Kane Williamson lavishes praise on "special" New Zealand after victory over England

The Kiwis stayed patient on day five to secure a 1-0 lead in the series heading into the concluding Test at Hamilton this week

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has hailed the innings and 65-run win over England in the first Test at Bay Oval as one of the best of his tenure.

The Black Caps were faced with taking seven wickets on day five to complete victory, which was secured inside the first hour of the final session of the match.

It capped a remarkable turnaround from New Zealand after England dominated the first two days of the Test in Mount Maunganui.

Williamson's side were four wickets down in their first innings and still 209 runs behind at the start of day three but a double hundred from BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner's maiden Test century allowed them to declare with a handsome lead.

And though England offered feeble resistance Williamson was proud of his side, who now lead the series 1-0 ahead of the concluding Test in Hamilton this week.

"To lose the toss and be 350 behind in the first innings required something special," Williamson. "And it was something special for 200 overs to get us into a position which gave us a chance.

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"To get 600 gave us that opportunity to bowl last on that wicket, so a huge amount of credit goes to the way the middle-order built those partnerships. BJ Watling with 200 and Mitch Santner with his first Test hundred were incredibly valuable and hugely required. Colin de Grandhomme batted well, too.

"The pitch started to deteriorate which is what you want to see in Test cricket. But when you do see that you want to have won the toss. This is certainly right up there in terms of a tough, grinding Test victory."

Victory did come at a cost for the Kiwis, with Trent Boult a doubt for the second Test due to a rib problem that restricted him to just one over on day five.

Meanwhile, England's Ben Stokes appeared to be hindered by a knee problem while Jofra Archer bowled 42 overs.

"A lot was taken out of both teams in this Test," added Williamson. "It was a really tough effort for long periods. But we have that squad of 15 and all the guys will meet up in Hamilton and we will have to assess the fitness of everybody."

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