England thump New Zealand by 323 runs to win second Test; take series

Visitors secure a 2-0 lead in the three-match series despite Blundell’s defiant century in New Zealand’s second innings.

An aggressive England have thrashed New Zealand by 323 runs in the second Test in Wellington to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series after dominating the hosts almost from start to finish.

Joe Root scored a century on Sunday before England’s bowlers knocked over New Zealand for 259 in the final session of day three in Wellington, clinching a series on New Zealand soil for the first time since 2008.

As with their eight-wicket loss in Christchurch, New Zealand were outplayed for long periods, although Tom Blundell showed some late resistance with a century as he fought bravely in the unlikely pursuit of a winning target of 583.

The wicketkeeper was dismissed for 115 soon after tea, caught brilliantly by slip Ben Duckett off spinner Shoaib Bashir to spark a lower-order collapse.

Nathan Smith (42) and Matt Henry (4) both fell to Ben Stokes (3-5) before the England skipper removed Tim Southee (8), caught in the deep in the game’s final act.