New Zealand vs England, 1st Test at Christchurch,NZ vs ENG, Nov 28 2024 - Match Result

3.10pm: Right, that's your lot from us this week. Thanks, as ever, for tuning into ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball commentary, which wouldn't be half as good without instant feedback and views from our dedicated readers. On behalf of Andrew Miller and Venkat Raghav, this is Matt Roller signing off, and we'll be back for more in Wellington on Friday.

Ben Stokes: "Very happy with the way we performed throughout the week. We were 45 for 3 so to go on and get a pretty likeable lead was very nice, and our bowlers were relentless throughout. [Brook?] He needed a little bit of luck along the way, but you've got to make it count when the opposition are dropping catches left, right and centre... he's an incredible talent, constantly looking to put pressure onto the opposition. [Carse?] Amazing. Look, I've been fortunate enough to grow up with Brydon and always known of his potential and his talent. He's an absolute workhorse who will keep charging in all day. [Bethell?] Chasing those little targets can sometimes be difficult... Beth has grown into his own in that little period there. He's been playing like that all summer in the white-ball team, so nice to see him do it in whites. [Own innings?] Batting slightly down the order, but when Gus and Carsey come down the order and play like that... having a long batting line-up is pretty valuable. [Fitness?] I've not spent that much time out in the middle for a long time. It's been a pretty heavy week this week, bowled 20 overs, lot of time in the field, spent some time in the middle... hurt my back diving for a ball as well. It's more management than anything else. With where we were in the game, it didn't feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I'm raring to go for Wellington. [Selection next week?] You'll see in Wellington!"

Tom Latham, or Rod as David Gower is calling him. "We were happy with the position we had, and we had our opportunities. On a different day, catches go to hand and things might be different, but that's the sport we play. [Catching?] Some days it doesn't quite fall your way. From our point of view, it's always an attitude thing in the field. Guys were not meaning to drop catches... That's cricket, and hopefully we can be better next time. [Needed more runs?] The partnerships we were able to build on the first day were great... We had our moments. Things could have been slightly different but a quality team like England put you under pressure. [Own match?] For everyone it's about trying to contribute as best they can... I'm no different. We're working hard to produce runs and wickets. That won't change over the next couple of days. [Comeback?] It's always about trying to stay level as best we can... we've got another opportunity in a couple of days and we'll be working hard." Gower signs off by calling him Rod again!

2.58pm: Carse gets the nod ahead of Brook for player of the match. "Very proud with the outcome today, and to be able to win as a team is very satisfying. We were thrown different challenges but stuck to plans and got our rewards. Everyone contributed in different ways. Everything paid off towards the end. [Contrast w/ Pakistan?] The surfaces in Pakistan were obviously very different, a lot more carry and bounce here which suited my style a bit more. Very happy with my personal performance. [Batting?] Me and Gus have got a good relationship off the field and had a good conversation about the batting last night. I just edged him with the sixes!"

James: "POTM... Carse or Brook?" -- Good question. I'd go for Carse given just how rare it is to take 10 overseas... but Brook was superb too, even if he rode his luck.

2.49pm: It remains to be seen whether Jacob Bethell is the answer at No. 3 specifically for England but there is little doubt that he is a rare talent... some extraordinary ball-striking in the fourth innings, albeit with the pressure off. His maiden Test fifty, and unlikely to be his last. There are some very good cricketers who have never hit the winning runs for their country!

That completes a comprehensive win for England... set up by Bashir and Carse in the first innings, helped in no small part by Brook's 171, Stokes' 80 and New Zealand's dire catching, and completed through Woakes and Carse's incisions and Bethell's brilliance. A tough return home for New Zealand after that incredible success in India.

Paul: "There goes our slim chances of making the WTC final... not that I expected us to get there, but sad that the players have literally dropped their chances of making it rather than being outplayed" -- I think there is still mathematically a tiny chance... but it's pretty much game over.

Noel: "Thumped in boys vs Men, Hagley horror, big changes for NZ must follow. Swap out both openers, captain, wicketkeeper and ageing medium pacer. Thanks Tim but that'll do it." -- That's the spirit, sack the lot!

Aarav: "Root has become the highest 4th innings run scorer of all time!" -- Great spot, Tendulkar down to second!

Only Root's second Test six of the year, by the way, and his first since the India tour. He hit 15 last year!

Time for drinks! With 12 to win! Ludicrous, but once you've sold the naming rights to a well-known brand of bright-blue isotonic beverage then invoking common sense becomes a little bit harder... correction: only nine to win! Even worse!

Bethell has a maiden half-century in his sights... 11 runs away, 18 more to win for England.

Ahsan Raza is having a word with Bethell... looks like he is being asked to take something off. Possibly a Fitbit or a smartwatch?

Trenton: "Leave Will Young out of the side. Lose the test match."

Iain: "That has clearly - clearly - made contact with his wrist band?! Hasn't it?!" -- The white sweatband on his forearm? Yes. The wriststrap on his glove? No.

Adam: "Any update on Ben Stokes, in all of the excitement?" -- Vish has the latest from Hagley Oval.

Paul: "'Win when we're slogging, we only win when we're slogging'……"