by Daniel Brown
England are gearing up for an epic return to cricket paradise in November and December – travelling to New Zealand for a thrilling three-Test Tour.
The last England vs New Zealand tour in 2023 ended in a pulsating draw, leaving fans eager to see what the 2024 series has in store. Will England secure a victory on New Zealand soil, or will the Kiwis defend their turf in this iconic England vs New Zealand clash?
With fans starting to book Tour packages with Barmy Army Travel, let’s rewind the clock and look back on the incredible series early last year…
1st Test – Mount Maunganui – February 16 – 19, 2023
As with many of the other series that England were involved in following the appointment of Brendan McCullum as Head Coach, and Ben Stokes as the 81st captain of the Test side, the Three Lions went into their Tour of New Zealand with outsiders continuing to question their new-found style of ‘Bazball’ cricket.
It took less than four days for Stokes’ men to once again answer their quiet critics, sealing victory in the first Test match against New Zealand with 15 minutes remaining of the first session of Day 4 – winning by 267 runs at Mount Maunganui.
England were superb with the bat and declared 325 for 9 in the first innings. Harry Brook (89) and Ben Duckett (84) were the pick of the batters, and had it not been for Neil Wagner’s four wickets – albeit for 82 runs – the score could have been much higher for the visitors.
The Kiwis, to their credit, performed well in their chase of England’s strong total. Tom Blundell scored the first century of the series (138) and was incredibly impressive throughout his innings – supported by the ever-reliable Devon Conway, who notched 77 himself. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 306, meaning the game was finely poised at the midway point.
The Three Lions, as they had done in the first innings, stuck to their game plan and went after New Zealand. Plenty of batters got starts, with Zak Crawley (28) and Duckett putting England into a strong position until the latter was caught on 25. Ollie Pope (49) fell desperately short of a half-century, however, his teammates that followed all-but put the game to bed.
Joe Root, Brook and Ben Foakes scored 57, 54 and 51 respectively, before Stokes and Ollie Robinson registered 70 between them. England were all-out for 374, meaning the home side were chasing 394 to win the first Test match.
At 28-5, though, all New Zealand hope was lost. It was a case of when England were going to win, not if they were. Reliable duo Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson were at it again for England, with the latter taking 4 for 18 in 7.3 overs following Broad’s overnight 4 for 21. England, who had not won in New Zealand since 2008, ran through the Kiwis top order, and had it not been for Daryl Mitchell’s 57*, the game would have been over much sooner.
Regardless, England were brilliant throughout and thoroughly deserved to go 1-0 in the Series. Onto Wellington it was.
England 325 for 9 dec (Brook 89, Duckett 84, Wagner 4-82) and 374 (Root 57, Brook 54, Foakes 51, Tickner 3-55) beat New Zealand 306 (Blundell 138, Conway 77, Robinson 4-54) and 126 (Mitchell 57*, Anderson 4-18, Broad 4-49) by 267 runs.
- Ben Stokes surpassed Brendon McCullum’s record of 107 sixes to become the highest six hitter in Test cricket.
- James Anderson and Stuart Broad became the highest wicket takers as a pair in Tests, surpassing Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath’s record of 1,001 wickets.
2nd Test – Wellington – February 24 – 28, 2023
England arrived in Wellington full of confidence, looking to seal the series and take what would have been another impressive scalp under Stokes and McCullum. As it turned out, they were involved in one of the most exciting Test matches in recent history.
New Zealand became only the second team in history to win a Test by a one-run margin, and the fourth to win after following on. The visitors had looked in complete control for most of the game, but a dramatic final day in Wellington led to an incredible comeback at Basin Reserve.
The Kiwis won the toss and elected to field first, and with England 21-3 after less than seven overs, it certainly looked like the right call. Stokes’ men, however, did not panic. A truly scintillating display from Root (153*) and Brook (186) saw the Three Lions cruise past 400 and eventually declare at 435/8.
It was an incredible partnership from arguably England’s greatest-ever batter and their up-and-coming star, and one that put McCullum’s side in control once again.
The hosts will have undoubtedly been frustrated with their bowling, and the mood for the Wellington locals was further dampened when Conway, Williamson and Will Young were all out inside a little over eight overs in their first innings. Had it not been for captain Tim Southee’s entertaining 73 off 49 balls, the match – and series – would have been all-but over.
England, understandably, enforced the follow on. Unlike in their first innings, however, New Zealand were electric, putting on a mammoth 483. Tom Latham set the tone with 83, before Williamson showed his class with a superb 132.
With Mitchell notching 54, and Blundell mustering his way to 90, the Kiwis had set England a target of 258 runs to win the match and series. After their first showing, England were firm favourites to come out on top.
Even after losing four quick wickets in the first hour, the Three Lions went on to reassert their dominance thanks to a sixth-wicket stand between Stokes and Root. However, when the pair were both out in the space of two overs, the visitors found themselves sitting uncomfortably at 202-7.
Foakes, who looked primed to see England through to the finish line, was being supported by Jack Leach, who himself appeared as though he was going to repeat his 2019 Ashes heroics. Yet, when wicket-keeper batter Foakes was caught by Wagner, the game was perfectly in the balance once again.
The question was: Could Anderson do it for England?
Unfortunately, for England, he could not. The visitors got within two runs of winning the game – and series – but Anderson was eventually caught down the leg side to spark jubilant celebrations among the Kiwis.
It was certainly not the result England wanted, but the thrilling end to the Tour only enhanced their status as Test cricket’s rock and roll entertainers.
New Zealand 209 (Southee 73, Broad 4-61, Anderson 3-37) and 483 (Williamson 132, Blundell 90, Latham 81, Leach 5-157) beat England 435 for 8 dec (Brook 186, Root 153*, Henry 4-100) and 256 (Root 95, Wagner 4-62, Southee 3-45) by one run
- New Zealand became the fourth side to win a Test match after being asked to follow-on.
- This was only the second time that a side has won a Test by one run.
Join the Barmy Army in New Zealand later this year!
The dates for England’s 2024 Tour of New Zealand have recently been confirmed, with Ben Stokes’ side travelling to Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton later this year.
- 1st Test: Christchurch (28th Nov-2nd Dec)
- 2nd Test: Wellington (6th Dec-10th Dec)
- 3rd Test: Hamilton (14th Dec-18th Dec)
Matches between England and New Zealand have delivered some unforgettable moments in the past – most recently the Wellington one-run wonder. We’re confident that the upcoming England vs New Zealand series in November and December will add some memorable chapters to this cricket rivalry.
The Barmy Army is thrilled to be returning to New Zealand, and our Travel packages are LIVE. Fancy joining us there? Click the button below to book a package.
