How Neil Wagner Sealed New Zealand’s Dramatic Win Over England

“Test Cricket At Its Finest” – How Neil Wagner Sealed New Zealand’s Dramatic Win Over England

After being forced to follow-on in the second Test against England at home, the Kiwis didn’t give up and on Tuesday in Wellington, they stunned the visitors with a dramatic one-run victory.When their batsmen, inspired by centurion Kane Williamson (132), dug in following-on and gave England 258 to win, New Zealand’s Neil Wagner emerged as the victor. In critical moments, Wagner collected a few catches in addition to four wickets.

Joe Root scored 95 runs to lead England’s run chase, and he contributed 121 runs with captain Ben Stokes (33). With just 57 runs needed to win, the English team had five wickets in hand, but Wagner ruined their celebration.In order to help remove Stuart Broad (11) and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for 35, Wagner first had both Root and Stokes out slogging. He then calmly held catches in the deep.

After Foakes’s dismissal, Jack Leach and James Anderson were left needing seven runs to win. Anderson hit a boundary off Wagner to reduce the deficit to two runs.In the second Test on a tense day five on Tuesday after being forced to follow on, New Zealand pulled off a “Mission Improbable” by defeating England by one run. Neil Wagner grabbed four wickets and held two key catches.

In the second Test on a tense day five on Tuesday after being forced to follow on, New Zealand pulled off a “Mission Improbable” by defeating England by one run. Neil Wagner grabbed four wickets and held two key catches.On a beautiful afternoon at the Basin Reserve, Joe Root (95) and Ben Stokes (33) established a 121-run partnership to reduce the gap to 57 runs with five wickets in hand after New Zealand had set England 258 to win.

Enter Wagner, who had both out slogging before holding nerveless catches in the deep to to dismiss Stuart Broad (11) and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes for 35.Following Foakes’ dismissal, tailenders Jack Leach and James Anderson needed seven runs to win, and Anderson hit a boundary off Wagner to cut the lead to two runs.Wagner struck again, this time catching Anderson down the leg side for four points, sparking joy among the New Zealand players and spectators.

Read Also:- Lionel Messi win Best FIFA Men’s Player Award.

It was just the fourth win in Test cricket history by a side requested to bat first, and the second time a team has won a Test by a single run, after the West Indies beat Australia by a run in Adelaide in January 1993.

The two-match series finished in a 1-1 tie, with England winning the first Test by 267 runs in Mount Maunganui.