Islamabad, Dec 8: England secured a series win over New Zealand with a commanding 323-run victory in the second Test in Wellington, marking their seventh-largest victory in terms of runs.
Joe Root played a key role, scoring 106 and notching his 36th Test century on day three. Root’s century, brought up with a reverse-ramped four, tied him with Rahul Dravid for the fifth-most centuries in Test cricket history. England resumed on 378-5 in their second innings and declared on 427-6 with the fall of Root’s wicket, setting New Zealand a target of 583 to win.
The Black Caps were quickly reduced to 59-4 by Chris Woakes (2-20) and Brydon Carse (2-53) before lunch. Tom Blundell’s brilliant 96-ball century, scoring 115, provided some resistance. However, Shoaib Bashir (2-110) dismissed Blundell, and Ben Stokes (3-5) completed the job with a devastating three-over spell to bowl New Zealand out and seal the win.
England’s Largest Test Wins by Runs
- 675 runs vs. Australia, Brisbane, 1928
- 354 runs vs. Pakistan, Trent Bridge, 2010
- 347 runs vs. Australia, Lord’s, 2013
- 338 runs vs. Australia, Adelaide, 1933
- 330 runs vs. Pakistan, Old Trafford, 2016
- 329 runs vs. Bangladesh, Chittagong, 2003
- 323 runs vs. New Zealand, Wellington, 2024
This victory marks England’s first away series win in two years since their 3-0 whitewash of Pakistan in 2022 and their first Test win in New Zealand since 2008. The third and final Test will begin on Saturday, December 14, in Hamilton.
