Tuesday 26 May 2015 06:52, UK
Captain Alastair Cook praised England’s passion in beating New Zealand in the first Test at the end of a ‘rocky few weeks’.
Beating the Kiwis was exactly what the national side needed after a difficult period during which they have been on the receiving end of plenty of criticism.
Much of that has concerned the management of the team but there has also been a bitter public debate about Kevin Pietersen, with several former players suggesting the mercurial batsman should be restored to the team.
Cook felt winning the first Test of the series was of vital importance and said it was the result of the spirit within the group.
“It was a real team effort this week,” he said. “It’s been a rocky road for us over the past few weeks but the guys have come out and played with that freedom and passion.
“The lads and the backroom staff can be very proud of that.”
There was also some redemption on a personal level for Cook, who scored a 162 in England’s second innings that he feels ranks among his very best knocks.
“It’s certainly up there,” he said. “Those guys bowled incredibly well and put us under a lot of pressure. We lost Ian (Bell) early and then Joe (Root) came in and we got a little bit lucky.
“We played and missed a little bit but we got through that and Ben (Stokes) played an innings like I’ve never seen anyone play. I think we were 130 ahead when he came in and two hours later we were 270 or 280 ahead and I scored about 10 of them so it was a fantastic knock.
“From day three we bowled well. I don’t think we quite got it right on day two but on day three we came back and restricted them to a 130 lead.
“Then today we fought very hard on a very good cricket wicket.”
