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ENGLAND PLAYER RANKINGS: James Anderson and Stuart Broad launch England to victory, Harry Brook continues to excel Under Ben Stokes’ brilliant captaincy, but Zak Crawley’s place looks uncertain after poor game
England took an unassailable 1-0 lead over New Zealand in the first Test at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
Ben Stokes’s side won by 267 runs after four wickets on James Anderson’s fourth day, which followed a brilliant spell the night before that saw Stuart Broad claim four of the first five wickets to fall.
23-year-old batsman Harry Brook was named man of the match after continuing his remarkable rise with a quick fifty in each inning.
The Yorkshire man is averaging 78 after his first five Tests and is hitting a bit under a ball run.
Sportsmail’s Paul Newman examines how each player achieved England’s resounding victory.
James Anderson led England to victory on day four in remarkable figures of four for 18
Anderson and Stuart Broad have now taken a world record 1,009 Test wickets played together
Zak Crawley-4Sdetermined in the first innings, a little better in the second but fallible in the slips. Crawley keeps the faith for England, but Jonny Bairstow will soon be back. Could it be him as a starter?
Ben Duckett-7.5 He banished fears, not shared by England, about his ability against pace and rebounding with 84 in the first innings and can probably look forward to an Ashes summer.
Ollie Pope – 7 He played almost baseball-style in skinning Neil Wagner in the second inning, but it arguably gave him away. England doesn’t see it that way.
Joe Root – 7 Nothing divides ‘Bazball’ opinion more than Root. He averaged 50.68 under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, but he gave it away with reverse scoop and reverse sweep.
Harry Brook – 8.5 The boy genius combined orthodox defense with classic units and outrageous power. Only the lack of a fourth century in four games marks him slightly below.
Harry Brook continued his excellent form with a quick fifty in each innings.
Zak Crawley made a flashy 28 in the second inning, but was woeful in the first
Ben Stokes has now led England to 10 wins from 11 games as permanent Test captain.
Ben Stokes-9 Peter May once awarded man of the match in the cup final to John Abrahams just for his captaincy and the same principle applies to Stokes. Absolutely inspired leader.
Ben Foakes-7.5 He measured half a century, relatively speaking, at a pivotal moment in second innings. He could be the through no fault of his own favorite to make way for Bairstow.
Broad Stuart – 8.5 One of his big spells broke New Zealand with four clean kills on the third night. When the force is with him there are still few better.
Ollie Robinson-7.5 One of the first names on the bowling team sheet now that he is complimented and has the respect of Broad and Anderson. Wickets and runs here.
Jack Leach-6 Quiet play for the left-arm spinner, but he still has the full backing of Stokes. “Someday someone better than me will come along,” Leach says. Not yet.
Jimmy Anderson-8.5 He made history with his great friend Broad and got a hat-trick on the fourth morning. Remind us why both of you were left out of the West Indies tour again?
New Zealand
Tom Latham – 4, Devon Conway – 6, Kane Williamson – 3, Henry Nicholls – 3, Daryl Mitchell – 7, Tom Blundell – 8, Michael Bracewell – 4, Neil Wagner – 6, Scott Kuggeleijn – 6, Tim Southee – 4, blair tickner-5