Monday 25 May 2015 20:38, UK
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was full of praise for 'enterprising' England after the tourists lost the first Test by 124 runs on a thrilling final day at Lord's.
The Black Caps were set 345 for victory but saw their top order decimated as England's opening bowlers, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, reduced them to 12-3.
BJ Watling batted with great resilience for his three-hour 57 and Corey Anderson adopted more attacking tactics for his 67 but Ben Stokes, who scored 92 and 101 with the bat, took 3-38 to send back the middle order and set the hosts on their way to victory.
Speaking to Sky Sports' Michael Atherton afterwards, McCullum said: "It's no consolation. We're hurting but I thought we played our part in what was a tremendous Test match and a great advertisement for the game.
"All credit to England. The way they played right throughout - even when we were dominating, they kept giving and kept getting themselves back in the game. Then, when it was on the line they grabbed the initiative. Credit to them because I thought they played an enterprising brand of cricket too.
"Credit to our boys too. I was really pleased with the way they played. I thought the game overall was played in tremendous spirit as well.
"We got over 730 runs in the Test match and still lost by over 100 runs. I thought the pitch was outstanding. To be play in front of a full house every day at the home of cricket is something not everyone gets the opportunity to do so our guys are really proud of that opportunity.
"We walk away with our heads held high, look forward to Headingley and give all credit to Alastair and his team.
There's such a fine line between success and failure when you've got two good teams playing that style of cricket.
"There's such a fine line between success and failure when you've got two good teams playing that style of cricket. There was times we went past the bat but we weren't able to generate the wickets we wanted and it takes skill to withstand that sort of pressure.
"Then, when Ben and Joe Root came out, they played with freedom. That put us under pressure and put them back in the game. This morning I felt we got back into it and we were realistically attempting to try and chase down that total as well.
"To lose three of your top six inside four balls, firstly you have to give credit to the bowling and secondly it rips the heart out of your chase."
On the decision to demote himself down the order, McCullum added: "It was a tactical decision from us. We felt that BJ Watling has done it time and time again for us in crunch situations. He's such a tremendous fighter and we felt that if we could generate a partnership between Kane Williamson and BJ it would allow some of the hitters to come to have a second wave of attack.
"It wasn't to be, but that was the thinking behind it. I guess you've got to keeping making plays in this game if you want to win Test matches and that was what we were trying to do. We weren't able to do it but we'll keep looking to play that way."
