp as a bowler:

I wouldn’t say I am a bowler, I’m just glad that I contributed in that stage of the game and managed to get the breakthrough. That opened it up for us but the result didn’t go our way. Credit to New Zealand, they were fantastic”

WATCH The Winning Moment Here:

The two-match series ended in a 1-1 draw, with England having won the first test in Mount Maunganui by 267 runs.