Wagner shines as New Zealand script historic one-run win against England

New Zealand and England served up an absolute classic on day five of the second Test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, with Tim Southee’s side scripting a dramatic last-gasp victory to draw the series at 1-1. The Blackcaps became just the fourth team in history to win a Test match after following on and just the second to win by a solitary run as the Kiwis edged out Ben Stokes’ side by the barest of margins.

Neil Wagner starred for the hosts in a tense final hour, with the left-armer’s short ball barrage bowling over the English tail to give the hosts a memorable victory.

England began the day with 210 runs needed and nine wickets in hand, but a top-order collapse in the morning session gave New Zealand the ascendency. Ollie Robinson top-edged Southee to Michael Bracewell, while Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope feathered edges behind the wicket. To make matters worse, Harry Brook departed for a diamond duck after being sold short by Joe Root, leaving England reeling at 80 for five.

However, despite losing four wickets for 27 runs in the first hour, England stayed on course for victory as Joe Root led the fightback for the tourists. The number four picked up from where he left off in the first innings and added 121 runs for the sixth wicket alongside his skipper Ben Stokes. Root kickstarted the counterattack by taking on the off-spinner Michael Bracewell and raced away to a run-a-ball 50.

A hobbled Ben Stokes took a more cautious approach as he struggled to run between the wickets, but Root’s effervescent stroke-play eased the pressure on the captain as the deficit shrunk into double digits.

Root and Stokes took England to within 57 runs of their target before Neil Wagner’s short-ball barrage triggered another twist in the tale. The left-hander broke the century stand with a steep bouncer that got the better of Ben Stokes before removing Joe Root for 95 in his next over to turn the tables on England.

Matt Henry left the visitors eight down with Stuart Broad top-edging the seamer to third man, but Ben Foakes frustrated the Blackcaps with a flurry of quick boundaries. The wicket-keeper couldn’t take England over the line, though, and departed with just seven runs needed, falling to another bouncer from a New Zealand pacer.

Neil Wagner took the decisive catch at deep third man to remove Foakes, and the left-armer completed New Zealand’s heist with the ball, strangling James Anderson down the leg side with just two runs remaining to secure an epic win for the Blackcaps.