‘Can you believe it?’: Insane Test thriller makes cricket history

The cricket world has been left in disbelief over one of the greatest matches of Test cricket every seen took place in New Zealand.

New Zealand have made extraordinary cricketing history, winning the second Test against England by just one-run after being made to follow on.

It was an instant classic after England led by 226 runs on the first innings but a remarkable 132 from Kane Williamson and 90 from Tom Blundell set up an all-time finish.

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Needing 258 runs to win, England were led by Joe Root with 95, but were languishing at 8/215, still needing 42 to win with Ben Foakes batting alongside Jack Leach.

Foakes nearly got England home, taking the lead in a 36-run stand.

But when he was caught after top edging a Tim Southee bouncer for 35, it left England’s 10 and 11 in Leach and Jimmy Anderson to bring the visitors home.

A four struck through mid-wicket from Anderson added to the tension as the runs slowly ticked down.

However, an edge down the leg side off Neil Wagner sparked pandemonium as the Kiwis pulled off the unthinkable.

The one-run win is just the second time in Test history that a team has won a Test by just one run, following the West Indies’ 1993 match against Australia in Adelaide.

New Zealand also became the fourth team in Test history to win a match after being forced to follow on - joining England over Australia in 1894 and 1981, and the 2001 Test where India came back in Kolkata in 2001.

Hang this in the Louvre. Photo by Marty MELVILLE / AFP

Even New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson said it felt odd to be on the winning side.

“It doesn’t feel right to be standing here after a game like that,” he said.

“It was a fantastic effort from both teams and a fantastic game to be a part of as a team. We’ve been finding a way in Test cricket for a while so it was nice to get over the line.”

The commentators were going wild for the finish, and in disbelief as comments such as “can you believe it” were said after nearly every ball.

“Just the most brilliant Test cricket I’ve seen in a long long time,” one of the commentators said.

No better game in the world than Test cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG

— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) February 28, 2023

England may have lost today, but test cricket is the winner with there aggressive approach. Well done to New Zealand. Great finish to the series. #NZvENG#ENGvNZ

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) February 28, 2023

Incredible 🤯

Test Cricket, eh. 👏🏽👏🏽 #NZvENG

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) February 28, 2023

There are many great things in sport but none better than a close Test match finish. Enforcing the follow-on is not really a great percentage play these days but gee it can create some drama! #NZvENGhttps://t.co/cfPgLmbbea

— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) February 28, 2023

In wins and even in defeats, England are kinda ensuring that Test cricket becomes watchable and entertaining for every kind of audience. #NZvENG

— Vishesh Roy (@vroy38) February 28, 2023

Bring on ‘The Ashes’. It's going to be one hell of a summer. On that note goodnight! #NZvENG

— AmerCric (@Amermalik12) February 28, 2023

While some will say that England coach’s Brendon McCullum’s “Bazball” revolution is over after the loss, it would be a hard top defend despite England and New Zealand sharing the spoils of the two-match series.

The second match was one of the great Tests as it went into the fifth day with a stunning finish and it’s hard to see the Poms changing tactics now ahead of a home Ashes against Australia, particularly as it’s just the side’s second loss from 12 matches under McCullum.

Master blaster Harry Brook unloaded in the first innings with 186 off 176 balls after England were 3/21. Brook was the next wicket a 323 as he shared a huge partnership with Joe Root, who finished 153 not out.

And the sides share the two-match series one-all. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

Brook, who has three centuries in just five Test matches, also took the wicket of Williamson in the second innings and will be a key for the Ashes.

“Looking at the pitch we didn’t think it was going to last that long but in the end it was a great match to watch,” Brook said.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a bowler, I’m just glad I contributed at that stage of the match, it kind of opened the match up for us.

If you had given me the game I had personally at the start of the game I would’ve taken it, but things don’t always go your way.

“I haven’t even though about the Ashes, just trying to take it one game at the time at the moment.”