New Zealand contested England in a nail-biting thriller at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand beat England by 1 run in the second test as the English side failed to chase down the target of 258 runs set by the Kiwi side in the fourth innings of the Wellington test.
New Zealand beats England by 1 run to draw the two-match test series
The second test between England and New Zealand was full of dramatic moments that kept the cricket fans on the edge of their seats specifically on the fifth and final day. At times it looked like the English side will chase down the target of 258 runs set by New Zealand but they failed to do so by the barest of margins.
It was the partnership between former skipper Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell that allowed the Kiwi side to post a mammoth total of 483 in the second innings. Williamson played a scintillating knock of 132 runs while he got enough support from Blundell who scored 90 runs.
Despite conceding a huge lead of 226 runs in the first innings, New Zealand pulled the game in their favor after a heroic performance by their batters after which the contest was between Kiwi bowlers and English batters who are in some supreme touch for the past one year.
WHAT A GAME OF CRICKET
— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) February 28, 2023
New Zealand have won it by the barest of margins…
This is test cricket at its finest ❤️
#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/cFgtFBIkR4
England skipper Ben Stokes along with former skipper Joe Root formed a formidable partnership of 121 runs on Day 5 while chasing a target of 258 runs. However, things changed pretty quickly as both Root and Stokes got out within a run of each other with 56 runs still needed allowing New Zealand a much-needed comeback.
Experienced pacer James Anderson walked in to bat at number 11 and smashed a down-the-ground boundary to bring things really close as England needed just a couple more to clinch the test match and the series as well. Neil Wagner, on the other hand, had different plans as he bowled a short body-line delivery to Anderson who nicked it and was caught down the leg side by wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.
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Neil Wagner’s crucial four-wicket haul allowed the New Zealand team to grab victory by the barest of margins as New Zealand beat England by 1 run allowing the host to draw the series by 1-1. Kane Williamson was awarded the player of the match award for his heroic knock of 132 runs.