Tom Latham – 3
Three runs in the match but it is the manner of his dismissal in the second innings that stands out. The loosest of loose drives to gift England a wicket on a pitch where bowlers really did not need any favours.
Devon Conway – 4
Umpire’s call went against him as Robinson got on a roll first time round but battled hard to make 41 in the second to give the Black Caps a flicker of hope. Two costly drops, one in each innings, knock a mark or two off his score.
Kane Williamson – 3
A Test great but his record in England is iffy and this game did not help his numbers. A duck in his first dig followed by 18 in the second. Two matches left in what is likely his final Test tour of England so he will hope for better before he’s done.
Rachin Ravindra – 2
A shocker of a Test for the left-hander. A golden duck in the first innings, he dropped two dollies and had his off stump pegged back as he went cheaply second time round.
Daryl Mitchell – 4
England’s kryptonite in previous series, Mitchell gave the hosts a helping hand with a misjudged leave on day one before Robinson got him lbw without scoring between rain delays two days later.
Tom Blundell – 3
Steady with the gloves but with the bat he scored eight runs across two innings and was twice undone by Tongue, albeit there was little he could do either time.
Glenn Phillips – 7
Scores of 34 and 44 not out are big numbers in the context of this game. Tried to put the pressure back on England’s bowlers, particularly in the chase, but with wickets falling around him, there was far too much to do.
Nathan Smith – 8
The least heralded of the New Zealand seamers coming into this match, Smith ended it with nine wickets, including 6-70 in England’s second innings, as he showed his ability to consistently hit a good area and move the ball both ways.
Kyle Jamieson – 8
Back in the team after finally putting his injuries troubles behind him, the big seamer was excellent in getting himself on the honours board with a five-for in the first innings and a few lusty blows with the bat got the Kiwis close to parity on first innings.
Will O’Rourke – 7
A similarly towering stature as Jamieson but around 10mph quicker, O’Rourke is a real handful and will feel he deserved more than his four wickets in the match after a couple of particularly fiery spells.
Matt Henry – 5
Back spasms limited Henry to only four overs in the first innings and meant he was far from 100% as he valiantly bowled 11 overs in the second. Getting him fully fit for the second Test will be a priority for the Black Caps.
