The Kiwis sealed a 1-0 series win against England winning their first Test series in the country since 1999, claiming the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.
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New Zealand defeated England by eight wickets in Edgbaston which played host to the second Test of the two-match series between the two nations. The Kiwis sealed a 1-0 series win, winning their first Test series in the country since 1999. The triumph in the series has also helped the Blackcaps claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings. New Zealand have accumulated 2,593 points in 21 matches with India placed on the second position having earned 2,914 points in 24 points. While the former enjoy a rating of 123 which is the parameter behind determining the rankings, Team India has earned a rating of 121.
The hosts approached Day four with the scoreline reading 122/9 and a lead of 37 runs. However, England’s resistance lasted only for a delivery as Trent Boult wrapped up the first innings, shattering any hopes of a comeback. Olly Stone was left in no position to negotiate a brilliant ball from Boult, edging the ball to the keeper.
New Zealand were handed a paltry target of 38 runs to win the match as well as the series, which they ensured in a comprehensive manner. The Black Caps chased down the target in 10.5 overs, losing the wickets of Devon Conway (3) and Will Young (8). Stuart Broad and Stone accounted for a dismissal apiece, with Conway edging a wide delivery from Broad. England had posted a total of 303 in the first innings, with New Zealand scoring 388 runs in response.
Stand-in captain Tom Latham remained unbeaten till the end on 23, helping New Zealand get over the line. Latham completed 4,000 Test runs during the course of the innings. He is only the ninth Kiwi batsman to achieve the feat. The first Test had ended in a draw.
Latham was named as the skipper, in the absence of Kane Williamson who had been rested for the second Test.
“It’s not an easy decision for Kane to have to miss a Test, but we think it’s the right one,” said coach Gary Stead.
“He’s had an injection in his elbow to relieve the irritation he’s been experiencing when he bats and a period of rest and rehabilitation will help maximise his recovery. The decision has been made very much with the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton in mind and we are confident he will be ready for that match starting on June 18,” he added.
Matt Henry was awarded the Player of the Match for picking three wickets in each innings. Conway was handed the Player of the Series award for scoring 306 runs at an average of 76.50. This tally included a double ton on his debut. The batsman recently entered the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings in 77th position with a record 447 rating points. It represents the highest tally for a New Zealand batsman on debut and the third-highest ever on debut. Conway entered the list at two points less than RE Foster of England and one less than Kyle Mayers of the West Indies.
Foster had slammed 287 on debut against Australia in Sydney in 1903 for a record of 449 rating points. Mayers had scored 40 and an unbeaten 210 in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong in February this year to log 448 points.
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