New Zealand vs England Match Highlights & Results

Right then, it turned out to be a resounding, series-sealing victory for Ben Stokes and his men. A lot for Tom Latham and Co. to reflect on before the third Test. The caravan now moves north to Hamilton for the third and final Test of the series. It promises to be a memorable occasion for Tim Southee, who will play his farewell Test in his hometown. New Zealand will be eager to give their veteran pacer a fitting send-off with a victory. The third Test begins on Saturday, 14th December, at Seddon Park, with the first ball scheduled for 10 pm GMT. As always, you can join us early for the build-up to what promises to be an emotional and action-packed finale. Until then, take care and goodbye!

Ben Stokes, the captain of England says that it is amazing to stand here and win the series. Adds that he thinks that Harry Brook and Ollie Pope were amazing in this match, especially on day one where they batted with bravery and showed their skills. Says that it was an unbelievable inning from Brook and that set up the game for them. Tells that the instructions were to just play with freedom. Talks about Bethell that he played really well at number three. Adds that he wants to give opportunities to new guys and Bethell has the talent to stay here. Tells that there was always going to be pressure on New Zealand to chase down the target. Feels that their bowling was exceptional in these conditions where they bowled against the wind. Concludes that Chris Woakes has been exceptional in this match too and he has a lot of experience.

The captain of New Zealand, Tom Latham says that it is disappointing to lose in this fashion. Mentions that Harry Brook took the game away from them and he praises him for the way he played. States that the English team kept them under pressure throughout the game and didn't take the foot off the pedal. Says that the guys tried really hard and he is not doubting their efforts. Further adds that they came up with hopes of putting up a fight and they are obviously not happy with the performance. Concludes by saying that they will turn up at Hamilton and with it being the last Test for Tim Southee, they will look to make it a memorable occasion for him.

Harry Brook is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for scoring 123 in the first innings and he followed it up with a fifty in the second innings. He says that he is happy to rescue the side after they were in early trouble at 43/4. Adds that the ball was swinging in the first innings and feels that the best form of defence is attack and he is happy to have done that. Mentions that it was an exceptional win and to win in three days, made it more special. Concludes that it is always amazing to win the series, and it is a record in itself for winning the series in NZ.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Mitchell fell, but Blundell, who was dropped on 0 by Bethell, continued on his merry way as he marched to his 5th Test century. Nathan Smith batted with similar intent, and although their efforts did little to alter the result, both batters would have gained plenty of confidence from their knocks. England's bowlers, however, remained relentless. Ben Stokes brought himself into the attack and wrapped things up in style, claiming three wickets in as many overs to seal a dominant victory by 323 runs.

With a mammoth lead at the start of Day 3, many wondered if England would declare overnight, but that wasn’t the case. They continued their batting indulgence, and the declaration came soon after Joe Root departed immediately after his 36th Test century as the tourists ended with a lead of 582 runs. New Zealand were put out of their misery in the field as the declaration finally came, but their woes with the bat continued. Their top four were blown away in the morning session by the English pace trio of Woakes, Carse, and Atkinson. However, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell stood firm and offered some much-needed resistance.

New Zealand’s response was lacklustre, with the English pacers dominating proceedings. Brydon Carse's incisive bowling brought him four wickets, but the moment of the innings belonged to Gus Atkinson, who delivered a stunning hat-trick to decimate the Kiwi tail. The hosts folded for just 125, conceding a hefty 155-run lead. After wrapping up the Kiwi innings within the first hour on Day 2, the visitors piled on the runs in their second innings. Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell both fell agonizingly short of centuries, but their contributions, along with vital knocks from Harry Brook and Joe Root, helped the tourists extend their lead to 533 by the end of the day.

A three-day finish, and it felt as though the Test was in fast-forward mode throughout. So, let’s press the rewind button and take you back to where it all began - the opening day. It all began with New Zealand opting to bowl first, a decision that paid them early dividends as England were reduced to 43/4 in the opening session. However, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope staged a brilliant counterattack, stitching together a 174-run partnership. Brook notched up his second century of the series, but England's hopes of a massive total were dashed as they lost 6 wickets for just 63 runs to be bowled out for 280.

England complete a thumping win to seal the series! This victory marks their first Test series triumph in New Zealand since 2008. As for New Zealand, this result will sting. Coming into the series riding high after a 3-0 sweep in India, they have failed to turn up for the second Test in a row on home soil. Their batting woes have been glaring, with no partnerships reaching the three-figure mark so far in the series. The 96-run stand between Blundell and Smith in the second innings of this Test stands as their highest - a telling statistic of their struggles.

Ben Stokes to Tim Southee, OUT! c Chris Woakes b Ben Stokes.OUT! CAUGHT! And that is that for New Zealand! Dug in short and angled towards the body. Tim Southee makes room and tries to hook it away but it gets skied towards deep mid-wicket where Chris Woakes is well in off the ropes. Takes a few steps backwards and completes the catch over his head. Stokes finishes with 3 wickets. England win by 323 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Ben Stokes to William O'Rourke, 1 run.Dug in short and angled towards the batter. William O'Rourke stands tall and swings at it and it goes past short mid-wicket for a single.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Banged in short, over off, Tim Southee hangs back and stabs it down the deck.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, Four!FOUR! Shoaib Bashir gives flight to the ball, around off, Tim Southee shimmies down the track and thumps it to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Flatter and quicker on middle. Tim Southee looks to heave it towards the leg side but gets the inside edge onto the pads.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Tossed up, on off, Tim Southee lunges to defend.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Short again, outside off, Tim Southee again tries to go for a lofted shot over cover but misses.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Drops it short, on off, turns in sharply, Tim Southee goes for a heave over mid-wicket but misses it and gets hit on the thigh.

Ben Stokes to William O'Rourke, No run.Oh, my! How has that missed the stumps? Angling in, on a good length, on off, William O'Rourke stays leg side of the ball and plays down the wrong line. Gets beaten on the outside edge and the ball goes over the stumps.

Ben Stokes to William O'Rourke, No run.Another bumper, at the right shoulder of the batter, William O'Rourke sways away and lets it go.

Ben Stokes to William O'Rourke, No run.Banged in short, over middle and leg, William O'Rourke ducks and lets it go.

William O'Rourke is the last man in.

Ben Stokes to Nathan Smith, OUT! c Ollie Pope b Ben Stokes.OUT! CAUGHT! Nathan Smith has been strangled down leg. End of Smith's vigil. Second wicket in as many overs for Stokes. Pitched in short, from wide of the crease, angled in towards the batter. Nathan Smith is cramped up for room as he swivels and looks to pull it away. The ball brushes the gloves and the keeper Ollie Pope dives to his left to take a safe and low catch.

Ben Stokes to Tim Southee, 1 run.Back of a length, from over the wicket, at chest height, Tim Southee pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Ben Stokes to Tim Southee, 2 runs.Goes short again to Tim Southee. He does not back away and tries to pull it. The ball takes the top edge and goes straight up but falls wide of Rehan Ahmed at deep third for a brace.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Floated up and outside off, goes straight on. Nathan Smith leans on and drives it towards cover for no run.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, 2 runs.Fullish, outside off, Nathan Smith goes for a drive to cover but only manages to get a thick outside edge to the left of point for a couple of runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, 1 run.Drops it short, outside off, Tim Southee pulls it from the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

Shoaib Bashir to Tim Southee, No run.Flighted up, around middle, Tim Southee fends it from the back foot.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, 1 run.On a nagging length, outside off, Nathan Smith drives it wide of mid off for a single.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Starts from over the wicket, full and around middle, Nathan Smith moves across and goes on a knee for a scoop over the keeper but misses. The ball goes over the stumps and the keeper Ollie Pope fails to gather it cleanly. Oh, hang on, the UltraEdge show that it brushed the glove on the way through, so, that will go down as a chance.

Ben Stokes to Tim Southee, No run.Stokes sees Southee backing away and he follows him, on a back of a length, Southee looks to work it away on the leg side. Gets an inside edge onto the thigh pad.

Ben Stokes to Tim Southee, No run.Goes short straight away to Tim Southee, on middle. It climbs onto the batter but Southee does well to fend it down towards short leg.

Tim Southee walks out to bat.

Ben Stokes to Matt Henry, OUT! c Jacob Bethell b Ben Stokes.OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The captain comes on and only takes a few balls to make an impact. A well-judged catch from Jacob Bethell. Bowled on a back of a length and on the middle stump. Matt Henry backs away and goes for the pull. It gets skied towards deep square leg where Jacob Bethell does extremely well to settle underneath it as the ball is swirling in the air. Bethell has to put the dive at the end to his left to complete the catch. England are 2 wickets away from wrapping this up.

Ben Stokes to Matt Henry, No run.Banged in short and angled towards the batter. Matt Henry goes for the pull but misses.

Ben Stokes to Matt Henry, No run.Pitched in short, angling in towards the batter. Matt Henry goes for a swipe across the line  but misses by a long margin.

Ben Stokes to Nathan Smith, 1 run.Ben Stokes brings himself on. Starts off on a back off a length and outside off, angling in. Nathan Smith pulls it towards square leg for a single.

Brydon Carse to Matt Henry, No run.Ends with a yorker on the off stump, Matt Henry digs it out back to the bowler.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 1 run.Good length, outside off, Nathan Smith fends it to cover from the back foot.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Angling in, on middle and leg, on a back of a length, nudged to mid-wicket by Nathan.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Play and a miss! On a back of a length, on off, Nathan Smith throws his hands at the delivery and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 4 runs.A comedy of errors! Short of a length, around the shoulder, Nathan Smith gets late in trying to keep it down and gets hit on his glove. The ball goes behind the stumps and the batters scamper across. Ollie Pope collects it and aims to throw it to the striker's end but misses it. There is no one to back the throw up. Shoaib Bashir gives it a chase towards the long off region and cuts it off. The batters run four.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Starts from over the wicket, on hard length, around middle, Nathan Smith keeps it to square leg.

Shoaib Bashir to Matt Henry, No run.Floated up and on the stumps, turns in. Matt Henry defends it towards silly mid on.

Shoaib Bashir to Matt Henry, Four!FOUR! Streaky but Matt Henry will take it. Fractionally short outside off, goes straight on. Matt Henry slashes hard. The ball takes a thick outside edge and flies past the slip fielder and races towards the deep third fence for a boundary.

Shoaib Bashir to Matt Henry, No run.Short and outside off, goes straight on. Matt Henry cuts it towards point.

Matt Henry is the new man in.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, OUT! c Ben Duckett b Shoaib Bashir.OUT! CAUGHT! Excellent anticipation from Ben Duckett! It had to take something special to get rid of Blundell. Tossed up on off and middle, Blundell gets inside the line and attempts a lap shot. The ball comes off the face of the bat and lobs behind. Ollie Pope, anticipating the shot, moves swiftly to his left but only manages to get a slight touch with his gloves, slowing the ball down. Ben Duckett, stationed at first slip, has already started moving to his left upon seeing Blundell's setup for the paddle. He stretches out, palms the ball up on his first attempt, and remains sharp enough to grab it on the second. Blundell departs for a well-made 115 (102). He walks off to a standing ovation and he deserves every bit of it.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, No run.Shorter and quicker, on off, Tom Blundell rocks back and punches it to cover.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, Six!SIX! Blundell gives the charge and clears the fence again! On a nagging length, around off, Tom Blundell shimmies down the track and does not get to the pitch of the ball but still goes through with the shot. Smokes it over wide long on for a six.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.From over the wicket now, on a hard length, on middle and leg, Nathan Smith hops and dabs it down on the leg side.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Banged in short, at the batter, Nathan Smith ducks and lets it go.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.On the pads, on a back of a length, Smith misses the tickle and gets hit on the thigh pad.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.From around the wicket, not that short, angling across, Nathan Smith goes for the pull but the ball sneaks under the bat.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, 1 run.Slanting into the pads, on a length, Tom Blundell clips it in front of square on the leg side and crosses over.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, Four!FOUR! This has raced away! Carse digs it in short, on middle and leg, Tom Blundell gets on top of the bounce and swivels to pull it to the left of deep fine leg for a boundary.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Keeps it short, on off, Nathan Smith stabs it down on the off side.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Short and on off, Nathan Smith hangs back and defends it out.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, Six!SIX! Just over! Low full toss, on middle, Nathan Smith gets down the track and lofts it over the leaping long on fielder for a six.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, 3 runs.Too straight, short and flat, on the pads, Tom Blundell glances it down towards the vacant deep fine leg region for three runs.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, 2 runs.HUNDRED FOR BLUNDELL! Tom would have had his heart in his mouth for a moment there as the ball sneaked past the stumps but he can afford a smile now. 5th Test hundred for Blundell and this will do his confidence the world of good heading into the third Test. This is short and on off, Tom Blundell tries to glide it down past first slip. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and goes past the keeper for a couple of runs. Dropped when he was on 0 by Jacob Bethell, Blundell has made the most of that reprieve.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, No run.Looped up, full and around off, Tom Blundell gets his bat out in front to block it out.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, 1 run.Blundell moves to 99! Angling in at the right-hander, on a short of a length, Tom Blundell glances it down to deep fine leg and keeps the strike with a single.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, Four!FOUR! Easy pickings! Too straight from Carse, on a shortish length, Tom Blundell helps it fine, beating deep fine leg to his right for a boundary. Moves to 98.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 1 run.On middle and leg, on a hard length, Nathan Smith hops and clips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Dug in short, Nathan Smith tries to drag the pull from outside off but the ball goes under the bat.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, 1 run.On a back of a length, on off, Tom Blundell pulls a bit uppishly but it goes on the bounce to the man at square leg. Beats Stokes to his left and picks up a single.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, No run.Banged into the deck, around the left shoulder of the batter, Tom Blundell thinks about taking the short ball on but then decides to withdraw his bat and sways away.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Tossed up, full and on off, Nathan Smith lunges to defend.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, 1 run.Drops it short and on middle, Tom Blundell turns it past short leg and crosses over.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, 1 run.Fuller in length, on middle, knocked down to long on for a single by Smith.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, Bye.Bye! Fires it down leg, on a length, Tom Blundell lets it go. The keeper Ollie Pope gets a glove on it as he dives to his left. The batters run a bye.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, Six!SIX! Excellent use of the feet! Floated up, full and on off, Tom Blundell skips down the track and swings cleanly. Launches it flat and over the long on fence for a biggie. Moves to 92.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, No run.A bit of extra bounce, short and on off, Tom Blundell goes on the back foot and nudges it to mid-wicket.

Welcome back for what could well be the final session of the Test. Ben Stokes leads his troops out to the centre. England are starting with spin in the form of Shoaib Bashir. Bashir to Blundell first up. Here we go!

.. DAY 3, SESSION 3 ...

However, as we've often seen, a break in play can bring a wicket, and it did just that as Mitchell was dismissed immediately after the drinks break. Glenn Phillips then took on Shoaib Bashir, but it was the off-spinner who eventually emerged victorious in their battle. Blundell, however, continued to play his shots with authority, and Nathan Smith joined him in and soon followed suit in putting the bad balls away. From a Kiwi perspective, it’s about salvaging positives and a century here for Blundell would do wonders for his confidence. Can England claim the remaining 4 wickets in the third session, or will New Zealand show defiance and take the Test to the 4th day? Stay tuned to find out!

SESSION SUMMARY - 29.5 overs, 140 runs and 2 wickets. An entertaining session overall, where England managed to take two crucial wickets to inch closer to wrapping up the game. However, New Zealand displayed positive intent with the bat, maintaining a run rate of 4.69. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell batted with a calm composure through the early part of the second session, gradually growing in confidence as the innings progressed. With not much happening off the pitch, the pair negotiated the first part of the session without much trouble.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.In the channel on off, on a good length, Nathan Smith leaves it alone. THAT WILL BE TEA ON DAY 3!

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Goes short again, directed towards the body. Nathan Smith ducks underneath it comfortably and lets it go through.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, 1 run.Back of a length again, outside off, nips in. Tom Blundell makes room and guides it towards deep third where Ben Duckett puts in a dive at gully to his left but the ball gets past him. The batters come through for a single.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, No run.Back of a length, outside off. Tom Blundell fends it towards cover.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, Four!FOUR! That was all class from Tom Blundell. Pitched in short again, on off, Tom Blundell judges length immediately, pulls it in front of square and picks up another boundary.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, No run.Goes short angled towards the batter. Tom Blundell goes back and pulls it towards square leg.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Drags his length, around middle, Nathan Smith tucks it to mid-wicket from the front foot.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Fired in, fuller and on off, Nathan Smith defends it out on the off side.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Fuller, outside off, Nathan Smith doesn't offer any shot as the ball goes to the keeper.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Tossed up, on the sixth stump, Nathan Smith tries to defend it but gets the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Drops it short, just outside off, Nathan Smith again blocks it from the back foot.

Shoaib Bashir to Nathan Smith, No run.Starts from over the stumps, tossed up, outside off, Nathan Smith comes in line of the ball and fends it from the back foot.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 1 run.At the hips, on a back of a length, glanced down to deep fine leg for a single by Smith.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Banged in short, over off, Nathan Smith sways away and lets it go.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No ball!Full and outside off, driven down the deck. Brydon Carse collects the ball in his follow-through and throws it immediately at the non-striker's end. He hits the stumps but Blundell was in. NO BALL called for overstepping.

Brydon Carse to Tom Blundell, 1 run.Goes short again and angled towards the batter, climbing onto the batter. Tom Blundell looks to sway away from the line of the ball but the ball follows him. The ball flies off the face of his bat, flies over the keeper and goes towards the man at a fine deep third for a single.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 1 run.Back of a length, outside off. Nathan Smith goes on the back foot and punches it towards backward point for a single.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, 2 runs.On length and outside off, jags in. Nathan Smith opens up and flat bats it off the toe end off the bat as it goes up in the air and falls in the cow corner region as the batters come through for a brace.

Brydon Carse to Nathan Smith, No run.Starts with a bouncer, around middle. Nathan Smith ducks underneath it and lets it go through.

Time for a quick burst from Brydon Carse (6-0-25-2) before the Tea break.

Shoaib Bashir to Tom Blundell, No run.Full and outside off, turning into the batter. Tom Blundell lunges forward and defends it off the inside half of the bat towards short mid-wicket.