New Zealand vs England: Hosts New Zealand secure historic one-run win after being forced to follow-on

Incredible scenes at the Basin Reserve. A thrilling end to the 2nd Test in Wellington ???? #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/tyG7laNtdP

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2023

On being asked to bat first, England scored 435/8 after declaring the innings. Former captain Joe Root and Harry Brook scored 153 and 186 runs respectively.

In reply the Kiwis were bundled out for 209 after five of their batters got out for single digit scores. Having a 226-run first innings lead and the opportunity to enforce a follow-on, England captain Ben Stokes opted for it and asked the hosts to repeat their batting drill.

New Zealand vs England: New Zealand fightback ft. Williamson

Contrary to the beliefs of England, New Zealand applied themselves this time around and played with a lot of guts and determination to finish their second innings on 483. Openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway forged a 149-run partnership, scoring 83 and 61 runs respectively. Captain Kane Williamson also rose to the occasion and scored 132 off 282 balls. Daryl Mitchell chipped in with 54 runs while Tom Blundell fell 10 runs short of a stunning hundred. Despite a Jack Leach five-wicket haul, New Zealand successfully managed to set a 258-run target for the visitors.

NZ vs ENG: Wagner and company help New Zealand pull off unlikely win

England ended the Day 4 with 48 runs for the loss of one wicket and looked well set for a 2-0 win in the series, however, New Zealand turned the tide in their favour soon on Day 5. The pace trio of Tim Southee (3/45), Matt Henry (2/75) and Neil Wagner (4/62) ripped through the English top-order and middle-order as Root became a mere spectator from the other end.

England were reduced to 80 for 5 before a fighting 121-run partnership between Root (95) and Stokes (33)brewed. However, once Wagner got rid of the latter, the England innings collapsed once again. Wagner got Root in his next over as England were now left reeling at 202/7. Another 36-run partnership between Ben Foakes (35) and Leach took England closer to the target before Wagner struck again to get rid of the wicketkeeper-batter. Eight runs were required with the last batting pair of Leach and James Anderson in the middle. A boundary from Anderson took them to a touching distance away to the target. A single for a draw and a double for a win – that was all England needed but as they say fortune favours the brave and Wagner managed to generate an edge of Anderson’s bat and wicket-keeper Blundell took a sharp catch down the leg to complete New Zealand’s epic comeback win. The 2-match Test series ended in a 1-1 draw.

Kane Williamson was adjudged Man of the Match. Harry Brook was handed the Player of the Series award.