So after three days of very even cricket, the record books will say: England beat New Zealand by 170 runs. And the readers will think, hmm, must have been an easy victory. But it wasn't. The difference between the sides was ultimately a devastating fourth day spell by Stuart Broad. His 7-44 was a personal best at this level but it was heartening to hear him say, when accepting the Man of The Match award, that it should go to his second innings new ball partner in crime James Anderson. Not only did he take his 300th wicket a few days earlier but he also bowled beautifully and economically at the Pavilion End. This probably had the effect of encouraging batsmen to have a go at the more wayward Broad - and get out.
With one and a half days left to score a mere 239, a result was inevitable but difficult to call in whose favour. However, once Broad had sent back the NZ top four with only 21 on the board, England were clearly in front. Nevertheless, Brendan McCullum must be shaking his head in disbelief at the way his side capitulated on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Nevertheless he, like most of his colleagues failed to reach double figures, and it was the nmuber nine, Neil Wagner, who top-scored with 17 before he fell to a farcical run-out to finish things off.
The result was particularly tough on Tim Southee. He is a bowler in the Broad mould who looks good in English conditions yet doesn't always turn style into substance. This week, he claimed ten wickets for 108 in the match yet still finished on the losing side, almost unprecedented in Lord's history. The magnanimous Broad said he felt for Southee (perhaps not that much!) who surely would have taken the plaudits had the Black Cap batting held out for victory.
Instead New Zealand have to regroup and somehow maintain the bowling control in Leeds they exhibited in London whilst demonstrating more diligence with the bat as they did on home soil. Their second innings total of 68 was their lowest against England since Willis and Botham restructed them for 67 at the same ground 35 years earlier. There was a runout in that match, too.
On the other hand, England have broken their 2013 duck against this opposition and must be confident of nailing a 2-0 series win next weekend. Before the game, Matt Prior was being the side's key man and player of the year. A few days later he emerged with two ducks! The only batsmen to come out with any credit were Jonathan Trott and Joe Root, who shared the match's only century partnership, before eighth wickets tumbled for 54 runs. Let's hope the second Test lasts into the fifth day and provide some of the nervy excitement served up in the southern hemisphere a few months ago.
