This story was first published on Stuff.co.nz and has been republished with permission.
You know it’s something special when the UK media is praising England for being one-half of the most incredible Tests of all time, rather than slamming a batting collapse.
New Zealand’s comeback for the cricketing ages at the Basin Reserve on Tuesday has won praise from the British media as England fans awoke to news of the dramatic one-run loss.
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Despite starting day five needing just 210 runs with nine wickets in the bank, England fell one agonising run short on an electrifying final day to help the Black Caps secure a 1-1 series draw against the in-form team of Test cricket.
The Telegraph’s Nick Hoult described the drama-filled day of sporting theatre as a victory for Test cricket rather than a win for New Zealand or a loss for England.
“To become only the second team ever to lose a Test by one run could leave a bitter taste in the mouth but this was delectable entertainment and the latest step on the road in England’s quest to save this format,” Hoult wrote.
Paul Newman, writing for The Daily Mail, agreed.
“It is bitterly disappointing for England but when the dust settles they will know they have played a full part in a remarkable game in keeping with their stated aim of trying to make Test cricket as entertaining as possible.
“England lost one of the most incredible Tests of all time in heart-breaking fashion,” Newman continued.
Tail-enders Jack Leach and James Anderson were seemingly set to guide England home but the latter got a feather on one down the leg side from Neil Wagner and Tom Blundell grabbed the diving catch to secure the shock one-run victory.
“In a match that is sure to go down as one of the most gripping contests ever seen in the grand old format, it was England who stumbled at the line,” The Guardian’s report read.
“England repeatedly state their commitment to making Test cricket entertaining, but this cannot have been in the script,” the BBC’s Stephan Shemilt wrote.
If a New Zealand victory seemed unlikely on Tuesday morning, it was even more far-fetched when England captain Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on with the Black Caps still 226 runs behind on day three. Or “barely believable” as Shemilt put it.
The headline on the Daily Mail story gave a nod to Ian Smith’s now famous commentary line from the 2019 ODI World Cup final between the same two teams.
“By the barest of margins! New Zealand seal historic victory over England in Wellington by just one run after they were forced to follow-on,” the Daily Mail headline read.
Tim Southee’s team become just the fourth in the history of men’s Test cricket to win after being forced to follow-on.
“What followed was a magnificent Kiwi comeback, with Kane Williamson making a classy century,” Shemilt wrote.
The big moment of the morning session on day five came when run-scoring machine Harry Brook was run out, after nightwatcher Ollie Robinson, plus top-order batters Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope had been removed to reduce England to 80-5.
“England were in tatters, New Zealand rampant and the Basin Reserve buzzing,” Shemilt wrote.
Joe Root (95) and Ben Stokes (33) put on 121 for the sixth wicket but with just 57 required, Wagner removed Stokes and then Root within one run, leaving the tail 56 to get. They came up just one short of a tie and two runs short of what would have been a famous series win.
“This was a breathtaking conclusion to a memorable Test, played out to a rapturous crowd given free entry to the Basin Reserve,” Shemilt wrote.
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