In Short
- Wellington Test became only 4th match where a team won after follow-on
- Kane Williamson has been named Player of the Match for his gutsy 132
- Harry Brook has been adjudged Player of the Series for amassing 329 runs
By India Today Sports DeskNew Zealand secured a one-run victory over England to draw the Test series 1-1 at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Tuesday (February 28).
On a Neil Wagner ball, James Anderson was caught by wicket-keeper Tom Blundell, leading to unbelievable scenes of jubilation among New Zealand players. The one-run victory is only the second in the history of Test cricket after West Indies’ win over Australia in 1993.
The match also became only the fourth in which a team won after a follow-on.
England ( vs Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on December 20, 1894)
England ( vs Australia at Headingley, Leeds on July 21, 1981)
India (vs Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 15, 2001)
New Zealand (vs England at Basin Reserve, Wellington, February 28, 2023)
England resumed on 47/1, needing 210 runs on Day 5. The visitors lost four wickets in quick succession with the target still gettable as captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root overcame the flurry of wickets. The duo stitched a 121-run stand for the sixth wicket, which appeared to be a match-winning partnership.
However, Neil Wagner brought New Zealand back into the match as he struck twice to remove both Stokes and Root. The match was still going in England’s favour as Ben Foakes added 35 runs. With seven runs still needed and one wicket in hand, Jack Leach took a single before James Anderson played one down midwicket off Wagner.
New Zealand captain Tim Southee denied England any chance in his maiden over. Wagner, whose lengths were causing trouble for Anderson, was again handed the ball and this time he got his man to help New Zealand win the second Test.
Rodrigo Wolf
Irwin Lind
Jakob Auer