Wellington: England stormed to a commanding Test series victory against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, clinching their first series triumph in the country since 2007-08 on Sunday.
Despite a valiant century by Tom Blundell, New Zealand were outclassed, losing inside three days by a decisive margin.
New Zealand faced the near-impossible tasks of either chasing 583 runs or surviving nine sessions for a draw. Their hopes dimmed early as England’s bowlers sliced through the top order, leaving them reeling at 59 for 4 by lunch.
While Blundell's counterattack added respectability to the innings, his 96-ball 100 was not enough to turn the tide. The next highest score was Nathan Smith's 42, underscoring the lack of support for Blundell.
England, with a formidable lead, batted briefly on the third morning, allowing Joe Root to reach his 36th Test century. Root’s milestone came in unorthodox style, tumbling during a reverse-ramp shot that sent the ball to the boundary. He was dismissed soon after, prompting Ben Stokes to declare with an unbeaten 49. England’s bowlers then swiftly went to work.
Chris Woakes struck in his first over, removing Devon Conway with a precise nip-backer that clipped the top of off-stump. Woakes also dismissed Kane Williamson, who edged a rising delivery to Ollie Pope. Brydon Carse followed with two crucial scalps, including Tom Latham, who fell to a brilliant return catch.
Rain briefly interrupted play, but Blundell resumed with determination, anchoring a spirited 96-run partnership with Smith. His innings, studded with 13 fours and five sixes, brought flashes of Nathan Astle’s legendary 2002 assault, though it ended prematurely when he attempted an ambitious scoop and was caught brilliantly by Ben Duckett.
Stokes, operating with short-pitched aggression, claimed three wickets to finish the match. Matt Henry, Smith, and Tim Southee—playing his final Test at the Basin Reserve—succumbed to Stokes’ relentless bowling.
England’s victory, achieved with nearly three days to spare, underscored their dominance. New Zealand’s pursuit of 583 fell far short, as no team has ever successfully chased more than 418 in the fourth innings of a Test.
This historic win reinforces England’s resurgence under Stokes’ leadership, with their tactical brilliance and relentless execution leaving the hosts floundering in Wellington’s blustery conditions.
