England cruised to a series victory over New Zealand, thrashing the hosts by 323 runs in the second Test in Wellington, their seventh-biggest run-scoring total of all time.
Joe Root (106) opened the third day with his 36th Test ton, boosted by a reverse-ramp four to see him join Rahul Dravid as fifth among the game’s most prolific century makers.
England, resuming the morning on 378-5 in their second innings, eventually declared on 427-6 with the fall of Root’s wicket and immediately set about New Zealand’s top order with the ball.
Making a record 583 to win, Chris Woakes (2-20) and Brydon Carsey (2-53) combined to take the Black Caps to 59-4 at lunch, while Tom Blundell (115) enjoyed a thrilling 96 in the afternoon ball hundred.
New Zealand were never able to threaten the most epic comeback, however, with Shoaib Bashir (2-110) eventually accounting for the wicketkeeper-batsman before England captain Ben Stokes (3-5) duly ran in a devastating three-burst to complete a more emphatic win :
It is Stokes’ first away win in two years since beating Pakistan 3-0 in 2022, and their first in New Zealand since 2008. The third and final Test in Hamilton begins on Saturday, December 14.
Stokes hails ‘phenomenal’ Brook’s innings to seal victory
England captain Ben Stokes.
“It’s amazing to be standing here winning the series, especially after being 40-4 (43-4) on the first day.
“Harry Brook and Ollie Pope, looking at the start of this game, were just fantastic on the first day to come out and play like that.
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Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain reflects on Harry Brook’s blistering ton and how New Zealand collapsed on the first day of the second Test against England.
“In cricket terms, that wicket is what we call a snake pit. It was a lot of help to the bowlers, but to have the courage to back your own ability and to have the skill to go out and play like that was absolutely phenomenal.
“We were unbelievable on the ball but the way Harry Brook played on the first day made the game for us.
“We see giving guys the opportunity to go out there and perform under tough conditions as the best way to see what they’re doing.
“Jacob Bethel has certainly shown us what he’s about and shown the world what he’s about.”
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Ian Ward was impressed after Jacob Bethel’s relief as he scored 96 for England on Day 2 of their second Test in New Zealand and believes his form could cause a selection headache.
Latam: It’s a shame we didn’t play at our best
New Zealand captain Tom Latham.
“We’re sorry. It’s disappointing to lose like that, we scored about 120 runs in the first innings alone and it set us back.
“Credit where credit is due. It was fantastic from England, they had one guy (Brooke) take it. The way he took it put the pressure on us. he made some incredible shots.
“They kept their foot on the throat, we couldn’t absorb that pressure and put it on them again.”
“It’s a shame we didn’t play our best. The boys really tried, I don’t doubt the effort. We went in today hoping for a good partnership, but it didn’t happen.
“We’ll go into the last Test (in Hamilton) looking to win. We know we haven’t been at our best, but we’ll try to turn that around.”
