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New Zealand
New Zealand played two Test matches against England where the first match resulted in a draw and the second match was won by the Black Caps. New Zealand won the second match of the series by eight wickets. After winning the series against England, NZ has sealed the top position in the ICC Test team rankings with 123 points. The Indian cricket team has now dropped to the second position with 121 points. The series turned out to be a mega moment as the Kiwis won a Test series on English soil after 22 years. New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry was declared as the player of the match. The 29-year-old had put up a great show with the ball and picked up three crucial wickets.
New Zealand registers first Test series win in England after 22 years
The win against England gave New Zealand just a third win in 18 Test series in England. This was also their first win against the English side this century after their 1986 and 1999 triumphs. By contrast, this was England's first series loss at the home ground since 2014. In 2104, they were defeated by Sri Lanka.
The fourth day began with England just 37 runs ahead with tail-enders Olly Stone and James Anderson in the middle. However, Olly and Anderson failed to resist the pace of Trent Boult as he dismissed Olly Stone in the first delivery of the day. With just 37 needed to win, NZ stand-in captain Tom Latham scored the winning runs and completed a well-deserved victory for the Blackcaps. The victory against England also hands New Zealand an extra day of rest before the much-anticipated World Test Championship finals against India.
The World Test Championship (WTC) maiden season will reach its climax when India faces New Zealand in the final beginning June 18. The tournament featured nine of the 12 Test-playing nations in the first edition. The WTC began its journey on August 1, 2019, during the Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The WTC final between India and New Zealand was eventually going to occur at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. However, due to COVID-19 concerns and logistical issues, the ICC shifted the WTC final to the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton and will be played between June 18-22.