New Zealand beat England by innings and 49 runs

Just like New Zealand in Cape Town in 2013, England gave a masterclass on how to lose a test match in the opening session, with senior men Joe Root and Alastair Cook front and centre.

Legspinner Todd Astle claimed his second test wicket and his first in six years to push New Zealand closer to victory over England on Monday on the final day of the first cricket test.

Ben Stokes was then caught by Tim Southee off Neil Wagner in the final over of the middle session after he had combined with Chris Woakes in a patient, low-risk partnership of 83 in nearly 31 overs that had threatened to take the game away.

Third seamer Neil Wagner bowled 32 overs in the second innings innings, making a number of vital breakthroughs and finishing with 3-77. The spinner ripped through the England lower order to finish with figures of 3-39.

“I was not aware of any ball tampering”, Root told reporters in Auckland after his side crashed to an innings and 49-run loss to New Zealand in the first test.

Root had batted more than three hours for 51 to rally England’s resistance in the face of that heavy deficit but his dismissal on the brink of stumps swung the match back in New Zealand’s favor. The wicketkeeper, however, was fortunate that the throw from Chris Woakes was wide.

But they weren’t good enough and New Zealand were well worth the victory, achieved with threatening dark clouds surrounding the ground.

Root confirmed he did not yet know whether Stokes would be fit to bowl in Christchurch although England’s captain was pleased to see the all-rounder contribute with the bat – he made 66 from 188 balls – on the final day despite succumbing to the last delivery before the dinner break with a poor shot against left-armer Neil Wagner.

He then nearly ran out batting partner BJ Watling while taking a quick single.

You talk about whipping out the tail but also the set batsmen, being able to go through them, that is exactly what teams are crying out for and that is exactly what New Zealand have found [in Wagner].

Broad’s confidence does not come only from the relatively benign surface and their long batting lineup, which has shown far greater resolve than the side who were bundled out for 58 on the first day.

Astle played a vital role.

England had a mountain to climb after collapsing to an embarrassing 58 all out at the very start of New Zealand’s inaugural day-night Test at Eden Park.

He was given another test chance when he was chosen for this match as a replacement for injured allrounder Mitchell Santner and ahead of the more established legspinner Ish Sodhi. Astle rewarded his captain with the wicket of Jonny Bairstow (28) before tea.

“We just have to monitor him from day to day”, said Root.

“We have to learn some lessons quickly. and we know that we have to adapt better'”.