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England’s cricketers returned to winning ways with an impressive eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the first test. Winning the toss, as the visiting captain, England skipper Stokes was playing in the country he was born in.

If there was any sentimental value due to the nature of the occasion for Stokes, he didn’t let it show on his face. In the previous series, the Durham man lost his composure when the game was slipping through their fingers against Pakistan, but in this game, the England all-rounder kept his emotions in check.

New Zealand batted first, and they made 348 all out. Kane Williamson rolled back the years (93), with current skipper Tom Latham supporting Williamson (47).

Glen Phillips, who has become a reliable player over the years, scored 58—a respectable first-innings score by Latham’s men. If the Kiwis were looking to get ahead in the game, they would need to bowl and field well.

Sadly for Tom Latham’s men, they shelled eight catches. Harry Brook profited from most of those drops on his way to 171. Vice-captain Ollie Pope supported Brook with a typically elegant 77.

Other lower-order contributions came from Ben Stokes (80), Gus Atkinson (48), and Brandon Carse (33). That meant England was all out for 499, with a lead of 151.

In their second innings, New Zealand didn’t fare as well and found themselves in trouble at 133-5. Daryl Mitchell Made 84, alongside former captain Kane Williamson’s 61, but despite these two battling knocks, New Zealand had a slender lead of 103.

England knocked off their target in 12.4 overs, with Jacob Bethell hitting a 50 on debut. It was an impressive win for England, and Brydon Carse, Bethell, Brook, and Pope made telling contributions.

The next test will be at 22:00 GMT on Thursday.

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