Agencies
Brydon Carse and debutant Jacob Bethell led England to an impressive eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test in Christchurch.
Carse claimed three of the four second-innings wickets England required on the fourth morning to end with 6-42, his maiden Test five-wicket haul.
To go with the four he took in the first innings, the 29-year-old had match figures of 10-106, the first away 10-for by an England bowler since Monty Panesar in 2012, and first by a seamer since Ryan Sidebottom in this country 16 years ago.
Daryl Mitchell clubbed 84, adding 45 for the last wicket with Will O’Rourke, to drag New Zealand up to 254 all out.
That left England a target of only 104, which they reached inside 13 overs for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Bethell, the 21-year-old, hit the winning runs in his 37-ball unbeaten 50.
There was a concern for England when Ben Stokes pulled up during his fifth over, but the captain said he will be fit for the second Test in Wellington on Friday (22:00 GMT Thursday).
This was a much-needed win for England after three defeats in their previous four matches. It tips them into credit for 2024, now with eight wins and seven losses.
They were given a huge helping hand by the Kiwis, who dropped eight catches. That takes nothing away from a spirited and tenacious performance by an England side that had to be re-jigged following the injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox.
ScorescColor:> New Zealand 348 (Williamson 93) & 254 (Carse 6-42) England 499 (Brook 171) & 104-2 (Bethell 50*).
England won by eight wickets; lead series 1-0.
