Black Caps secure victory against England
Morning Report
Zak Foulkes never expected to take part in the deciding Test against England, let alone play a key part in helping the Black Caps to a rare series win.
New Zealand wrapped up a 160-run third test victory over England at Trent Bridge to secure a 2-1 series victory, in a contest marked by England captain Ben Stokes’ stunning mid-match retirement announcement.
Coming from 1-nil down in the series, the Black Caps won the third Test without two of the match winners from the side who levelled the series last week.
The Kiwis took the field without their premier pace bowler Matt Henry and all-rounder Glenn Phillips, who scored his maiden test century in the second Test at The Oval.
Both players were late injury withdrawals while fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was also stood down as he continues to recuperate from a back stress fracture.
Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke and Zak Foulkes stepped up on a Trent Bridge pitch which became increasingly unpredictable during a fierce English heat wave over the first four days of the match.
Foulkes became New Zealand’s first concussion substitute after Blair Tickner was taken out of the game on day two, after being struck in New Zealand’s first innings.
Foulkes told Morning Report he could never have imagined what unfolded after starting the decider as 12th man.
“It was a funny old few days … I just went about my normal stuff in the morning, did a bit of training, little bit of gym and then the third session on day two got subbed into the game and it all happened a bit fast, and a bit weird but got into the game and then it was just what it was really.”
NZ bowler Zak Foulkes.
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Foulkes had the honour of getting England great Stokes out both times in his final international appearance.
“To be fair I was also his last test wicket.”
Foulkes took three wickets in a breathtaking end to day four and also played his part with the bat, lasting 41 balls to give New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell crucial support on his way to an unbeaten century on day four.
“Obviously starting the week I didn’t think I’d be involved and to play quite a part was obviously very rewarding and very fortunate to be able to contribute to a test win.”
“It was awesome being out in the middle, Daryl copping a lot of abuse from the English fans, they were chanting ‘boring, boring Daryl’ and he was out there loving it, it was definitely a pinch me moment, it was very cool.”
Player-of-the-match Mitchell was rapped on the head, forearms and hands during seven hours at the crease, finishing on 100 not out in New Zealand’s 288 for nine declared which effectively played the home side out of the match.
“He played amazing, we always talk about taking it deep, it was a crucial knock in the grand scheme of things I think he faced over 300 balls and I think there’s a stat he got hit maybe 18 times and that knock was unbelievable and got us to a lead of 380.”
Foulkes said the final session on day four, not long after Stokes had announced his retirement, was memorable on many fronts as England went full ‘Bazball’ with the bat and Foulkes found himself paying a really pivotal role.
“It was crazy, obviously there was a lot going on, Will O’Rourke hurt his finger so I had to step in and bowl and I wasn’t really prepared to bowl that many overs that night, it was all hectic.
“We knew we had to be there or there abouts and hopefully they’d hit one up or one would shoot low and we knew if they were playing that aggressive brand we were in the game and in the hunt to take some wickets and thankfully we took four [in the last session of day four] and the rest this morning.
“You have guys next to you, Mitch Santner was there next to me, he’s a pretty calm guy. Tommy [Tom Blundell] obviously marshalling the troops around you, there’s a lot going on in your head I must say but it’s awesome to have experienced guys to I guess gel off and just be able to call upon them when you need them, which is awesome.”
O’Rourke’s test also ended early with a hamstring injury sustained mid-over after 35 minutes of play on day five.
The rest of the New Zealand attack rose to the occasion with Nathan Smith and Foulkes, taking six wickets apiece in the match.