Summary

  • England beat New Zealand by 323 runs to win second Test and series

  • Stokes takes final three wickets to wrap up win

  • Bashir, Carse and Woakes take two wickets each

  • Earlier, Root made 36th Test century with ramp over keeper

  • Root joins India's Rahul Dravid in fifth place for most centuries in Tests

  • Third and final Test starts at 22:00 GMT on Friday

  1. Postpublished at 02:59 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    Sadly Queenstown is at the southern end of New Zealand's south island, while Wellington is at the bottom of the north one - it's a 14 hour trip in the car, and obviously includes a ferry across the Cook Strait.

    Otherwise I'd suggest that when this game wraps up cricketer Matt Henry use his spare time to rescue BBC Matt Henry.

  2. Postpublished at 02:56 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket reporter in Wellington

    Matt Henry update. He's still at the petrol station.

  3. Postpublished at 02:55 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    Right then, here we all are.

    It's nearly 3am, the biscuit situation is acute and I'm absolutely furious at Tom Blundell.

    He's frustrating England and me, the worst crime of all.

  4. Postpublished at 02:51 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    Thanks, Sam.

    Those subject to an extra dose of Mike Peter should immediately contact an emergency physician.

  5. Postpublished at 02:48 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    There's still every chance this match is done today but given the situation at lunch, it wasn't unreasonable to think England would have wrapped up victory before tea.

    That wasn't to be and, as a result, you lucky lot all get an extra dose of Mike Peter. He's back to take you through tea and the start of the evening session.

  6. Tea - NZ 199-6published at 44 overs

    Target 583

    Two dot balls end the over and that is tea.

    England took two wickets in the session to move ever closer to a series-clinching win.

    But Tom Blundell has batted very nicely for a run-a-ball 86 and has put on a quick 58 with Nathan Smith for the seventh wicket.

    They'll resume at the start of the evening session with New Zealand still some 384 runs shy of their target.

  7. NZ 198-6published at 43.2 overs

    Target 583

    Tom BlundellImage source, Getty Images

    Last over before tea but Tom Blundell is not playing for the break.

    He hammers a short ball from Brydon Carse through mid-wicket for four, finding the gap superbly.

  8. Postpublished at 02:40 Greenwich Mean Time 8 December

    Ashwanth R Kavuluri
    Cricviz analyst

    Shoaib Bashir's average drift in the second Test is 1.7°, which is significantly higher than the 0.96° in the first Test.

    The wind from the end he's bowling from is stronger, and as a result, he is experiencing almost double the drift compared to the first Test.

    The extra drift is helping to take the ball away from the batter. However, he's bowling wider lines, so a more attacking approach might be for Bashir to bowl a bit fuller and straighter, allowing the drift to move the ball away from the batter.

  9. NZ 194-6published at 43 overs

    Target 583

    Shoaib Bashir does get through his over very quickly, a probing maiden to Nathan Smith.

    Good over and bowled rapidly enough that England will get one more in before tea.

  10. NZ 194-6published at 42 overs

    Nathan Smith takes on the next bouncer, miscuing a pull shot but into a gap for two.

    Tom Blundell then ramps another over Ollie Pope but England have third very, very fine - essentially a backstop - so it brings only one.

    Time for one more over before tea - two if they're very, very quick.

  11. NZ 188-6published at 41.1 overs

    It's that time again. The field spreads and we're going to get a bouncer barrage.

    Brydon Carse is on to bowl and Nathan Smith ducks the first (of many, presumably) short balls.

  12. NZ 188-6published at 41 overs

    Blundell 80, Smith 21

    Harry Brook is off the field as a precaution because of a sore ankle.

    We've just seen pictures of him with his feet up on the balcony, looking very pleased to be avoiding fielding out in these strong Wellington winds.

    Meanwhile, Shoaib Bashir's long hop is pummelled to the fence by Tom Blundell.

    The right-hander follows up with a reverse sweep behind square for four - he's now 80 from 81 balls.

  13. NZ 178-6published at 40 overs

    Target 583

    Nathan SmithImage source, Getty Images

    A lovely drive through mid-off by is followed by a whip over mid-wicket.

    Four each time. Smith is enjoying himself out there.

  14. NZ 170-6published at 39 overs

    Target 583

    That six was the only scoring shot from the over as Shoaib Bashir dives to his left to stop a firm drive from Blundell to end the over.

    Good contest.

  15. 6 runs

    NZ 170-6published at 38.4 overs

    Tom BlundellImage source, Getty Images

    After that scare, decides going back isn't the option...

    So he skips down and nails Shoaib Bashir back over his head and out of the ground!

    Massive hit.

  16. NZ 164-6published at 38.2 overs

    So close!

    Wide from Shoaib Bashir and just that bit fuller than Tom Blundell thought as he went back to cut.

    He gets an inside edge and it misses off stump by a whisker.

    In fact, there's a suggestion it actually hit the stump. If it has then I've got no idea how the bails stayed on!?

  17. NZ 164-6published at 38 overs

    Two boundaries early in the Gus Atkinson over with Tom Blundell punching crisply through the covers and Nathan Smith clipping stylishly over mid-on.

    Three dot balls end it but that's nine from the over.

    Fair to say that England don't need to worry just yet, though.

  18. NZ 155-6published at 37 overs

    Nathan Smith clearly wants to have a bit of fun for as long as he's out there but Shoaib Bashir comes back well after that maximum.

    We've got half an hour until tea. England well in control to put in mildly but they will want this done today and another wicket or two before then would really help in that regard.

  19. 6 runs

    NZ 153-6published at 36.3 overs

    Target 583

    Six all the way!

    Nathan Smith is into his work quickly with a huge straight six off Shoaib Bashir.

    You knew it was six just from the sound off the bat. Right out of the middle.

  20. NZ 145-6published at 36 overs

    England need four wickets to win

    After five dot balls from Gus Atkinson, Tom Blundell whips a leg stump half-volley through mid-wicket for four.

    Lovely shot and with 438 more needed to win, New Zealand need a fair few more of those.