New Zealand v England: After the Bash at the Basin, bring on the Ashes
The raw facts are that England lost the second Test to New Zealand by a run, only the second such defeat in history.
England lost a Test after trailing the opposition for the first time, the fourth such defeat in history . The streak was leveled at 1-1.
Feelings? Not so simple.
The anguish of Harry Brook who runs out without facing a ball, the drunken Joe Root strikes back.
The pain of Ben Stokes' provocative limp, the wonder of the 'place where Neil Wagner found the energy to play bowl bouncer after bouncer.
The growing belief in Ben Foakes , the comfort of knowing that Jack Leach has shaped as England cricket's most famous sidekick.
En fact, being moved at the sight of James Anderson, 40 and 179 Tests deep, trailing down the middle with seven points needed to win, and then the direct joy of the seat when he bludgeoned Wagner for four.
And, at the end of it all, utter disbelief when A nderson tickles the side of the leg nestles d in Tom Blundell's gloves. A roar loud enough to stop traffic in the Mount Victoria Tunnel, Wellington's complete marvel.
Everyone inside the beautiful basin reserve is lucky to have seen it , to have had the sensation - all the sensations - that only a sport of this kind can give.
It was last May when Brendon McCullum walked into Lord's as the new head coach and said England could be the team to save Test cricket.
Even McCullum, who left such an indelible mark on cricket in his own country that he makes ideal dancing partners of New Zealand and the England, couldn't imagine it would turn out quite like this.
Whether or not you think it was a test cricket celebration or an opportunity squandered by the England is an individual opinion why the sport exists.
In another world they might have it won a day earlier and the match would already have been forgotten. Instead, they lost and will be talked about for many years to come.
Maybe there is a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. Perhaps the emphasis on winning over entertainment has created changes in circumstances, opponents, and the prize offered.
"Being part of this game was amazing," England captain Stokes said. "That's why you play test cricket, to be in those moments.
"That's not to say for a second, we don't care about winning or losing. We are disappointed when we lose. We also like to win - it's something we'll always give ourselves the best opportunity to do.
" If it's . ..
The raw facts are that England lost the second Test to New Zealand by a run, only the second such defeat in history.
England lost a Test after trailing the opposition for the first time, the fourth such defeat in history . The streak was leveled at 1-1.
Feelings? Not so simple.
The anguish of Harry Brook who runs out without facing a ball, the drunken Joe Root strikes back.
The pain of Ben Stokes' provocative limp, the wonder of the 'place where Neil Wagner found the energy to play bowl bouncer after bouncer.
The growing belief in Ben Foakes , the comfort of knowing that Jack Leach has shaped as England cricket's most famous sidekick.
En fact, being moved at the sight of James Anderson, 40 and 179 Tests deep, trailing down the middle with seven points needed to win, and then the direct joy of the seat when he bludgeoned Wagner for four.
And, at the end of it all, utter disbelief when A nderson tickles the side of the leg nestles d in Tom Blundell's gloves. A roar loud enough to stop traffic in the Mount Victoria Tunnel, Wellington's complete marvel.
Everyone inside the beautiful basin reserve is lucky to have seen it , to have had the sensation - all the sensations - that only a sport of this kind can give.
It was last May when Brendon McCullum walked into Lord's as the new head coach and said England could be the team to save Test cricket.
Even McCullum, who left such an indelible mark on cricket in his own country that he makes ideal dancing partners of New Zealand and the England, couldn't imagine it would turn out quite like this.
Whether or not you think it was a test cricket celebration or an opportunity squandered by the England is an individual opinion why the sport exists.
In another world they might have it won a day earlier and the match would already have been forgotten. Instead, they lost and will be talked about for many years to come.
Maybe there is a sweet spot somewhere in the middle. Perhaps the emphasis on winning over entertainment has created changes in circumstances, opponents, and the prize offered.
"Being part of this game was amazing," England captain Stokes said. "That's why you play test cricket, to be in those moments.
"That's not to say for a second, we don't care about winning or losing. We are disappointed when we lose. We also like to win - it's something we'll always give ourselves the best opportunity to do.
" If it's . ..
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