New Zealand wrote a lovely tale to become the fourth team to win a Test match after being faced with a follow-on. When the time called for it, each player rose to the occasion. Neil Wagner and Kane Williamson were instrumental in turning this test match into a classic. England put up a scorching display in the first innings of the second Test after being given the opportunity to bat by New Zealand skipper Tim Southee. They reached 435/8 in in 87.1 overs thanks to hundreds from Harry Brook (186) and Joe Root (153*). The bowlers from England then joined in to dismiss the Kiwis for 209. Ben Stokes, the captain of England, compelled the follow-on.
But, in their second innings, the Black Caps produced a stunning comeback. At 132, Kane Williamson took the lead and scored his 26th Test century. Williamson’s strike made him New Zealand’s highest Test run-scorer. Tom Blundell (90) and Tom Latham (83), both half-centuries, helped New Zealand set England a goal of 258. Neil Wagner’s blitz of short balls on the last day propelled New Zealand’s drive as England fell short by one run. The best score for New Zealand in the fourth innings came from Wagner (4/62). The entire cricketing community praised this magnificent display of Test cricket.
My bad! A repeat of the Edgbaston 2005 ashes test. A win by 2 runs and a strangle down the leg side to dismiss the last man. #ENGvsNZ #Wellington
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 28, 2023
Test Cricket is Best Cricket. What a Match. England Vs @BLACKCAPS has become one of the most dramatic clashes in recent times , another thrilling game.
Well done to NZ on a great win after being asked to follow-on and well done Eng on making the best format most exciting #EngvNZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 28, 2023
No better game in the world than Test cricket. What a finish!!! #NZvENG
— Marnus Labuschagne (@marnus3cricket) February 28, 2023
Winning after being asked to follow on. And winning by just 1 run. What an advert for Test cricket! Well played @BLACKCAPS #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/ova8B2jNmJ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 28, 2023
Incredible game of cricket .. The greatest format shining once again .. #NZvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 28, 2023
We can’t even feel too gutted about that.
What an incredible match. Test cricket as we want to play it and see it.
The greatest format of the game is alive and kicking and we’ll do everything we can to entertain fans across the world.
Thank you for watching
🇳🇿 #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/mXDbGgXb4i
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 28, 2023
Incredible scenes at the Basin Reserve. A thrilling end to the 2nd Test in Wellington#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/tyG7laNtdP
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2023
The Black Caps are the fourth team to triumph in a Test after being forced to follow on, with India’s improbable victory against Australia in Kolkata in 2001 serving as the most recent example before this contest. This was only the second occasion in the history of Test cricket where a team won by just one run. When West Indies defeated Australia in Adelaide in 1993, it was the first time this had happened.