Brendon McCullum was dismissed for a golden duck on the final day. Photo / AP
Three observations from the fourth day of the first test between New Zealand and England.
1. Dealing with pressure
When Alastair Cook was gripped in a vice requiring performance when it mattered, he made 162 and helped build England's lead to 344. When New Zealand faced similar circumstances they were 21
for three by lunch before Kane Williamson, B-J Watling and Corey Anderson gave hope for a draw in the afternoon.
Similarly spinner Mark Craig's had a phenomenal start to his career but struggled to tie down an end with match figures of 46-5-173-2. Tim Southee also took his share of punishment as a pace spearhead, delivering 58-5-266-3.
The trouble is pressure is impossible to replicate without being out there. Preventative measures can only help withstand the impact to a degree. It will be a fascinating aspect as to how the New Zealanders respond at Headingley. Sacrificing a 134-run lead to lose by 124 runs must hurt.
2. Ben Stokes' all-round demolition.
The man-of-the-match put the foundations in place for English hero status. He came to the wicket on the opening day at 30 for four and made 92 off 94 balls, in the second innings he made the fastest century at Lord's in 85 balls as part of a match-changing 132-run fifth-wicket stand with Cook. Southee attempted to lure Stokes into a false shot with shorter balls and got smoked for 53 runs from six overs with the second new ball.
Stokes complemented that by taking three wickets for 38 off 11 overs in the second innings after having two catches dropped in the first.
