England complete series victory with thumping second Test win over New Zealand in Wellington
By Samuel Rooke
Published 08/12/2024 at 09:11 GMT
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England completed a long-awaited Test series victory in New Zealand on Sunday morning, dislodging determined resistance to seal a 323-run win. Not since 2008 have England managed to defeat the Black Caps in New Zealand, but captain Ben Stokes' side made it look rather straightforward. Stokes himself ripped through the hosts' tail, but credit will be shared across the bowling attack.
Stokes snares Southee as England wrap up series win over New Zealand
Video credit: TNT Sports
England completed a historic series victory in New Zealand early on Sunday morning, sweeping to victory by 323 runs in the second Test in Wellington.
England had set New Zealand a mammoth target of 583 for victory after declaring at 427-6 on Saturday evening, and the hosts faced nine further sessions of batting in blustery conditions.
Joe Root had raised his bat for his 36th Test century earlier in the day, and New Zealand would have needed to find comparable heroics in their ranks.
Opener Devon Conway fell for a fifth ball duck, while Kane Williamson faced just 16 deliveries for four runs before also being dismissed. Chris Woakes took both wickets. Tom Latham went next, caught and bowled by Brydon Carse.
The wickets continued to tumble while Tom Blundell played something of a lone hand. He and Nathan Smith managed to put on a 96-run stand for the 7th wicket, during which Blundell (115) reached his hundred, but they were only delaying the inevitable.
From 236-6, New Zealand were all out a little over six overs later, having added just 13 more runs.
Captain Ben Stokes ripped through the tail, taking three wickets at the cost of just five runs and sealing both Test and series victory.
England batter Harry Brook was named player of the match, following his match-turning century in the first innings and smart 55 in the second.
Speaking after the match, Brook paid special attention to the difficult conditions.
He said: "Unbelievable. It's extremely windy today so the toil the boys put in bowling into the wind was exceptional and to get it done in three days is extra sweet."
Stokes, too, was delighted with victory, and reminded listeners that England had been in a terrible state early in the match.
He said: "Amazing to be stood here winning the series after being 40-4 on day one. The way Harry Brook and Olllie Pope played on day one set up this game for us... Jacob Bethell has certainly shown us what he's about and shown the world what he's about."
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Stokes also turned his attention to his bowling attack.
"The bowling performance through the first two matches has been exceptional," he added. "Bash today, he did one of those jobs for the team bowling into that ridiculous wind. The way New Zealand came after him and he kept a smile on his face and kept bowling and bowling shows his character."
Not since Andrew Strauss' colossal third Test century in 2008 had England managed to win a series in New Zealand. The opposing captains in that series - Daniel Vettori and Michael Vaughan - are both long since retired, while current England coach Brendon McCullum was dismissed in the final innings by Monty Panesar.
Since then, four English sides have travelled to New Zealand only to return empty-handed.
It also bears repeating that this New Zealand side is just six weeks past having thrashed India 3-0 in India.
England can secure a comprehensive series victory of their own in the final Test in Hamilton, which begins at 22:00 UK time on Friday - live on TNT Sports.
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