New Zealand defeated England in chaotic second Test by one run

• New Zealand defeated England in a chaotic second Test by one run.
• Hosts made some history by being just the fourth team to triumph.
• New Zealand had taken the lead once again.

WELLINGTON: The series was drawn in the most dramatic way possible in Wellington as New Zealand narrowly defeated England by one run in the second Test.

In 146 years of Test cricket, the hosts made some history by being just the fourth team to triumph despite being asked to follow on.

As New Zealand wicketkeeper Tom Blundell made a diving catch at the Basin Reserve, Neil Wagner got the crucial wicket of James Anderson to complete a thrilling victory.

A thrilling two-Test series ended 1-1 after the host team rallied to set an aggressive England a target of 258 runs to win. Nevertheless, the visitors were all out for 256 runs.

It matched the West Indies team, which defeated Australia by the same razor-thin margin at Adelaide in 1993, as the only other time in Test cricket that a side won by one run.

Left-arm speed bowler Wagner, who finished with 4-62 including the crucial dismissals of Ben Stokes and Joe Root, remarked, “Fantastic achievement, hats off to everyone, everyone kept battling.”

The attacking “Bazball” cricket under head coach Brendon McCullum failed, and England captain Ben Stokes was upset to have lost but pleased to have contributed to the drama.

Stokes, a New Zealander by birth, said, “That game is what Test cricket is about — the emotions we were going through and the Kiwi boys as well.”

“Today, everyone received value for their money.

“What a contest. I went to observe what was happening after I exited, and it was incredibly up and down “Stokes added. It was insane,

It was the first victory for New Zealand following a forced follow-on. While India defeated Australia in 2001, England had accomplished it twice against Australia, in 1894 and 1981.

During the final two days of a wild Test match, New Zealand had taken the lead once again.

When New Zealand ended England’s streak of six straight victories, Southee praised England for their “fantastic” work in the Test cricket world over the past year or so.

“I don’t know why we always seem to have such close calls, but these games bring out the best in both teams,” said the player.

“We just never gave up; it was a matter of persevering and having faith that we would succeed.”

After declaring their first innings on 435-8 and bowling out New Zealand for 209, England, which had already won the first Test by an impressive 267 runs, was on track to win the second.

But, with a brilliant 132 in their second innings 483, former captain Kane Williamson brought New Zealand back into the match, giving England 258 to win.

After starting the day at 48-1, England stumbled and lost four wickets for just 27 runs in the morning until Root steadied the ship by leading his team to 168-5 at lunch.

The pressure increased as the final pair, Anderson and Jack Leach, still needed seven runs to win.

Before Wagner and Blundell combined to provide the finishing blow, Anderson hit a four to close the gap to two runs.

With a 3-0 victory against Pakistan, Stokes, who will now concentrate on the Ashes and Australia this summer, said it had still been a successful winter.

“It’s disappointing to end on a loss, but we will take great pride in four (wins) out of five away from home,” he said.

“Take a break for a few months, then return back to what we love.”

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