"Test Cricket Is Best Cricket": Virender Sehwag And Others Hail New Zealand's Win vs England

New Zealand scripted a beautiful story to become the fourth team to secure a Test victory after facing a follow-on. Each player stepped up when the moment demanded it. Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner played a pivotal role in making this test match a classic one. After being put into bat by New Zealand captain Tim Southee, England put up a blistering performance in the first innings of the second Test. On the back of hundreds from Harry Brook (186) and Joe Root (153*), they got to 435/8 in merely 87.1 overs. England's bowlers then got into the act to bundle out the Kiwis for 209. England skipper Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on.

However, the Black Caps put up an excellent rearguard fightback in their second innings. Kane Williamson led the charge with 132, which was his 26th Test ton. During this knock, Williamson became New Zealand's leading run-scorer in Tests. Half-centuries from Tom Blundell (90) and Tom Latham (83) helped New Zealand set England a target of 258. On the final day, Neil Wagner's short-ball barrage led the Kiwi charge as England fell short by one run. Wagner's 4/62 was New Zealand's best figure in the fourth innings.

This great spectacle of Test cricket received plaudits from all around the cricketing fraternity.

My bad! A repeat of the Edgbaston 2005 ashes test. A win by 2 runs and a strangle down the leg side to dismiss the last man. #ENGvsNZ #Wellington

Test Cricket is Best Cricket. What a Match. England Vs @BLACKCAPS has become one of the most dramatic clashes in recent times , another thrilling game. Well done to NZ on a great win after being asked to follow-on and well done Eng on making the best format most exciting #EngvNZ

No better game in the world than Test cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG