Wellington, Dec 8: England conquered the Wellington gale Sunday to seal a 323 run win over New Zealand on the third day of the second Test and to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Joe Root completed his 36th century as England batted for less than 30 minutes in the morning before declaring with a lead of 582 runs and New Zealand crumbled under the weight of the deficit and was all out for 259 in its second innings.
England’s win followed its comprehensive eight wicket win in the first Test at Christchurch, capping its first series victory in New Zealand since 2008 ahead of the final Test in Hamilton which begins on Saturday.
The third day differed from the first two in Wellington which were warm and sunny. It was cool, gloomy and windy but otherwise England’s thorough command of the series continued.
Root resumed on 73 with England already 533 ahead. He sped to his century from 127 balls with 10 boundaries and then was out for 106 at which point Ben Stokes declared England’s second innings at 427-6.
Stokes left himself high and dry at 49 not out, just short of his 49th half century.
Chris Woakes had the job at first of bowling into the Wellington wind and he was rewarded with the wickets of Devon Conway (0) and Kane Williamson (4) as New Zealand slumped to 59-4 by lunch.
Brydon Carse removed captain Tom Latham (24) and Rachin Ravindra (6) before the break to lift his tally of wickets for the series to 16 at an average of 12.8.
New Zealand showed more resistance in the afternoon and evening as wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, under pressure to hold his place, compiled his fifth Test century from 96 balls.
Blundell put on 94-run partnership with Nathan Smith which saw England having to chase leather for the first extended period in the series. He was out for 115 which included 13 fours and five sixes and Smith followed for a career-bet 42 just before the end. (AP)
