England stormed to a resounding 323-run victory over New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington, ending a 16-year drought for a series win in New Zealand and securing their first away series triumph in two years. The dominant performance marked England’s seventh-largest Test win by runs in their history.
Joe Root Joins Elite List with 36th Test Century
Joe Root set the tone for England on day three, notching his 36th Test century with a reverse-ramped four. The knock moved Root into a tie for fifth on the all-time Test centuries list alongside India’s Rahul Dravid. Resuming on 378-5, England declared at 427-6, setting New Zealand an improbable target of 583 runs to win.
- England Second Innings Highlights:
- Joe Root: 106
- Jacob Bethell: 96
- Ben Duckett: 92
England’s Bowlers Dominate Despite Blundell’s Resistance
England’s bowling unit wasted no time dismantling New Zealand’s top order. By lunch, the hosts were reeling at 59-4, thanks to fiery spells from Chris Woakes (2-20) and Brydon Carse (2-53).
Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell provided the only spark for New Zealand, blasting a thrilling 96-ball 115, his century coming with some aggressive stroke play. However, Shoaib Bashir (2-110) eventually dismissed Blundell, and skipper Ben Stokes (3-5) cleaned up the tail with a devastating three-over burst to secure the win.
Score Summary
| Team | Innings Performance |
|---|---|
| England (1st Innings) | 280 all out (54.4 overs): Harry Brook 123, Ollie Pope 66 |
| New Zealand (1st Innings) | 125 all out (34.5 overs): Kane Williamson 37, Gus Atkinson 4-31 |
| England (2nd Innings) | 427-6 declared (82.3 overs): Joe Root 106, Jacob Bethell 96 |
| New Zealand (2nd Innings) | 259 all out (54.2 overs): Tom Blundell 115, Nathan Smith 42 |
Key Milestones
- England’s first away series win since their 3-0 sweep in Pakistan in 2022.
- First series victory in New Zealand since 2008.
- Seventh-largest win in terms of runs in England’s Test history.
Looking Ahead
England’s emphatic victory under Ben Stokes’ captaincy signals a strong resurgence in red-ball cricket. The team now turns its focus to further cementing their dominance as they prepare for future series, aiming to build on their recent success.
