PLAYER RATINGS: Harry Brook had a Test start to compare with the very best against New Zealand

England lost one of the most incredible Tests of all time in heart-breaking fashion on Tuesday morning when Jimmy Anderson was dismissed with just two runs needed for victory.

With two needed Anderson, who had smashed a four off Neil Wagner’s previous over, got the faintest of tickles down the legside off the left-armer into the safe hands of Tom Blundell to give New Zealand victory.

It is a bitterly disappointing result for England as they missed out on a historic seventh successive Test win and it was also the first time they’ve ever lost after asking anyone to follow on. 

New Zealand, on the other hand, protected an unbeaten home run that stretches back to 2017 as their first win after following-on earns a 1-1 draw in the series.

And, here, Sportsmail’s Paul Newman gives his verdict on the performances from both sets of players in Wellington.

England

Zak Crawley – 3 

Just 58 runs in four innings and fallible in the slips. Suddenly that hundred in Rawalpindi looks a long time ago. Must be struggling to play in the Ashes.

Ben Duckett – 7.5 

Excellent contribution in Mount Manganui appears to have sealed his Ashes spot but could still be troubled by pace and bounce outside off-stump.

Ollie Pope – 5 

Not a great series for the favourite to become the next England Test captain and looked both nervous and frenetic in the final day run chase.

Joe Root – 9 

Said he wasn’t sure of his ‘Bazball’ role but found his perfect pace with unbeaten 153. Loses half a mark for not seeing England home and running out Harry Brook.

Harry Brook – 9.5 

The best of his four centuries to date gives him a Test start to compare with the very best and his ‘golden arm’ snared Kane Williamson. Run out not his fault.

Ben Stokes – 6 

We gave him top marks last week for his captaincy alone but can’t do that again with his left knee stopping him bowling and two poor shots to twice give it away.

Ben Foakes – 8 

Brilliant keeping to effect dismissals even other than his own work, like standing up to Stuart Broad, and so nearly the batting hero. England will drop him at their peril.

Harry Brook had a Test start to compare with the very best after shining against New Zealand

Stuart Broad – 7.5 

Another of his match-winning spells in Mount Maunganui and 10 wickets at 26 in the series marks another impressive performance. Nighthawk hasn’t flown very far yet.

Ollie Robinson – 6

Bowled better than six wickets at 34 suggests and looked to be carrying a minor injury in second Test. But one of the first names on bowling team-sheet now.

Jack Leach – 6.5 

Huge effort in second innings in Wellington to finish with a five-for and 10 wickets in the series at 35. Never going to be a world-beater but Stokes values him highly.

Jimmy Anderson – 8 

Still imperious, still going strong and a certainty to lead England’s attack in the Ashes after 10 wickets at just 16 here. Heart-breaking he couldn’t make winning runs.

New Zealand

Devon Conway 7, Tom Latham 7.5, Kane Williamson 8, Will Young 3, Henry Nicholls 5, Daryl Mitchell 6.5, Tom Blundell 8.5, Michael Bracewell 6, Tim Southee 8, Matt Henry 8, Neil Wagner 7.5 Blair Tickner 5 Scott Kuggeliejn 6.