Joe Root reached a historic milestone in England’s emphatic 323-run victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Wellington, equaling Indian legend Rahul Dravid’s record of 36 Test centuries. Root’s masterful 106 in the second innings, which came off 130 balls with 11 fours, helped him join the ranks of cricketing greats and reaffirmed his status as England’s most prolific Test century-maker.
Root’s ton against New Zealand marked his sixth Test century in 2024, equaling his personal record for the most hundreds by an English batter in a calendar year. His year has been nothing short of extraordinary, with 1,470 runs at an average of 56.53, including six centuries and four fifties across 29 innings. Globally, the most Test centuries in a calendar year remains with Pakistan’s Mohammed Yousuf, who scored nine in 2006.
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England’s victory in the second Test sealed the three-match series 3-0. After winning the toss and electing to field, New Zealand had England struggling at 43/4. However, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope staged a remarkable counterattack, stitching together a 174-run stand for the fifth wicket. Brook blasted his eighth Test ton, a scintillating 123 off 115 balls, while Pope contributed 66. England’s innings concluded at 280, with Nathan Smith (4/86) and Will O’Rourke (3/49) leading New Zealand’s bowling effort.
New Zealand’s first innings faltered under England’s fiery pace attack, managing just 125 runs. Gus Atkinson (4/31) and Brydon Carse (4/46) decimated the Kiwi batting lineup, with Kane Williamson’s 37 being the lone resistance. Trailing by 155 runs, New Zealand faced an uphill battle.
In the second innings, England’s top order delivered. Ben Duckett (92) and Jacob Bethell (96) forged a 187-run partnership, followed by a 95-run stand between Root and Brook (55). Root’s century, combined with a late surge from skipper Ben Stokes (49*), propelled England to 427/6 before declaring, setting New Zealand a near-impossible target of 583.
Facing a monumental chase, New Zealand’s top order collapsed to 106/5. A spirited 96-run partnership between Tom Blundell (115) and Nathan Smith (42) provided brief hope, but England’s bowlers remained relentless. New Zealand was eventually bowled out for 259 in 54.2 overs. Stokes (3/5) led the attack, with Carse, Shoaib Bashir, and Chris Woakes claiming two wickets each.
Root’s century and Brook’s dual contributions earned widespread praise, with Brook receiving the Player of the Match award for his innings of 123 and 55.
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