(Cricket news) In the first Test match of the Stokes-McCullum era, England defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets. New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision which Kane Williamson may regret now. England's line-up had a couple of new things as Alex Lees opened the batting alongside Zak Crawley. Matthew Potts made his debut while Ollie Pope was promoted to number 3. Jack Leech was selected as the spinner but had to suffer a concussion before he could bowl a single delivery. He was replaced by Matt Parkinson who made his international debut.

In the first innings, James Anderson and Potts picked up 4 wickets each as New Zealand were bowled out for 132 while Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes also got a wicket each. Colin de Grandhomme was the only Kiwi batter who looked in good touch as he scored an unbeaten 42. In reply, England got to 141 thanks to a 59 run opening partnership. Tim Southee picked up 4 wickets while Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and de Grandhomme got 3, 2 and 1 each. The pitch eased out quite a bit in the 3rd innings. Daryl Mitchell's 108 and Tom Blundell's 96 led New Zealand to a total of 285. Potts and Broad picked up 3 wickets each while Anderson got 2 scalps. Parkinson on debut picked up his first Test wicket.

Chasing 277, England were in trouble at 69/4. Jamieson was on fire as he picked up 3 wickets while Boult got a scalp. Former captain Joe Root and current captain Ben Stokes stitched together an important 90 run partnership. Stokes was dismissed on 54 by Jamieson but Ben Foakes provided great support for Root who led England to victory. Root scored an unbeaten 115 and also became the joint youngest cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs, tied with Alistair Cook. It wasn't a perfect performance from England but it did the job.

Broad and Anderson showed why dropping them should never be an option in the near future. Stokes played his cards right through the game but some things still need to be addressed. England still look close to a batting collapse every time a wicket falls which needs to change. There are still question marks around the opening combination. Jonny Bairstow threw his wicket away in the 2nd innings and with Harry Brook waiting for his chance, Bairstow may get dropped in the next match.

New Zealand's biggest concern is that their lead spinner Ajaz Patel bowled only 2 overs. He failed to get a wicket and conceded 20 runs. The black caps may be looking to get Neil Wagner in for the next Test. The next Test is at Trent Bridge where the kiwis will need to come out with more intent. There is a high possibility that there are a couple of changes in both the teams. The conditions and form will both play a huge part in it. Brendon McCullum will be fairly pleased with his side's performance but there is still a lot to improve. 

(Cricket news) In the first Test match of the Stokes-McCullum era, England defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets. New Zealand had won the toss and elected to bat first, a decision which Kane Williamson may regret now. England's line-up had a couple of new things as Alex Lees opened the batting alongside Zak Crawley. Matthew Potts made his debut while Ollie Pope was promoted to number 3. Jack Leech was selected as the spinner but had to suffer a concussion before he could bowl a single delivery. He was replaced by Matt Parkinson who made his international debut.

In the first innings, James Anderson and Potts picked up 4 wickets each as New Zealand were bowled out for 132 while Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes also got a wicket each. Colin de Grandhomme was the only Kiwi batter who looked in good touch as he scored an unbeaten 42. In reply, England got to 141 thanks to a 59 run opening partnership. Tim Southee picked up 4 wickets while Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and de Grandhomme got 3, 2 and 1 each. The pitch eased out quite a bit in the 3rd innings. Daryl Mitchell's 108 and Tom Blundell's 96 led New Zealand to a total of 285. Potts and Broad picked up 3 wickets each while Anderson got 2 scalps. Parkinson on debut picked up his first Test wicket.

Chasing 277, England were in trouble at 69/4. Jamieson was on fire as he picked up 3 wickets while Boult got a scalp. Former captain Joe Root and current captain Ben Stokes stitched together an important 90 run partnership. Stokes was dismissed on 54 by Jamieson but Ben Foakes provided great support for Root who led England to victory. Root scored an unbeaten 115 and also became the joint youngest cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs, tied with Alistair Cook. It wasn't a perfect performance from England but it did the job.

Broad and Anderson showed why dropping them should never be an option in the near future. Stokes played his cards right through the game but some things still need to be addressed. England still look close to a batting collapse every time a wicket falls which needs to change. There are still question marks around the opening combination. Jonny Bairstow threw his wicket away in the 2nd innings and with Harry Brook waiting for his chance, Bairstow may get dropped in the next match.

New Zealand's biggest concern is that their lead spinner Ajaz Patel bowled only 2 overs. He failed to get a wicket and conceded 20 runs. The black caps may be looking to get Neil Wagner in for the next Test. The next Test is at Trent Bridge where the kiwis will need to come out with more intent. There is a high possibility that there are a couple of changes in both the teams. The conditions and form will both play a huge part in it. Brendon McCullum will be fairly pleased with his side's performance but there is still a lot to improve. 

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