Kiwi wicketkeeper BJ Watling emulates Don Bradman and other records in first Test against England

New Zealand post mammoth 615-9 declared in first Test in Mount Maunganui

New Zealand's BJ Watling scored a double century against England in the first Test at Mount Maunganui. AP

New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling crushed England under a mountain of runs as his first double ton in Test cricket helped the Kiwis post a mammoth 615-9 declared in Mount Maunganui.

Watling, who was dropped by Ben Stokes on 27, scored 205 off 473 balls with 24 boundaries and one six to put the hosts on the path to victory.

He was at the crease for a staggering 667 minutes and added 261 runs with Mitchell Santner, who registered his first Test century – 126.

Watling and the Kiwis broke numerous records during their marathon first innings that lasted 201 overs.

1. It was New Zealand's highest score against England, surpassing 551-9 at Lord's in 1973.

2. The Watling-Santner stand of 261 was a New Zealand record for the seventh wicket, beating the 225 set by Chris Cairns and Jacob Oram against South Africa in 2004.

3. Watling became the 10th wicketkeeper in Test history to score a double ton and the first Kiwi to do so.

4. It was the first double century scored by a wicketkeeper against England in Test cricket.

5. Watling's double ton was the first by a No 6 batsman against England since Australian great Don Bradman in 1946.

6. Up until he got out, Watling had played 698 balls in Test cricket without getting dismissed i.e. more than 116 overs.

7. Watling's 205 beat his previous Test best of 142 not out against Sri Lanka in 2015.