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DAY 3: England secure dominant victory in second test to win series

tennis08 December 2024 06:13| © Reuters
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England finally faced some resistance from New Zealand in the shape of Tom Blundell's defiant century but dismissed the Black Caps for 259 to wrap up a thumping 323-run victory on the third day of the second test on Sunday.

The win in Wellington, seven days after an equally comfortable eight-wicket victory in Christchurch, ensured England a first series win in New Zealand since 2008 with the Hamilton test still to come.

Joe Root earlier secured his 36th test hundred before England skipper Ben Stokes declared on 427-6 to present the Blacks Caps with a mammoth target of 583.

Blundell bucked his recent form with a 102-ball 115 but the damage had already been done to the New Zealand top order by England's rampant seam attack.

When Blundell was dismissed by a fine catch from Ben Duckett off the bowling of spinner Shoaib Bashir in the first hour of the final session, the writing was on the wall.

Stokes (3-5) brought himself on for the first time to remove Matt Henry with his fourth delivery and ended Nathan Smith's innings on 42 in his second over.

He delivered the coup de grace for England's biggest ever victory by runs over New Zealand when Tim Southee swung big looking for a six but only managed to find Chris Woakes.

Stokes paid tribute to Harry Brook, who was named Player of the Match for his century in the first innings, and Ollie Pope for the partnership that dragged England back into the match on the opening day.

"Amazing to be stood here winning the series, in particular after being 43-4 on day one," said Stokes.

"I think Harry Brook and Ollie Pope were just amazing on day one, to go out there and play like that. That wicket, in cricket terms, is what we call a snake pit.

"To have the skill to be able to go out and play like that was just absolutely phenomenal. We've been unbelievable with the ball but I think the way that Harry Brook and Ollie Pope played on day one set this game up for us."

'HURTING'

England had resumed on a blustery morning at Basin Reserve on 378-5 looking to quickly inflate their already imposing lead of 533 before sending the Blacks Caps in to bat.

The orthodox Root has not been the most natural player of the "Bazball" style of aggressive batting England have played under coach Brendon McCullum.

The 33-year-old, however, showed a real flash of creativity to secure his 127-ball century with a glorious reverse-ramp for the 10th of the 11 fours in his knock.

After Root edged behind for 106, Stokes raced off the field unbeaten on 49 keen to get his bowlers out and stuck in to the Black Caps.

Woakes did the early damage by bowling the hapless Devon Conway for a five-ball duck and having Kane Williamson caught behind off a thin edge for four.

The impressive Brydon Carse chipped in with a brilliant caught-and-bowled dismissal of Tom Latham for 24 before giving Pope more catching practice behind the stumps to remove Rachin Ravindra for six.

Blundell's run-a-ball innings was a rare highlight at Basin Reserve for New Zealand, who had been outplayed by England with both bat and ball for all but the first session of the match.

"We're obviously hurting," said New Zealand skipper Latham.

"It's disappointing to lose in that fashion, I think after the first innings, putting them under pressure. Harry played a fantastic innings there.

"Credit where credit's due. I thought that was a fantastic innings. You look down that scorecard, there's one guy that took it away from us."

NEW ZEALAND: Tom Latham (capt), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Will O'Rourke.

ENGLAND: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (capt), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.

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