New Zealand has clinched one of many nice Check match victories, defeating England in Wellington by 1 run and turning into solely the fourth staff to win after following-on.
The victory tied the two-match sequence at 1-1, however the larger query for England is the health of skipper Ben Stokes lower than 4 months out from the Ashes sequence in opposition to Australia on dwelling soil.
England batted first after dropping the toss and declared at 8-435, earlier than bowling the Black Caps out for 209. They enforced the follow-on, however New Zealand hit again to make 483, setting a goal of 258.
England started day 5 at 1-48, needing 210 to clinch the sequence. They acquired as shut as potential earlier than James Anderson edged to the keeper to dismiss the vacationers for 256 on tea.
Nevertheless, a dramatic first session noticed England lose 4 wickets for 27 runs in slightly below eight overs.
This included a nightmare name for a fast single by former skipper Joe Root, which left star batsman Harry Brook run out for a diamond duck with out going through a ball.
However Root and Stokes then gathered themselves for an enormous partnership.
Stokes is a match-winning all-rounder, however he has pulled again on his bowling attributable to an ongoing difficulty together with his knee.
In Wellington, Stokes introduced himself on on day three in an try and make a breakthrough as New Zealand fought again after the follow-on.
Nevertheless, his spell lasted simply two overs, and he was later seen limping within the area. Coming in at 5-80, with the vacationers needing one other 178 for victory, Stokes dug in whereas enjoying a number of pictures.
It shortly turned obvious that Stokes was in critical discomfort together with his knee. He reverted to a way of standing and making an attempt to hit fours. On the different finish, Root would solely take a single when Stokes might amble by means of.
The pair started to treatment the scenario, with England at 5-168 at lunch, needing 90 extra for victory.
Lastly, a struggling Stokes tried to heave Neil Wagner to mid-wicket and skied it to Latham to be out for 33 off 116 balls.
This gave the house facet a sniff of victory, and the Black Caps have been proper in it after Wagner struck once more 9 balls later, with Root out 5 runs wanting a second century for the match after mistiming a shot on the leg facet and providing a catch to Michael Bracewell.
Ben Foakes and Stuart Broad then took the goal beneath 50, however there have been extra nervous occasions forward.
Broad (11) performed an aggressive innings however fell to paceman Matt Henry, caught on the boundary at third man after making an attempt to ramp him.
Foakes was joined by tail-ender Jack Leach. Foakes turned down a string of singles as he tried to farm the strike, however he practically paid for his method when his shot to deep mid-wicket fell simply past an out-of-position Bracewell for 4.
The group, dominated by English followers, was cheering each run because the goal acquired nearer.
Skipper Tim Southee introduced himself again into the assault with 5 minutes left earlier than the tea break, and England needing simply 14. He began with a large, then Foakes reduce him away for 2 after which a single earlier than Leach dug out a ultimate supply.
It was 10 to win, with tea delayed — and it was left to Wagner to attempt to make the very important breakthrough.
Leach survived a evaluate after avoiding giving an edge by means of to the keeper.
Southee returned, and a two to Foakes introduced England’s goal right down to seven. However lastly, the English wicketkeeper-batsman went for one 4 too many, holing out to Wagner within the deep for 35.
It was right down to Leach and veteran James Anderson to get the runs.
Leach survived skying the ball between the fielders for a single, and Anderson dead-batted a rearing supply from Wagner.
The 40-year-old quantity 11 then introduced the gang to its toes by hammering the ball to the boundary on the leg facet.
Southee got here again, and a Leach drive was stopped on the off by a diving Matt Henry. England wanted two, and so they practically had one when a large ball was not referred to as by the umpire.
Lastly, Anderson was strangled down the leg facet, and keeper Tom Blundell flung himself to his proper to take a diving seize, giving Wagner his fourth wicket and setting off wild celebrations by the Black Caps.
