England captain Ben Stokes. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
England captain Ben Stokes feels "blessed" to have been part of the thrilling cricket Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, despite losing by one run.
The Black Caps edged past England in one of the all-time great finishes to draw the two-match series 1-1.
"It is disappointing to not win, but we look at the bigger picture," Stokes told BT Sport.
"What everyone has enjoyed here.. is probably bigger than any disappointment at the moment.
"Being in that situation in the last half an hour, it is everything you wish for.
"And even though we came out on the wrong side of it, you can't help but feel blessed that we managed to be a part of an incredible game like that."
Speaking to BBC Sport about the moment James Anderson was dismissed to seal New Zealand's win, Stokes said: "I didn't know how Jimmy would react when he walked off.
"He's been in those positions before where he's walked off disappointed, but the fact he was walking off smiling made everything we talk and speak about true and a reality."
Stokes said he has no regrets about enforcing the follow-on despite New Zealand becoming just the fourth side in history to win a Test having been asked to do so.
New Zealand celebrate their one run win over England. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"Imagine captaining in hindsight? That's not something I would ever do," he said.
"It was always our game to lose once we had enforced the follow-on. The logic was our bowlers had ripped through their top order three innings in a row and we knew New Zealand had to play pretty much the perfect game to put us in a situation like this," he said.
"Batting in the last innings chasing 250 is not something we were worried about, but you have to give huge credit to New Zealand not just for the way they batted in their second innings but the way they bowled and managed to get early wickets with not too many runs on the board.
"Other teams are allowed to play better than us and New Zealand played better than us this week."
England captain Ben Stokes (left) and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee share the spoils after the series was drawn 1-all. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
New Zealand captain Tim Southee said the dramatic finale can only be good for the longest form of the game.
"I have to say it ranks right up there," he said.
"There have only been a handful of sides to be asked to follow on and win so it is pretty special.
"We were on the back foot after two days and the character shown over the last three days has been really pleasing.
"It is great for Test cricket the way England have been playing and it was another great Test match to be involved in.
"All the guys here cherish Test cricket and hopefully having matches like this will be good for Test cricket going
forward."
-BBC
