Brook, Carse shine as England win Test

\England romped to an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test on Sunday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and bring the Black Caps thudding back to earth after their recent triumph in India.

Big batting, notably Harry Brook’s 171, and a fine display of seam-bowling from Brydon Carse, who was named Player of the Match for his 10-wicket haul, laid the platform for a comfortable victory inside four days.

Carse took 6/42 as the tourists dismissed New Zealand for 254 despite a defiant 84 from Daryl Mitchell on Sunday, and a team that prides itself on its ability to score quickly was never going to be too bothered by a victory target of 104 runs.

Jacob Bethell, who was making his Test debut, scored the winning run to reach his a maiden half century while Joe Root, who was playing his 150th, chipped in with an unbeaten 23 to help get England safely across the line before tea.