England beat New Zealand by 323 runs to win the second Test; take the series | Cricket news

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

A feisty England 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 team almost from start to finish.

Joe Root hit a century on Sunday before England bowled out New Zealand by 259 runs in the final session of the third day in Wellington, winning the series in New Zealand for the first time since 2008.

Like their eight-wicket defeat in Christchurch, New Zealand were outplayed for a long time, although Tom Blundell showed resilience with a century as he battled bravely in pursuit of a 583-wicket win.

The wicketkeeper was dismissed for 115 runs just after tea, caught by Ben Duckett off spinner Shoaib Bashir to spark a low collapse.

Nathan Smith (42) and Matt Henry (4) both fell to Ben Stokes (3-5) before the England captain removed Tim Southee (8), who was caught deep in the last over of the match.

Stokes said it was “amazing” to win the series playing the kind of front-foot style he has made a trademark under his leadership.

He praised Harry Brook’s “courage” in his first-day knock of 123 which turned the tide after New Zealand’s seamers claimed four scalps in the morning.

“That wicket is what we call a snakepit, especially on the first day, it does a lot,” said Stokes at Basin Reserve.

“For Brooky to have the courage and support of her talent – but also to have the ability to go out and play like that – it was amazing,” he said.

With England enjoying a quick victory, Root set the tone on the third day by scoring his 36th century before being dismissed for 106 runs, making the declaration after half an hour with England resuming on 427-6.

New Zealand, who have never looked like the team that recently stunned India 3-0 on the road, limped to 59-4 at lunch in reply.

Their innings got some respect in the middle half with the efforts of Blundell, Smith and Daryl Mitchell (32).

Despite his side’s woes, Blundell was ready to play the shots, hitting 13 fours and five sixes as he scored his fifth century to complete a run of form.

Stokes, whose side were beaten 2-1 by Pakistan last week, said he had always hoped they would not need a fourth day to complete the emphatic victory.

“Look, 580 runs is a lot of runs wherever you are, there is always pressure on New Zealand to chase that, especially on that wicket,” he said.

New Zealand captain Latham said the two heavy defeats had left his side “obviously gutted”, but they would aim to regain their pride in the third and final Test starting in Hamilton on December 14.

Latham said, “We came here hoping today to have a good relationship but we lost three or four times. [wickets] in the morning he put us on the back foot.

“England put pressure on us and when they did that they were able to put their foot on the throat.

“They are playing some good cricket at the moment.”