December 7, 2024

England Thrash New Zealand to Win Series Despite Blundell’s Fightback

England ended their 15-year wait for a Test series victory in New Zealand with a commanding performance at the Basin Reserve, sealing the win inside three days. Battling strong winds from the Cook Strait, England dominated throughout, brushing aside a spirited century from Tom Blundell to clinch the series. The hosts faced an almost impossible task: chasing 583 or surviving nearly nine sessions for a draw. Early blows from England’s bowlers left New Zealand reeling, with four wickets falling inside the first 14 overs.

Tom Blundell’s counterattacking hundred brought some respectability to New Zealand’s innings, as his teammates struggled against a relentless England attack. Nathan Smith’s 42 at No. 8 was the only other notable contribution, highlighting the gulf between Blundell and the rest of the lineup. England’s bowlers maintained their discipline, ensuring that Blundell’s efforts didn’t threaten their dominance. By the time New Zealand’s innings ended, the result was a foregone conclusion.

Earlier, England had added quick runs to their already substantial lead, allowing Joe Root to notch his 36th Test century. Once satisfied, they declared and turned their attention to dismantling New Zealand for a second time. Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse struck early blows, setting the tone, while Ben Stokes finished the job with three short-ball dismissals against the tailenders. The emphatic win marked a historic milestone for England, showcasing their clinical all-around performance.

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Blundell’s Century Sparks Resistance, But England Secure Historic Series Win

Tom Blundell’s brilliant knock provided a glimmer of hope for New Zealand in a losing cause, smashing 13 fours and five sixes in an innings that briefly revived memories of Nathan Astle’s famous 2002 assault in Christchurch. His resistance ended when Shoaib Bashir claimed his wicket, though much credit went to Ben Duckett, whose sharp anticipation at slip turned a potential escape into a spectacular catch. Duckett intercepted Blundell’s attempted scoop with a sprint around the leg side, securing the dismissal on the second attempt after initially palming the ball.

New Zealand had already been reduced to 59 for 4 before lunch, and Blundell could have been dismissed shortly after the break, but Jacob Bethell spilled a thick edge at third slip off Brydon Carse. Blundell capitalized on the reprieve, building a steadfast stand with Daryl Mitchell before unleashing an aggressive counterattack alongside Nathan Smith. The pair added 96 runs in just 82 balls, with Blundell showcasing flair and determination to reach his fifth Test hundred off 96 balls shortly after tea.

Despite Blundell’s heroics, the outcome was never in doubt. His century was a personal triumph, breaking a 22-month drought during which he had struggled with an average of 13.52 across 14 Tests. However, England’s bowlers, led by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, kept the hosts under constant pressure. While Blundell and Smith added a spark to the innings, England’s dominance throughout ensured their historic series victory in New Zealand.

England Seal Historic Series Win as New Zealand Collapse in Pursuit of 583

Tom Blundell’s dismissal, orchestrated by Shoaib Bashir and an extraordinary effort from Ben Duckett earlier, signaled the beginning of the end for New Zealand. Bashir followed up with Glenn Phillips’ wicket before Matt Henry succumbed, lofting Ben Stokes’ fourth ball into Jacob Bethell’s grasp at deep midwicket. Nathan Smith gloved a pull behind, and Tim Southee, in what could be his final Basin Reserve appearance, fell attempting a leg-side slog. England, with the result inevitable, simply waited for victory to materialize.

England had started the day on the front foot, with Joe Root securing his 36th Test century in the morning. His milestone innings ended in dramatic fashion when an attempted reverse-ramp sent him tumbling to the ground, but a fortuitous deflection off his glove sent the ball for four, eliciting an impish grin from the former captain. Shortly afterward, Stokes declared with an unbeaten 49, setting New Zealand an insurmountable target of 583. By lunch, England had already removed New Zealand’s top four, solidifying their dominance.

The scale of New Zealand’s task was monumental, with no team ever chasing more than 418 in the fourth innings of a Test. Chris Woakes struck early, bowling Devon Conway with a wobble-seam delivery that clipped the top of off stump. Woakes then dismissed Kane Williamson, whose thin edge off a rising delivery was safely pouched by Ollie Pope. Daryl Mitchell offered brief resistance with a flurry of boundaries, but Brydon Carse removed Tom Latham with a superb diving return catch and later sent Rachin Ravindra packing, leaving New Zealand in tatters as rain briefly delayed the inevitable.

Sitting on a record second-innings lead of 533 after two days, England had the luxury to dictate the pace of the game. Root’s measured knock and Stokes’ tactical brilliance ensured no opportunity was wasted. England’s emphatic victory, achieved with nearly three days to spare, underscored their dominance and marked a historic series triumph on New Zealand soil.

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