Tom Blundell’s hundred gives New Zealand hope but England forge ahead

17.02.2023 - 12:43 theguardian.com

There may be a strong Kiwi influence underpinning England’s electric approach to Test cricket these days but, on the eve of this series opener, Tim Southee stressed his New Zealand team would not be veering from their own tried and trusted approach.

After all, New Zealand have not lost a home series in the past five years and while the mace may be changing hands soon, world champion status is still theirs.

It was built on days like the second witnessed here at the Bay Oval, as Tom Blundell’s career-best 138 dragged them to within 19 runs of England’s first innings 325 for nine declared.

Ollie Robinson’s stock overseas continued its rise with four wickets, while Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad drew level with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath’s 1,001 Test wickets in tandem.

cricket bowling Ollie Robinson Stuart Broad Jimmy Anderson Zak Crawley Shane Warne Tom Blundell Tim Southee Glenn Macgrath New Zealand

Ben Stokes: 110 runs at 27.50; one wicket at 54; one catchBy the end the body was broken, the was spirit bruised but the attitude was still intact – I was reminded of Fred Dibnah, the ruins of a tall chimney at his feet, grinning and asking “Did you like that?” A rare series win in New Zealand was sacrificed on the altar of Bazball, a chance to set a target of more than 500 for the draw, which would have secured the series, eschewed with the follow-on. But an unforgettable denouement became the legacy, as Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner charged through a door ever so slightly ajar. Are you not entertained? That said, is the price worth paying? You would have to possess no soul to say no conclusively. Grade B

"Test Cricket Is Best Cricket": Virender Sehwag And Others Hail New Zealand's Win vs England

New Zealand scripted a beautiful story to become the fourth team to secure a Test victory after facing a follow-on. Each player stepped up when the moment demanded it. Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner played a pivotal role in making this test match a classic one. After being put into bat by New Zealand captain Tim Southee, England put up a blistering performance in the first innings of the second Test. On the back of hundreds from Harry Brook (186) and Joe Root (153*), they got to 435/8 in merely 87.1 overs. England's bowlers then got into the act to bundle out the Kiwis for 209. England skipper Ben Stokes enforced the follow-on.

Watch: "Test Cricket At Its Finest" - How Neil Wagner Sealed New Zealand's Dramatic Win Over England

New Zealand on Tuesday edged out England by 1 runs to win the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington and levelled the two-match series at 1-1. Neil Wagner was the star of the show for the Kiwis as he bagged a four-wicket haul, including the decisive wicket of James Anderson. With England needing two just two runs to sweep the series, Wagner targetted Anderson with short balls and was rewarded with it as New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell pulled off a diving catch to make history.

SA-born Wagner stars as New Zealand beat England by 1 run in Test thriller

New Zealand beat England by just one run in a second-Test thriller on Tuesday to draw the series in the most dramatic fashion in Wellington.

New Zealand Beat England By 1 Run In Thriller, Achieve Rare Test Feat

New Zealand beat England by just one run in a second-Test thriller on Tuesday to draw the series despite having been forced to follow-on in Wellington. With the win, New Zealand became just the third team (after England and India) to win a Test match after following on. It was only the fourth occasion a team has won a Test after being asked to follow on. England managed it twice, against Australia in 1894 and 1981, while India beat Australia in 2001. New Zealand set England a target of 258 runs to win, but the visitors were all out for 256 in dramatic scenes as the two-Test series finished 1-1.

New Zealand vs England, 2nd Test, Day 5, Live Score Updates

New Zealand vs England, 2nd Test Day 5 Live Updates:England will begin the final Day of the second Test against New Zealand at 48/1 with the visitors needing 210 runs more to win. Ben Duckett (23*) and Ollie Robinson (1*) are standing unbeaten at the crease. Earlier, Record-breaker Kane Williamson stroked a superb century Monday to steer New Zealand to 483 all out in their second innings and set England a target of 258 runs to win the second Test in Wellington. Former captain Williamson hit 132 and Tom Blundell was last man out for 90 as the hosts fought back after being asked to follow on. (LIVE SCORECARD)