In a thrilling Test match between New Zealand and England in Wellington, the hosts managed to hold on to a win by 1 runs to level Test series 1-1 despite having their backs against the wall for much of the game. The Three Lions dominated the first half of the match and even enforced a follow-on on the Kiwis but eventually lost the match.
With this sensational victory, New Zealand have become just the third team after England and India to win a Test after being asked to follow in. In fact, this is such a rare achievement that only three times before has a team managed to do it. While the English side have done it twice in the past- against Australia in 1894 and 1981, India were the only team before New Zealand to do in the 21st century, having beaten Australia in the iconic Kolkata Test of 2001.
Talking about the match, the home team won the toss and chose to field first. However, their bowlers were not as effective as captain Tim Southee would have liked and England declared their first innings at 435/8 riding on centuries from Joe Root (153) and Harry Brook (186). In response, the Blackcaps were bowled out for only 209 with skipper Southee top-scoring with a quickfire 73 off 49.
However, after they were asked to follow on, New Zealand were superb in the second innings and Kane Williamson led the way with a hundred (132) with Tom Latham (83), Devon Conway (61), Daryl Mitchell (54) and Tom Blundell (90) all chipping in with half-centuries as they ended their second innings at 483, setting a target of 258 runs to win for England.
The visitors though were bowled out for 256 with Neil Wagner picking 4 for 62 and Tim Southee and Matt Henry scalping 3 for 45 and 2 for 75 respectively.