England’s heroes celebrated in style and into the night after an incredible win in the second Test over New Zealand at Trent Bridge.
The Three Lions secured an astonishing victory after they chased down a fourth innings target of 299 set by the Kiwis, in just 50 overs, to seal their first Test series victory in 18 months.
The final session was a swashbuckling affair with Jonny Bairstow crunching a 77-ball century and skipper Ben Stokes smashing 75 off 70 balls, to see England home.
And the Three Lions enjoyed an extended session sharing beers in the dressing room at the famous old ground, with wine and cigars on the pitch to mark a memorable match.
The players were pictured leaving Trent Bridge at 11.15pm, before heading across the River Trent and into the city, where they tucked into a mega takeaway, queuing up with starstruck fans at a popular late-night Nottingham eatery.
From there the team took the short walk to their £500-a-night hotel, where the after-party continued in the boutique establishment’s gardens.
Fast bowler Stuart Broad leaves Trent Bridge after 11pm following celebrations of England’s stunning win over New Zealand in the second Test in Nottingham
Bowling partner James Anderson, who took five wickets in the match, follows him out
England’s talisman, Joe Root, leaves the ground looking justifiably pleased with his work
There were wild celebrations at the end of the game, with a full house of 15,000 at Trent Bridge creating a carnival atmosphere.
‘A very special Test match win at a very special ground,’ fast bowler Stuart Broad, who took five wickets in the match and is a Notts native, reflected on Instagram.
‘Love everything about Trent Bridge,’ Broad said of his home ground. ‘Can’t quite believe how much cricket we seemed to fit into 5 days there!
‘The match had everything but I will always remember it for @jbairstow21 brutal innings after tea. What an enjoyable experience watching that with a full house in. Loved it.’
Broad was photographed later, on Paul Collingwood’s Instagram, enjoying the victory
England’s hero Jonny Bairstow of England celebrates reaching his century during the fifth day
England’s Joe Root and Matthew Potts led the celebrations on the balcony, applauding the man of match Jonny Bairstow
It was a victory worth celebrating and the England lads rightly did just that.
They got the party started in the dressing room, where England players were initially joined by jubilant family members, and where they stayed locked in and sharing beers for hours after the close of play.
As the sun slipped down behind the William Clarke Stand and the famous Trent Bridge Inn beyond it, the team returned to the field of their triumph and sipped wine on the outfield, while drinking in the sweet success of victory until after 11pm.
Stuart Broad was snapped enjoying a glass of red wine with a cigar, in an image that appeared on former interim head coach, Paul Collingwood’s Instagram. Collingwood himself was pictured with a bottle of peroni and a celebratory smoke.
Sportsmail understands Captain Ben Stokes, as well as new coach, Brendon McCullum, who has encouraged the players to believe in their ability to win any game, addressed the team.
His positivity was on show in Nottingham after New Zealand posted a first innings total of 553. England almost matched it, scoring 539, before bowling New Zealand out for 284 to set up an extraordinary finale.
But while the players enjoyed their success and marked a memorable win, the celebrations were low key in comparison to previous English teams.
England players celebrated into the night after a sensational win over New Zealand
Michael Vaughan’s Ashes winning side of 2005 set the benchmark with an all-night bender after England beat Australia in a series for the first time since 1987 when they secured a draw in the final Test at The Oval.
In the days that followed all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and star-batter Kevin Pietersen led the memorable celebrations.
Still, the class of 2022 had a good night.
During the dressing room session, senior players followed the skipper and coach and had their say on proceedings with an emphasis on the full five days play, not just the pyrotechnics that broke Kiwi hearts – and thrilled the crowds – after tea in the last session.
The team were pictured leaving Trent Bridge at 11.15pm. None looked worse for wear, but they all appeared deeply satisfied with five days of hard work and centurion, Joe Root, could not keep a beaming smile off his face.
Following their celebrations at the ground, the players refuelled at a city-centre take-away, Mega Munch, on Long Row, just off the city’s Old Market Square. The scene, which saw wide-eyed fans looking on as the England team passed back chips and kebabs, was captured on video by Akmal Hussain and posted to TikTok.
A full-house at Trent Bridge created a carnival atmosphere as England chased down the runs
Jonny Bairstow was the man of the match after the second Test for his match-winning innings
Even elite athletes need a little treat now and again.
‘What better way to celebrate a famous Test win than with a big dirty takeaway?’ wrote Danny Senior, a sports journalism graduate, on Twitter alongside a video of the players, led by the world’s in form batsman, Joe Root, at the front of the queue.
‘Foakes still looking 10/10 after a heavy night. Root and Lees propping up the counter. Anderson getting excited for his order to be ready,’ added Senior.
‘Pope ordering far too much food. Crawley looking round at lads scrapping thinking ‘is this what the North is like?’
After dealing with their ‘munchies’, it was a short walk back to the team hotel. England routinely stay at Hart’s, a boutique establishment built on the old ramparts of the city’s castle, when playing at Trent Bridge.
Hart’s is known locally for its fine restaurant, where you can pick up a chargrilled rump steak for £24. A room at the four-star hotel costs between £200 and £500.
Although it appears the team did not go straight to their bedrooms. They could be heard in the secluded hotel gardens, where the good-natured revelry continued until the small hours, as the players enjoyed a brilliant and well-deserved win.