New Zealand crashes to 323 run loss to England in 2nd test & are out of WTC final race

 


England showcased a dominant display in the second Test against New Zealand, sealing an emphatic 323-run victory on Sunday to secure the series with one game remaining.


Joe Root’s brilliant century laid the foundation for England’s commanding position, supported by a clinical bowling performance that dismissed New Zealand for 259 late on day three. This victory marked England’s first series win in New Zealand since 2008.


New Zealand struggled to compete, much like their eight-wicket defeat in Christchurch. Tom Blundell stood out with a valiant century while chasing an improbable target of 583. The wicketkeeper-batsman scored 115 before falling shortly after tea, caught spectacularly by Ben Duckett off Shoaib Bashir’s bowling.


Ben Stokes (3-5) wrapped up the tail, claiming Nathan Smith (42), Matt Henry (4), and finally Tim Southee (8) with a deep catch to end the match.


Earlier in the day, New Zealand limped to 59-4 at lunch, but Blundell, supported by Smith and Daryl Mitchell (32), provided some resistance in the middle session. Blundell played positively under pressure, hitting 13 fours and five sixes on his way to his fifth Test century, breaking a string of recent batting struggles.


Chris Woakes (2-20) was exceptional with the new ball despite challenging windy conditions. He dismissed Devon Conway for a duck and removed Kane Williamson for just four, caught behind. Brydon Carse (2-53) also impressed, sending Tom Latham back for 24 with a sharp return catch and forcing an edge from Rachin Ravindra (6).


Earlier in the day, Root reached his 36th Test century, scoring a masterful 106 before England declared at 427-6 about 30 minutes into the morning session. Root and Stokes added 49 runs to their overnight total, with Root reaching his milestone in style, playing an inventive reverse lap off Will O’Rourke. However, he was dismissed in the same over, edging to Blundell.


Stokes remained unbeaten on 49, having shared a blistering 100-run partnership with Root in just over 13 overs.


With this massive defeat New Zealand are  effectively out of the WTC final race . The inagural WTC winners in 2021 needed to beat England in both the last 2 tests to stay in the race but this defeat has ended their slim hopes . 


The final Test of the series is set to begin in Hamilton on Saturday.


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