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England’s cricketers have returned to winning way after gaining a 2-0 unassailable lead in their series against New Zealand. After home captain Tom Latham won the toss, New Zealand put England into bat.

Harry Brook, who starred in the first test win, scored another century in the first innings here (123). The Yorkshire batter was ably supported by England vice-captain Ollie Pope (66).

It would only be Brook and Pope who made some form of telling contribution here, which meant England were all out for 280. Is this a good score? No one could be sure until New Zealand got their first innings underway.

Sadly, for the home side, their first innings ended almost before it began. Tom Latham’s Black Caps were all out for 125. Kane Williamson (37), just like in the first test, was the only player to have put up some form of resistance, but he was powerless as Brydon Carse (4-46) continues to impress, as does Gus Atkinson.

So, that superb bowling performance by Ben Stokes’ side meant that England had a massive 155-run lead, which was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Although Jack Crawley was out cheaply against his bogey team, Ben Duckett (92) and Jacob Bethell (96) scored 187 for the second wicket.

Joe Root (106), Brook (55) and Stokes’ 49 not out meant New Zealand needed a mammoth 582. In the home side’s response, Williamson would be dismissed cheaply on this occasion. Still, a century for Tom Blundell (115) and a battling 42 from Nathan Smith helped The Black Caps fair better than they did the first time up, but truth is told, they faired a little better than the first innings but were still well beaten. New Zealand were 259 all out, which meant they lost by 323 runs.

New Zealand will hope to restore pride in the third and final test when it faces England in Hamilton.

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