New Zealand scripts history with 1-run win vs ENG; becomes only 3rd team to achieve this rare feat in 150-plus years of test history

The world has witnessed many incredible games in the history of the game so far. But the second test between New Zealand and England in Wellington was one of the biggest advertisements for test cricket. New Zealand has registered a famous win to level the series.

After suffering a humiliation in the first test by 267 runs, Tim Southee and his men held their nerve to register a 1-run win in the second test on the final day, and the series ended at a score of 1-1. With this win, New Zealand has become only the fourth team in history to register a special feat.

In the 150-plus years of test cricket, this was only the fourth time that a team won the game after the follow-on. England (twice) and India (once) have done it before today. The hosts were down and out for most of the second test. 

It started with England declaring their first inning at a score of 435/8. Harry Brook (186) and Joe Root (153*) scored centuries. In reply, New Zealand got bowled out for 209 runs. With a lead of 226, England enforced the follow-on.

However, New Zealand batted well in their second inning and scored 483 runs. Kane Williamson scored 132 runs, while Tom Blundell made 90. New Zealand set England a target of 257 runs to win. England started Day 5 at 48/1 but lost four wickets for just 27 runs. They were at 168/5 at lunch.

However, the former English captain Joe Root once again showed his class and kept England in the game. He added a vital 121 runs with skipper Ben Stokes (33) for the sixth wicket. It looked like England would win the game easily. But then New Zealand applied the plan of bouncing out the batters.

In the end, England got dismissed for 256 runs in 74.2 overs and fell short by just one run. Neil Wagner picked up 4/62, Southee took 3/45, and Matt Henry took 2/75. Williamson won "Man of the Match," and Brook was adjudged "Player of the Series."