Black Caps edge England in thrilling finale
NEW Zealand beat England by just one run in a second-Test thriller on Tuesday to draw the series despite having been forced to follow on in Wellington.
New Zealand set England a target of 258 runs to win, but the visitors were all out for 256 in dramatic scenes as the twoTest series finished 1-1.
Neil Wagner took the decisive wicket of James Anderson as New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell pulled off a diving catch to make history.
“Amazing achievement, hats off to everyone, everyone kept fighting,” said Wagner, who finished with 4-62.
It was only the fourth occasion a team has won a Test after being asked to follow on, and the first time for New Zealand.
A topsy-turvy Test swung back to New Zealand during the final two gripping days. England were on course for victory after declaring their first innings on 435-8, then bowling out New Zealand for 209.
Former skipper Kane Williamson dragged New Zealand back into the Test with a superb 132 in their second innings 483 on Monday, leaving England 258 to win. Having resumed at 48-1, England wobbled by losing four wickets for just 27 runs before Joe Root steadied the ship by steering his team to 168-5 at lunch.
Root’s partnership with Ben Stokes ended on 121 when England’s captain was caught at square leg. The pressure intensified after Root went for 95 with England 57 runs short.
Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes kept England in the fight with a cavalier 35. After Foakes was caught by Wagner in the deep off Southee, it left James Anderson and Jack Leach needing seven runs for victory.
Anderson clubbed a four to get within two before Wagner and Blundell combined to land the knockout punch.