NZ vs ENG: Kane Williamson says 'it doesn't feel quite right' after New Zealand pull off a heist

New Zealand's historic one-run win over England in one of all-time greatest finishes in Test cricket on Tuesday will help reigning world champions stop ir drift away from longest format of game, said chief architect of heist, Kane Williamson.

Two years after y won inaugural edition of World Test Championship beating India at Southampton, Blackcaps have struggled to cope with rigours of longest format and are currently out of contention for a place in 2021-23 WTC final cycle.

Once considered invincible at home, New Zealand hit nir, losing first Test to Ben Stokes' side by 267 runs. y have slipped to eighth in WTC standings, with Banglesh only side below m.

one-run win on Tuesday could become motivation for Blackcaps to regain ir pride of place.

"A fantastic game of cricket to be a part of and, for us as a team, we've been fighting away in Test format for a while so it's nice to get across line on this one," said Williamson in post-match presentation.

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Following-on after conceding a 226-run le in second and final Test at Basin Reserve, former skipper batted more than seven hours in his knock of 132 to take m 483.

England, who h pulled off ir highest successful run chase of 378 in Tests to beat India at Edgbaston last year, fell one run short chasing 258.

It was New Zealand left-arm pacer Neil Wagner (4/62) who did star act when he dismissed England's last man James Anderson, caught down leg.

Williamson, who notched his 26th Test century to become highest Kiwi run-getter in longest format eclipsing Ross Taylor, was judged 'Player of Match'.

"Doesn't quite feel right to be standing here, after a game of cricket like that and contributions we've seen from both teams throughout," Williamson, who relinquished captaincy after being at helm for six years, said.

"This England team is playing incredible cricket at moment and we're up against it, coming into this game. So, to fight away and compete and ultimately just get across line is a really nice feeling." This is only fourth time in Test history a side has won after following-on. 2001 Eden Test in Kolkata was last instance when India h secured an astonishing 171-run win over Australia after being forced to follow-on.

"Right up re, only a handful of sides have come back from follow-on to win. Once it digests, guys will soak it up," said NZ skipper Tim Soue, who took over captaincy from Williamson in December last year.

" character y've shown in last few days. guys were calm, if we'd walked off and shaken hands and it wasn't good enough, it wasn't good enough.

"We couldn't re too much into a day-night Test, first two days here England were class, openers stood up in second innings, but Daryl, Kane, Tom Blundell... typical Kiwi scrapping effort.

"Neil's h a massive impact from trusting his best method, it came on this time. It's great for Test cricket, way England are playing, and it's good for Test cricket going forward," Soue ded.

England skipper Ben Stokes said incredible win by New Zealand showed what Test cricket is all about.

" emotions we were going through and Kiwi boys as well. Everyone's got ir money's worth today. Disappointing to end on a loss but four out of five away from home is something we will take great pride in. A few months off and get back to what we love doing," he said.