Ben Stokes gives fitness update after getting injured during 1st Test versus New Zealand

England cricket captain Ben Stokes gave a huge scare to his fans during the first Test match against New Zealand on Sunday. The 33-year-old had suffered a stiff back while field as his team beat New Zealand by 8 wickets. The win in Christchurch meant that England now holds 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. 

Speaking at the end of the game, Stokes said, "I hurt my back diving for a ball as well. It's more management than anything else: with where we were in the game, it didn't feel necessary to eke out any more balls than I needed to. I think the body is going to be good for this outing, and I'm raring to go for Wellington."

New Zealand needed to win the series to keep their hopes of making it to the WTC finals. Tom Latham and his  team now have to avoid defeat in the next two matches with the second Test match set to be played on 6th December.

England romp home to easy win Christchurch

Daryl Mitchell and Nathan Smith resumed the day with the home team just 4 runs ahead and having lost 6 wickets. The 37-run stand was broken when Nathan Smith was out for 21 to Brydon Carse. England’s pacer struck again to dismiss Matt Henry for 1 to leave the hosts at 192/8. 

Tim Southee playing his final Test series was then out for 12 when he was caught by Joe Root to give Gus Atkinson his first wicket. Daryl Mitchell and William O Rourke then added 45 for the last wicket with Mitchell being the last man out. The veteran batter scored 84 off 167 before becoming Carse’ 6th wicket. 

Needing 104 to win, England coasted to the target in just 12.4 overs. Zak Crawley was out for 1 falling to Henry. Ben Duckett then scored 27 off 18 balls before he was out caught by Henry off O Rourke. Jacob Bethell playing his 1st Test scored 50 not out from 37 balls while Joe Root was not out on 23 off 15 balls to help England win.