Stokes hails Bethell after England’s ‘phenomenal’ victory in New Zealand

Win by 323 runs inside three days secures series triumph
Stokes: Bethell ‘proved why we rate him so highly’

After securing a win inside three days in a howling gale, the series victory over New Zealand also claimed with a Test match to spare, Ben Stokes was blown away himself. “Quite phenomenal,” was the England captain’s reaction to the monstrous 323-run scoreline, not least after losing four wickets on the first morning of the match.

What followed from Stokes was a deluge of praise for his players, including Harry Brook for a gamechanging 123 in the first innings and Gus Atkinson for continuing a remarkable first year of Test cricket with a hat-trick. But Stokes was also happy to give himself and head coach Brendon McCullum a pat on the back for thrusting young Jacob Bethell into the No 3 spot and watching him flourish in the process.

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