ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS: Harry Brook continues to excel under Stokes

ENGLAND PLAYER RATINGS: James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowl tourists to victory, while Harry Brook continues to excel Under Ben Stokes’ brilliant captaincy – but Zak Crawley’s place looks uncertain after a poor match

  • England have taken a 1-0 lead over New Zealand following a dominant Test win
  • Harry Brook continued his excellent run of form with brisk fifties in each innings
  • James Anderson and Stuart Broad took 12 wickets between them across the Test

England took an unassailable 1-0 lead over New Zealand in the first Test at Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Ben Stokes’ side won by 267 runs after James Anderson took four wickets on day four following a brilliant spell the previous evening that saw Stuart Broad claim four of the first five wickets to fall.

England’s 23-year-old batter, Harry Brook, was named man of the match after continuing his remarkable rise with brisk fifties in each innings.

The Yorkshire man averages 78 after his first five Tests and is striking at a shade under a run-a-ball.

Sportsmail’s Paul Newman examines how each player got in England’s emphatic win. 

James Anderson bowled England to victory on day four with remarkable figures of four for 18

Anderson and Stuart Broad have taken a world-record 1,009 wickets in Tests played together 

Zak Crawley – 4 

Shocking first innings, a little better in second but fallible in slips. Crawley retains England’s faith but Jonny Bairstow will soon be back. Might it be as opener?

Ben Duckett – 7.5 

Banished fears – not shared by England – about his ability against pace and bounce with 84 in first innings and can probably look forward to an Ashes summer.

Ollie Pope – 7

Played almost baseball style in flaying Neil Wagner in the second innings but could be said to have given it away. England do not see it that way

Joe Root – 7 

Nothing divides ‘Bazball’ opinion more than Root. Averaging 50.68 under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum but gave it away with reverse scoop and reverse sweep.

Harry Brook – 8.5 

The boy genius combined orthodox defence with classical drives and outrageous power. Only lack of a fourth century in four games marks him slightly down.

Harry Brook continued his excellent run of form with brisk fifties in each innings 

Zak Crawley made a flashy 28 in the second innings but was woeful in the first

Ben Stokes has now led England to 10 wins in 11 games as permanent Test captain

Ben Stokes – 9 

Peter May once gave a cup final man of the match award to John Abrahams just for his captaincy and the same principle applies to Stokes. Absolutely inspired leader.

Ben Foakes – 7.5 

Measured half-century, relatively speaking, at crucial time in second innings. Could be the favourite through no fault of his own to make way for Bairstow.

Stuart Broad – 8.5 

One of his great spells broke New Zealand with four clean bowled victims on third night. When the force is with him there are still few better.

Ollie Robinson – 7.5 

One of the first names on the bowling team-sheet now which is some compliment and has the respect of Broad and Anderson. Wickets and runs here.

Jack Leach – 6 

Quiet game for the left-arm spinner but still has the absolute backing of Stokes. ‘One day someone better than me will come along,’ says Leach. Not just yet.

Jimmy Anderson – 8.5 

Made history with his great friend Broad and was on a hat-trick on the fourth morning. Remind us why they were both left out of the West Indies tour again?

New Zealand

Tom Latham – 4, Devon Conway – 6, Kane Williamson – 3, Henry Nicholls – 3, Daryl Mitchell – 7, Tom Blundell – 8, Michael Bracewell – 4, Neil Wagner – 6, Scott Kuggeleijn – 6, Tim Southee – 4, Blair Tickner – 5

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