ENG vs NZ: It's About Moving On Quickly – Kane Williamson After Losing First Test

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said the team will move on from the five-wicket loss to England in the first Test on Sunday at the Lord’s.

Daryl Mitchell (108) and Tom Blundell’s (96) fighting knocks helped the Black Caps post a 277-run lead in the second innings.

Kyle Jamieson picked three wickets to reduce the hosts to 69/4 before new England Test skipper Ben Stokes joined forces with his predecessor Joe Root.

The duo rescued England from another batting collapse through their 90-run stand. Stokes played the aggressor’s role, pounding five boundaries and three sixes, in his 54 off 110 balls.

Jamieson broke the alliance after accounting for the England skipper’s enterprising wicket. But Root stayed firm at the crease and kept the runs flowing off his bat.

Joe Root guides England to a five-wicket win in the first Test against Black Caps

Root’s resistance along with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes’ solid defence ensured England didn’t lose any wicket further on Day 3 at 216 for five.

Root and Foakes resumed the next day to put an unbroken 120-run stand as England sealed a comfortable win with a day to spare. Root’s unbeaten 115 inspired England’s second win in 18 Tests.

The former England skipper became the 14th player and second from England to complete 10,000 Test runs in his 26th Test hundred.

We’ll reflect on this and look forward to the next one: Kane Williamson

Williamson hailed Root’s innings and mentioned his quality as a red-ball player over the years. The New Zealand captain will take cue from their loss and come stronger in the second Test.

“We thought there might be some assistance from the overhead (conditions) but it wasn’t to be. It’s about moving on quickly and taking the learnings. There’s always plenty to take forward,” Williamson said.

“It was a fantastic game of cricket which took an incredible innings from an amazing player to get them across the line. It’s truly an unbelievable achievement, recognising the quality of the player and also his longevity.”

“Everybody wants to be contributing more. We’ll reflect on this and look forward to the next one,” he added.

The second Test between England and New Zealand will start on June 10 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Also Read: Joe Root Can Break Sachin Tendulkar’s Record For Most Runs In Test Cricket: Mark Taylor