England win their first Test series in New Zealand for more than 16 YEARS after cruising to 323-run victory inside three days in Wellington – as they target unexpected 3-0 whitewash

England have won their first Test series in New Zealand in more than 16 years after they completed a crushing 323-run victory inside three days at the Basin Reserve.

On an impossibly windy day in Wellington, only a fighting hundred from wicketkeeper Tom Blundell threatened to blow them off course. And Ben Stokes’ team can now set their sights on an unexpected 3-0 whitewash in Hamilton.

Post a fictional 583, New Zealand were dismissed for 259, giving England their first overseas series win since they beat Pakistan two years ago. It also means they will end 2024 on a winning note, with nine Test wins against seven defeats, and three series wins to go with two losses.

Of the three, this was by far the most impressive. While the other two were at home against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, this one came against New Zealand who were riding high after their unique 3-0 win in India. England, meanwhile, had just lost to Pakistan.

But their batsmen, led by Harry Brook and to a lesser extent Ollie Pope, dug them out of a hole in each of the first two Tests, and Brydon Carse’s bowling – fast, accurate and vicious – was excellent.

The wickets were shared on the third and final day, although Carse was, as always, in the thick of it. After Chris Woakes had bowled Devon Conway for a duck and then left Kane Williamson trailing by four during an excellent opening spell, Carse took a reflex return catch off his second ball to send New Zealand captain Tom Latham back for 24.

The hosts were dismissed for 259 in Wellington on a memorable day for the tourists

Joe Root completed his 36th Test hundred before falling on 106, allowing England to declare

And with the rain already falling on the ground, Carse caused a rash from Rachin Ravindra, who was six seconds behind.

Moments later, with New Zealand 59 for four, rain – now lashing horizontally across the ground as it swept in from the direction of the harbor – forced an early lunch.

Once it gave in, England got back to business. Gus Atkinson produced a beauty to put Daryl Mitchell behind on 32, and it was 141 for six when Shoaib Bashir speared a quicker through a weak jab from Glenn Phillips.

However, Blundell found a brave ally in Nathan Smith, and the pair enjoyed a raucous stand of 97 in 15.4 overs, with Bashir repeatedly hitting six over the head.

And it took a clever piece of work to end the fun.

As Blundell pushed himself to drive up Bashir, Ben Duckett – anticipating the strike – went from slip to leg slip and parried the ball with his left hand. As it fell to the ground he was quick enough to turn and collect the rebound, setting Blundell up for 115 off 102 balls.

The innings didn’t last long after that as Stokes advanced to finish with three for five – his best Test figures since July 2022.

Earlier, Joe Root completed his 36th Test hundred – moving him into fifth place with Rahul Dravid on the all-time list – before his dismissal for 106 brought up England’s declaration at 427 for six.

The wickets were shared on the final day as England got to work quickly

Ben Duckett took a catch to dismiss Tom Blundell after the wicketkeeper’s fighting century

Brydon Carse was in the thick of the action with his bowling once again fast, accurate and vicious

Root had resumed on 73 on a stormy third morning, comfortably beating Stokes even as his captain tried to cover every ball.

But Root opted for the orthodox until – on 98 – he left Will O’Rourke’s reverse drive and celebrated almost before the ball had reached the boundary.

Stokes also had both arms in the air as Root brought up his sixth Test hundred of 2024, equaling the English record for a calendar year – held by Denis Compton, Michael Vaughan, Jonny Bairstow… and Root himself.

When Root pushed the deserving O’Rourke to the diving Blundell for 106, Stokes – unbeaten on 49 – ended it and made New Zealand their unlikely target.