England clinched a series win against New Zealand with a 323-run hammering of the hosts in the second Test in Wellington, their seventh biggest ever victory by runs.
Joe Root (106) opened the third day by bringing up his 36th Test ton – made by four with back-to-back wickets – to see him join Rahul Dravid in a tie for the fifth among the most prolific performers in the game.
England, after resuming the morning on 378-5 in their second innings, eventually declared 427-6 with the fall of Root's wicket and went straight for New Zealand's top order with the member
Set a record 583 to win, Chris Woakes (2-20) and Brydon Carse (2-53) combined to reduce the Black Caps to 59-4 on the stroke of lunch, before Tom Blundell (115) enjoyed himself in the afternoon with a hundred 96-member interesting.
New Zealand were never close to threatening a major comeback, however, with Shoaib Bashir (2-110) eventually accounting for the keeper, before England skipper Ben Stokes ran out (3-5) comfortably through the tail in three devastating. – over a blast to finish a very convincing victory.
This is Stokes' side's first away win in the away series in two years since their 3-0 whitewash over Pakistan in 2022, and their first victory over New Zealand since 2008. the third and final test in Hamilton on Saturday 14th December.
Stokes hails Brook's 'amazing' innings to set up win
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.
“Looking back to the start of this game, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope were just amazing on the first day to go out and play like that.
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Sky Sports' Nasser Hussain reflects on Harry Brook's blistering ton and how New Zealand went down on the first day of the second test against England.
“In terms of cricket, we call that wicket a snake pit. He was doing enough on the first day, a lot of help for the bowlers but you have the courage, back your own ability, and also the skill to go out and play was absolutely amazing.
“We've been incredible with the ball but the way Harry Brook played on the first day set the game for us.
“We see giving boys opportunities to go out and express themselves in difficult situations as the best way to see what they're all about.
“Jacob Bethell has certainly shown us what he's all about – and shown the world what he's all about too.”
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Ian Ward was delighted with Jacob Bethell's delight after he scored 96 for England on Day 2 of their second Test in New Zealand and believes his form could cause a selection headache.
Latham: It hurts that we didn't play our best
New Zealand captain Tom Latham:
“We're hurt. It's disappointing to lose like that, we only put up about 120 in the first innings and that put us on the back foot.
“Credit where credit is due. That was great from England, they had one man (Brook) who took it. The way he brought it in put us under pressure; he played some amazing shots.
“They kept their foot on their neck. We couldn't absorb that pressure and put it back on them.”
“It hurts that we didn't play our best. The boys tried hard; I don't doubt the effort. We came in today hoping to establish good partnerships but that didn't happen.
“We'll turn it up (in Hamilton) as we want to win the last test match. We know we weren't that good, but we'll try to turn that around.”
England's test tour of New Zealand
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