England Seals Series Victory over New Zealand with Thrilling Win

England has secured the series 1-0 against New Zealand after a resounding 323-run win in the second Test match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The victory was orchestrated by a stellar display of batting in the first innings, topped by Zak Crawley's 172 runs, followed by an impressive bowling performance by Ben Stokes, who took the final three wickets to seal the win.

In the first innings, England posted an impressive total of 427/6, with Joe Root contributing a crucial 106 runs, which included his 36th Test century. The centuries from Root and Crawley set the tone for the match, and New Zealand struggled to cope with the opposition's first-innings advantage. Tom Blundell's century of 115 runs was the highlight of New Zealand's innings, but it was not enough to help his team overcome the deficit.

The final blow came in the second innings when Ben Stokes clinched the final three wickets, joined by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse who took two wickets each, as New Zealand were bowlled out for 259 runs. England's total of 583 runs proved to be a milestone for New Zealand, far exceeding the opponent's reach. With this victory, England secured the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy and avoided a drawn series.

This win marks a significant achievement for England, having staged a remarkable comeback in the series after being considered underdogs in New Zealand's home turf. As the team returns home with two victories in hand, they seem to finish the grueling tour with renewed confidence and form, pacer Joe Root enjoying one of his best series, securing his 36th Test century and his sixth in a calendar year, marking an impressive milestone alongside Rahul Dravid.