New Zealand created cricketing history on Tuesday (February 28) after they beat England in the second Test match in Wellington. The one-run win saw the Kiwis write a special chapter in the history of the game as they became just the third nation to win a Test match after being enforced to follow-on. The Kiwis who are also the defending World Test Championship (WTC) holders drew the series at 1-1 courtesy of the win, having earlier lost the first match in Mount Maunganui.
New Zealand script history
By winning the second Test by one run, it was only the fourth time in the history of the red-ball cricket, a nation went on to win a Test match having followed-on. Needing 258 runs, the likes of Joe Root (95) and Ben Foakes (35) were left to rue despite their valiant efforts. The defeat was just the second time Ben Stokes lost the Test match as the skipper of the side, having taken over the reigns in June 2022.
Teams to have won after being enforced to follow-on
1894 - England beat Australia by 10 runs
1981 – England beat Australia by 18 runs
2001 – India beat Australia by 171 runs
2023 - New Zealand beat England by 1 run
What happened on the final day?
Needing 210 runs to win, the English side made a poor start to the day and lost Ollie Robinson (2), Ben Duckett (33), Ollie Pope (14) and Harry Brook (0) early. However, Root steadied the ship while he was supported skipper Ben Stokes (33) as they put together a stand of 121 runs for the sixth wicket.
But Stokes and Root soon departed before the Kiwis struck a series of blows to the visitors. While they were 215/8, New Zealand looked in ascendency but then again lost way with seven runs to win as Foakes was dismissed.
There was more drama and tension to follow as James Anderson scored a four to take England near a win with one wicket in hand, but anti-climax followed soon. Anderson was dismissed Anderson with two runs to win which therefore guaranteed a win for the Kiwis by a solitary run.
