New Zealand vs England: Ben Stokes’ side win second Test in Wellington to claim series
England defeated New Zealand in the series with a resounding 323-run victory over three days in the second Test in Wellington.
England battled strong winds, the threat of showers and Tom Brundle’s bluff 115 after the home team posted a mammoth 583.
Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse took New Zealand to 59-4 before Blundell struck off spinner Shoaib Ba Shoaib Bashir’s offense brightened up a dark day.
The wicketkeeper hit Bashir for four sixes until his attempt to sweep the same bowler was caught brilliantly by the agile Ben Duckett, who ran over from slip.
Ben Stokes surged through the tail end with figures of 3-5, his best Test score in more than two years, as New Zealand were all out for 259.
England has the best margin of victory as far as games against New Zealand are concerned. It gave Stokes’ side their first away series win in two years and their first in this country since 2008.
On Sunday, England resumed their second innings at 378-5 and led by 533 runs.
Joe Root, 73, wasn’t an overnight success as he completed his 36th Test with iconic reverse tackle bowler Will O’Rourke century.
Root was bowled out for 106 in the same over, prompting England to declare 427-6. Stokes remains unbeaten in 49 games.
One minor issue for England is the fitness of Harry Brooke, who did not feature on Sunday as a precaution against ankle soreness.
England will have the chance to sweep the field in the third Test in Hamilton on Saturday (Friday 22:00 GMT).
