DESPITE Tom Blundell’s valiant hundred (115 off 102), the England bowlers were all over the home side on Day Three to grab their first series win in New Zealand since 2007/08.
New Zealand got off to a poor start in the chase, as Brydon Carse and Chris Woakes ripped through their top-order, leaving Devon Conway, Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra walking back to the dugout for single-digit scores.

Blundell, joined by Nathan Smith, forged a 96-run partnership for the seventh wicket, but England’s bowling arsenal proved to be too strong, bowling out the Kiwis for 259.
England skipper Ben Stokes led the way with a brilliant 3-5, accompanied by a brace each from Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir that saw them clinch victory and go 2-0 up in the series.

England resumed Day Three on 378/5, and picked up right where they left off. Joe Root made his way to his 36th Test century, before being dismissed on 106 that also saw the end of England’s innings, as Stokes declared and set a mammoth 583-run target for the home side to get back on level terms.

The England captain stepped in with a blazing cameo as well, which saw him remain unbeaten on 49. Earlier in the innings, Jacob Bethell (96), Ben Duckett (92) and Harry Brook (55) contributed stylish half-centuries to take England to 427/6.
Stokes was full of praise for Harry Brook, Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell at the post-match presser, as the batters made an indelible mark on the game after England found themselves struggling at 40/4 on Day One, before Brook smashed a game-changing 123.

“Amazing to be standing here winning the series after being 40 for 4 on Day One. The way Harry Brook and Olllie Pope played on Day One set up this game for us. Jacob Bethell has certainly shown us what he’s about, and shown the world what he’s about,” said Stokes.
Both teams are effectively out of the race to make it to the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, but England’s win meant that they moved to fifth on the table, while New Zealand dropped a place to sixth.
The final Test will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton, from Saturday, December 14. (ICC Media)