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New Zealand became only the fourth team in Test history to win a match after going on to beat England in dramatic fashion on the final day of the second Test in Wellington.
Trailing with 210 runs still needed to reach the victory target of 258, the tourists were left reeling after being reduced to 80-5 by losing four quick wickets in the first 10 overs of the day at Basin Reserve
Joe Root and Ben Stokes came together to put a six-wicket stand of 121 which got the Chase back on track, but both collapsed in the afternoon session after each other leaving the tourists seven down with 56 still needed.
It was Neil Wagner’s 4-62 that proved decisive in swinging the match in favor of New Zealand, and it was the seamer who claimed the important final wicket of James Anderson to prevent the last man in for England to be the reliable batting hero, securing the win by the barest of boundaries and ensuring the series finish the level at 1-1.
Story of the day
Anyone expecting England to ‘Bazball’ their way to victory on the morning of the final day of the Test was given an early jolt, starting when night-watchman Ollie Robinson departed for two in the third over after being resumed, top-edging. Tim Southee to Michael Bracewell.
Opener Ben Duckett followed him back to the pavilion for 33 four overs later when he tried to clip the New Zealand captain over the off-side but instead got an edge which was snaffled by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
Then there was the disaster that saw Ollie Pope removed for just four by changing bowler Wagner, putting left-arm seamer Tom Latham in the slips, and rookie Harry Brook – who had top-scored for England in the first innings with 186 and was named player of the series – run out without facing the ball when Root went for one which was once left England stumbled.
Harry Brook suffered a strange run-out to leave England 80-5
However, the former England captain set to make amends for that alongside his successor Stokes, bringing up 57. Test half-century and see the tourists over for lunch with 90 needed for victory when they play again in the afternoon.
That seems to have slightly swung the match back in England’s favor. But Stokes, who has been struggling for mobility with a knee injury, played an awkward pull off Wagner in the 57th over which resulted in him being caught for 33 by Tom Latham.
Root then fell to the left-armer for 95 which included eight fours and three sixes two overs later as he tried to pull, only to be caught by Bracewell at midwicket, which left wicketkeeper Ben Foakes as the lone batsman to see. English home.
Foakes held his nerve after Stuart Broad’s cameo 11 from nine balls ended with him caught by Wagner off Matt Henry, right-handed and Jack Leach took a more obdurate approach to the chase and started slowly ticking off with two wickets in. arm.
Joe Root and Ben Stokes gave England hope of victory with a sixth wicket stand of 121
His 35 off 57 balls took England to within seven runs of the target of victory, but his attempt to pull a bouncer from Black Caps captain Southee ended with him caught in the deep by Wagner to ensure a close finish to the contest.
The world’s No. 1-ranked Test bowler Anderson almost wrote his name in history with the bat when he smacked four off Wagner to take England to within two runs of victory, but two overs later got the slightest touch on one of the seamer. which was carried over to wicketkeeper Blundell, sealing an improbable victory for New Zealand.
The result ensured the series ended level after England won the opening match of the series, and meant that the Black Caps avoided the first home series loss to the tourists since 2008. It was only the second loss England had suffered since Stokes captain and head coach. Brendon McCullum also took charge of the red ball team.
What they said
England captain Ben Stokes, spoke to BT sports
“Going down to the last day, being in that situation in the last half hour, that’s all you want – and even if we came out on the wrong side, you can’t feel lucky to have been able to do that. To be part of an incredible game like that.
“The disappointment of not winning, obviously, but you look at the bigger picture of what everyone likes and sees here, it’s probably bigger than the disappointment right now.
“It’s always our game to lose if we apply the follow-on and the logic behind it is that our opening bowlers have ripped the top order for three consecutive innings, and New Zealand have to play a perfect game to make us. In this kind of situation. Chasing 250 in the last round is something we will not worry about, but you have to give credit to New Zealand.
New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner
“This is special and we will celebrate it well.
“It was a fantastic achievement and obviously everyone contributed, so everyone is happy. This is what this team is all about, keep playing.
“That’s the only characteristic of this team, we still love to fight for each other.”
What’s next?
England’s white ball team is now in Bangladesh for the tour which consists of three one-day internationals and three T20 internationals, and starts on March 1. The next Test match is against England Ireland in God, starting Thursday, June 1.
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