PLAYER RATINGS: Harry Brook had a Test start to compare with the very best against New Zealand

England lost one of the most incredible Tests of all time in heartbreaking fashion on Tuesday morning when Jimmy Anderson was dismissed with just two runs needed for victory.

With two required, Anderson, who had crushed a four in Neil Wagner’s earlier over, received the barest of tickles to his left arm leg in the safe hands of Tom Blundell to give New Zealand victory.

It’s a bitterly disappointing result for England as they missed out on a historic seventh successive Test win and it was also the first time they’d lost after asking someone to shadow them.

New Zealand, on the other hand, protected an unbeaten home run dating back to 2017 as their first win after a 1-1 tie in the series.

And here, sports mail Paul Newman gives his verdict on the performances of both sets of players in Wellington.

New Zealand celebrate the winning moment as James Anderson is caught on the side of the leg.

England

Zak Crawley-3

Just 58 runs in four innings and fallible in the slips. Suddenly that hundred in Rawalpindi seems like a long time ago. He must be fighting to play in the Ashes.

Ben Duckett-7.5

His terrific contribution at Mount Manganui seems to have sealed his place in the Ashes, but he could still struggle with pace and bouncing off the stump.

Ollie Pope – 5

It wasn’t a great series for the favorite to become England’s next Test captain and he looked nervous and frantic in the final day’s chase.

Joe Root – 9

He said he wasn’t sure of his ‘Bazball’ role, but he found his perfect rhythm with an unbeaten 153. He loses half a point for missing England at home and missing out on Harry Brook.

Harry Brook – 9.5

The best of his four centuries to date gives him a Test start to compare with the best and his ‘golden arm’ caught Kane Williamson. That he wears himself out is not his fault.

Ben Stokes-6

We gave him full marks last week just for his captaincy, but we can’t do it again with his left knee stopping him in bowling and two bad shots to give him away twice.

Ben Foakes-8

He keeps brilliant at making layoffs even outside of his own job, like facing Stuart Broad, and so close to the hitting hero. England will drop him at his own risk.

Harry Brook got off to a Test start to compare himself with the best after shining against New Zealand

Broad Stuart – 7.5

Another of his match-winning spells at Mount Maunganui and 10 wickets in 26 in the series marks another impressive performance. Nighthawk hasn’t flown very far yet.

ollie robinson – 6

He bowled better than six wickets at 34 suggests and appeared to have a minor injury in the second Test. But one of the first names on the bowling team sheet now.

Jack Leach-6.5

Huge effort in the second innings at Wellington to finish with five for and 10 wickets in the series at 35. He’s never going to be a world beater, but he is highly valued by Stokes.

Jimmy Anderson-8

Still imperious, still strong and certain to lead England’s attack into the Ashes after 10 wickets at just 16 here. Heartbreaking, he failed to make winning runs.

New Zealand

Devon Conway 7, Tom Latham 7.5, Kane Williamson 8, Will Young 3, Henry Nicholls 5, Daryl Mitchell 6.5, Tom Blundell 8.5, Michael Bracewell 6, Tim Southee 8, Matt Henry 8, Neil Wagner 7.5 Blair Tickner 5 Scott Kuggeliejn 6.