Left Arm Around

Brydon Carse’s spell of 6-42 propelled England to a crushing win over New Zealand on day four of the first Test in Christchurch.

The Durham quick ended with match figures of 10-106 to become the first England pacer to take a ten-wicket haul overseas since Ryan Sidebottom in 2008.

New Zealand resumed on 155-6, only four runs ahead of the tourists, but any hopes of a remarkable comeback victory were short-lived with Carse taking three of the final four wickets to perish.

First dismissing Nathan Smith LBW for 21 when he threatened to hang around, Carse then struck Matt Henry in front to send him packing soon after.

With tailender Will O’Rourke hanging around and Daryl Mitchell closing in on a century, it was fitting that Carse ended proceedings when Mitchell holed out to Chris Woakes at long-off searching for quick runs.

England made mincemeat of the chase, reaching their target of 104 in just 12.4 overs.

Zak Crawley fell for just 1 to continue his horrid record against the Black Caps, but England showed no signs of panic to illustrate ‘Bazball’ in all its glory.

His opening partner Ben Duckett was the other wicket to fall for 27.

Debutant Jacob Bethell enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a swashbuckling 50 not out, while Joe Root ended unbeaten on 23 from 15 to bounceback from a duck in the first innings.

After an astonishing demise in Pakistan, Stokes’ side were incredibly impressive in taking down an in-form New Zealand side.

Many will claim luck with New Zealand dropping numerous catches in the field, but almost every member of the XI contributed to another famous victory on the road.

The headlines will go to Carse and Brook; rightly so.

But after battling a wicketkeeping crisis and shifting their batting order, head coach Brendon McCullum will be overjoyed by a return to form for Ollie Pope and his captain Ben Stokes.

Surrey’s Pope hit a crucial 77 at six when England found themselves in some strife, while Stokes’ knock of 80 gave them a huge lead of 151 on first innings.

It wasn’t the vintage or brutal Stokes we’ve become accustomed to seeing, however his dogged resistance enabled Atkinson and Carse down the order to play more expansively and build that substantial lead.

The next question is whether they can back it up in the second Test.

Deliver like this in Wellington and England might just seal the series with one match to spare…

Carse Ashes bound?

With Mark Wood battling another injury, Jofra Archer facing a phased return to the longest format, and the legendary Jimmy Anderson retiring earlier this summer, England have been desperately crying out for another paceman to throw his hat in the ring.

Gus Atkinson shone over the home summer with bat and ball against West Indies and Sri Lanka, illustrating his talent and potential.

However, one might argue that Carse’s introduction to Test cricket has been equally impressive. If not more.

After snaffling nine wickets on the docile surfaces of Pakistan, offering little to no assistance for quicks, Carse broke a long-standing milestone at the Hagley Oval to take his tally to 19 in three Tests.

This is an achievement all the more remarkable given that Carse was only recently banned for a series of betting breaches, putting his international career in jeopardy.

His friend and Durham teammate Ben Stokes was firmly by his side in the low points, an admirable show of faith that now sees the pair of them fully reaping the rewards.

Better still and Carse’s ability to bowl a consistent hard length will be a very useful asset down under as England seek to regain the urn in Australia next winter.

He might not be express pace but the weapons he does possess are enough to trouble anyone.

12 months is a long time but you imagine Carse is almost certainly heading on that plane.

It’s almost crazy to think that’s he leapfrogged the likes of Matthew Potts and Olly Stone in the pecking order after a matter of three Tests.

A true marker of how good he’s been…