England captain Ben Stokes downplayed worries about his fitness following an incident during the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Stokes pulled up while bowling on the final morning but clarified afterwards that it was a precautionary measure after tweaking his back during a fielding effort. He assured fans and teammates that he was ready for the second Test in Wellington, attributing his withdrawal from bowling to game management rather than a serious issue.
Reflecting on England's victory, Stokes praised Brydon Carse, whose 10-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match award, and Harry Brook for his remarkable innings of 171. Stokes highlighted the importance of the 159-run partnership with Brook, which helped recover England from a precarious position at 71-4 to a commanding total of 499.
Brook, who reached 2,000 Test runs in just 36 innings, received accolades from Stokes for his attacking mindset and consistency. Stokes also acknowledged Carse's stellar bowling performance, noting his relentless effort and adaptability. Carse became the first England bowler to claim a 10-wicket haul overseas since 2012 and credited the pitch's bounce and carry for his success.
With England leading 1-0 in the three-match series, Stokes emphasised the team's collective effort and adaptability throughout the game, setting a confident tone for the next match in Wellington.
England's Test tour of New Zealand
First Test (Christchurch): England win by eight wickets
Second Test: December 6-10 (Wellington)
Third Test: December 14-18 (Hamilton)