New Zealand have stunned England in a dramatic close to their second Test match, claiming victory by one run at Basin Reserve.
After in-form batsman Harry Brook helped the visitors posted a massive total of 8/435d. in their first innings and rolled the Black Caps for 209, it looked like the Brendon McCullum-coached side would be winning the two-game series.
New Zealand would bounce back in their second dig thanks to a gritty century from former skipper Kane Williamson, posting a total of 483 and setting a total of 257 for the final innings of the match.
In the process, England managed to become just the fourth team in Test cricket history to lose after enforcing the follow-on.
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After sending superstar Joe Root on his way for 95, left-arm quick Neil Wagner (4/62) would take the final wicket of James Anderson to give the Kiwis a one-wicket victory by the barest of margins.
NEIL WAGNER WINS IT FOR NEW ZEALAND! #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/yv1ZI8r3f7
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) February 28, 2023
The dramatic ending to the Test would send social media into overdrive, with many describing it as the greatest match in cricket history.
My heart rate is through the roof - and I was on my couch!! And I didn’t care who won!!!
— Neroli Meadows (@Neroli_Meadows) February 28, 2023
Test cricket is just the best.
FFS. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) February 28, 2023
What a game. Congrats New Zealand, commiserations England. Wonderful Test match. Gutted. Goodnight. #NZvENG
BAZ BALL IS DEAD!
— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 28, 2023
England lose after enforcing the follow-on!!#NZvENG
No better game in the world than Test cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) February 28, 2023
What a fabulous Test! Two rareties: only the second one-run win in Test history (Aus v WI, Adelaide, 1992-93); and the only fourth Test win after following on (Aus v Eng, Syd 1894-95, Eng v Aus, Headingley 1981 and Ind v Aus, Kolkata 2000-01). #TestIsBest
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) February 28, 2023
WOW!!! What a finish!! Test match cricket is the best drama… @BLACKCAPS get a wicket with @englandcricket needing just 2 runs to win!
— Michael Atkinson (@kinson88) February 28, 2023
I will remember watching that finish for a long, long time. #NZvENG #Cricket
There was some controversy however, with a potential wide judged as a legal delivery by the on-field umpires and Wagner taking the final wicket moments later.
Next ball - NZ win.
— Mark Allen (@MarkAllenGolf) February 28, 2023
Should’ve been a tied test. https://t.co/5O7XUlOfRD
That’s a wide every day of the week and twice on Sundays… #NZvENG
— TAB (@tabcomau) February 28, 2023
The series will end in a 1-1 draw but there won't be any cricket fans around the globe who will forget this Test any time soon.
