England blazed to an eight-wicket WIN in the first Test against New Zealand on Sunday, knocking off their 104-run target in just 12.4 overs of their second innings. After bowling out New Zealand for 254 on Day Four here, debutant Jacob Bethell scored the winning runs to reach a maiden Test 50 off 37 deliveries with eight fours and a six. Joe Root was not out on 23 off 15 balls at the other end.

“Very happy with the way we performed throughout the week. Our bowlers were relentless throughout,” said England captain Ben Stokes after his side took a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series. NZ resumed on 155-6 in their second innings, a lead of four runs, and reached 254, a lead of 103. Daryl Mitchell, 31 overnight, scored a defiant 84. England’s Brydon Carse took six second-innings wickets to finish with 10 in a Test for the first time.