It is not frequently that we see two teams contesting in their best efforts and it goes down to the wire in test match cricket. But at Hamilton Park, something unprecedented and remarkable unfolded as the test match moved from day to day until the last wicket fell on day 5.
New Zealand was coming from a loss and it was expected that they will not let the second test match go all the way without a fight. The second match started well for them but the partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root of 294 gave New Zealand a big scare.
Trying to breakdown the big score of 435 runs, they could only score 209 runs in the second innings and it was achieved because captain Tim Southee made a 73 runs off 49 balls. England decided to enforce follow on knowing that New Zealand were still 226 runs behind.
Tha follow on was a game changer. New Zealand showed the resilience and strength that needed and both openers provided 150 runs partnership for the first wicket. Then New Zealand batters had a couple of hiccups but Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell made sure that England bowler toil hard for wickets.
Williamson got to become the highest run scorer for New Zealand in test cricket with his match defining innings of 132 runs before he was dismissed by Harry Brook. New Zealand lost last four wickets for mere 5 runs which was a terrible set of time for the home side but they had enough in their account to defend on day 5.
Chasing 258, England started well. They had 48 runs on board at the end of day 4. They had lost only one wicket but anything above 200 in the fourth innings of a test match requires wrestle with the pitch and tiredness. Joe Root kept leading England towards victory with his 113 ball 95 but once he was dismissed, New Zealand bowlers made sure no other batter gets time to set and build a partnership.
In the end, England needed only two runs with Jack Leach and James Anderson on the crease. Credit to New Zealand bowlers for their discipline and self belief that turned things their way. It was Neil Wagner who struggled through the series but at the moment, he dismissed James Anderson to win it for New Zealand.
Harry Brook, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, Matt Henry, Jack Leach; there are other names who left their impression in this match. The series has been drawn but it wasn’t ordinary for a moment, as long as, sides were on field, there was pure and patient contest of test cricket.