Wagner stars as New Zealand thrash England by an innings and 65 runs to win the first test

A fiery five-wicket burst from Neil Wagner sealed a comprehensive innings and 65 runs victory for New Zealand over England late on final day of first Test in Mount Maunganui on Monday. It put New Zealand in a commanding position in two-Test series and extended ir home streak to a remarkable seven series without defeat.

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England were on ropes with only two wickets remaining at tea before Sam Curran and Jofra Archer std a late rally with a 59-run stand for ninth wicket. But with fewer than 22 overs remaining in match, Wagner brought proceedings to an abrupt halt when he removed Archer and Stuart Broad, last man in, with successive balls. England had started final day at three for 55 and 207 runs away from making New Zealand bat again.

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In what began as a dogged fight for survival, y crept along with a mere 66 runs off first 41 overs for loss of only Joe Root's wicket for 11, completing a disappointing match for England skipper after his two in first innings. Ben Stokes joined Joe Denly to continue England's defiance until nine overs after lunch when ir patience ran out and New Zealand cashed in. Stokes, on 28, chased a wide Tim Soue delivery that should have been left and chopped it on to his stumps.

Wagner, who had been wicketless at that st, revved up his left-arm bouncers and accounted for Joe Denly, Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler in quick succession as England lost four wickets for 17 runs. Denly, who delivered a solid 74 for England in first innings, top-scored second time around with 35 before he was caught behind. Pope was on six when, like Stokes, he chased a ball he should have left alone. Pope stretched to a wide full toss from Wagner and was caught by a diving Mitchell Santner at short cover. When second new ball was taken, Wagner bowled Buttler who was scoreless after facing 18 deliveries.

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Wagner finished with five for 44 and Santner had three for 53, in a victory set up by BJ Watling's 205 in New Zealand's mammoth first innings of 615 for nine declared. New Zealand's celebrations, however, were tempered by injury, with Trent Boult bowling just one over in morning before leaving field with a rib problem and taking furr part. Captain Kane Williamson, who had been troubled by a hip injury in lead-up to Test, left field a few overs before end clutching his side. second and final Test in series starts in Hamilton on Friday. 

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