2nd Test
Day-3 Highlights:
England team has clinched the series victory after Tom Blundell’s fighting century
England scored 280 (1st Innings) & 427/6 decl. (2nd Innings), where as New Zealand scored 125 (1st Innings) & 280 (2nd Innings).
So, finally England beat New Zealand by 323 runs.
Joe Root scored his 36th Test century, setting up England’s swift victory in the second Test.
England required just a little over two sessions to wrap up the match after setting New Zealand a daunting target of 583.
New Zealand, facing a collapse from the start, ultimately folded for 280, despite a valiant and entertaining century from Tom Blundell.
England followed up their eight-wicket win in Christchurch with a dominant 323-run victory in Wellington, securing a 2-0 series lead with one Test remaining.
Root, starting the day on 73, quickly brought up his century in spectacular fashion with a reverse ramp shot over the wicketkeeper for four.
England, having extended their lead past 500 on Day 2, maintained their aggressive batting style, adding 49 runs in just 6.3 overs.
This included Root’s century off 127 balls and a rapid partnership of 100 runs in 79 balls between him and Ben Stokes.
Root fell to William O’Rourke, caught behind, and England declared, leaving New Zealand with the massive target of 583.
Chris Woakes struck early in New Zealand’s chase, dismissing Devon Conway for a duck.
The bowlers maintained constant pressure, with Woakes getting Kane Williamson to nick behind and Brydon Carse removing Tom Latham for a spectacular return catch.
Carse and Woakes continued their dominance, reducing New Zealand to 33/3 by Lunch.
Daryll Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra looked to stabilize, but Carse removed Ravindra.
Blundell, aided by a lucky reprieve when dropped on nought, led New Zealand’s fightback after Lunch.
He and Mitchell built a partnership before Mitchell was dismissed by Gus Atkinson.
Blundell and Glenn Phillips added quick runs, but Phillips fell to Shoaib Bashir after an aggressive cameo.
Blundell continued to show defiance, reaching a half-century off 56 balls, with Nathan Smith matching his aggression.
The pair added 97 runs, taking New Zealand to 199/6 at Tea.
Blundell, now on 99, took risks but eventually reached his century after an inside edge, to the delight of the home crowd.
His innings came to an end when Ben Duckett, anticipating a paddle sweep, made a brilliant catch at first slip.
Ben Stokes then took control, removing the tail.
Matt Henry fell to a short ball, with Jacob Bethell completing the catch.
Nathan Smith was dismissed for a catch behind the stumps, and Tim Southee, in his final Test at Basin Reserve, fell to another Stokes bouncer.
The match ended with Stokes’ final wicket, and England sealed both the game and the series.
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