New Zealand thrashed England in the second test to seal series victory with an eight wicket victory at Edgbaston. Trent Bolt ended England’s innings with the first ball of the morning on the fourth day, before New Zealand romped to victory.

Visitors make lots of changes for second test

Before play began on the first morning New Zealand made six changes while the home side once again failed to play a frontline spinner.

The Black Caps won the toss and decided to put England in to bat. Openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley looked comfortable by putting on 72 for the first wicket before Sibley(35) edged behind to Matt Henry.

Six balls later Zak Crawley was caught at third slip for a duck off Neil Wagner. Henry then had Joe Root caught behind for four to leave England 85 for 3. Spinner Ajax Patel entered the fray and had Ollie Pope caught behind for 19. Wickets continued to tumble as New Zealand turned the screw. Wicketkeeper James Bracey who really struggled in this series went for nought first ball.

Burns looking England’s best batsman

In between the loss of wickets Burns was looking in control before he edged Tret Boult to second slip. It was down to Dan Lawrence who finished the day unbeaten on 81 to rescue England as they closed the day on 258 for 7.

Some powerful hitting from Wood(41) early on the second morning and an unbeaten 81 from Lawrence saw England through to 303 with Boult taking four for 85.

Stuart Broad struck early for the home side when he trapped Tom Latham leg before for six. Despite this early set back Devon Conway and Will Young saw the tourists through to a comfortable position before Broad snapped up the wicket of Conway for 82. Young fell to Dan Lawrence with the last ball of the day for 82 as New Zealand closed on 229 for 3.

taylor makes it three Kiwis out in the 80’s

Ross Taylor became the third Kiwi to be dismissed in the 80’s when he edged Olly Stone behind for 80. However, this New Zealand outfit bat deep, with the visitors adding 96 for the last six wickets to be bowled out for 388. Broad taking four for 48, with New Zealand holding a useful first innings lead of 85.

England’s reply started badly when Burns(0) fell second ball to Matt Henry, who also bagged the wickets of Sibley(18) and Crawley(17) to leave England in trouble on 30 for 3. The hosts continued to struggle with a mixture of poor shots and good Black Caps bowling to close the day on 121 for 9, on the brink of defeat.

Fourth days play barely lasts an hour

Stone fell to the first ball of the fourth day as England were dismissed for 121 to leave New Zealand the simple task of 38 to win. Conway went for 3 and Young 8, but an unbeaten 23 from Latham saw the visitors over the line.

It was also New Zealand’s first Test series win in England since 1999, moving them back to the top of the ICC rankings.