England secured a commanding 323-run victory over New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington, clinching the series. While Harry Brook stole the spotlight with stellar batting, Zak Crawley continued to face challenges at the top order. Here’s a summary of England’s player ratings:
Zak Crawley (4/10): Crawley struggled yet again, with scores of 17 and 8. His average against New Zealand remains dismal, raising questions about his spot in the team.
Ben Duckett (7/10): Duckett rebounded from a first-innings duck to score 92 in the second, showcasing his attacking style. However, he narrowly missed a century.
Jacob Bethell (8/10): The young left-hander impressed with 96, his highest Test score yet, solidifying his claim for the No. 3 spot.
Joe Root (8/10): Root added another century to his tally, his sixth of the year, demonstrating why he’s among the world’s best.
Harry Brook (9/10): Brook’s brilliant 123 in the first innings rescued England and earned him Player of the Match honours.
Ollie Pope (7/10): Pope contributed a vital 66 but remains under pressure for his spot.
Ben Stokes (7/10): Stokes showed glimpses of his vintage form, contributing with bat and ball.
Chris Woakes (6/10): Woakes provided steady performances with the ball, taking crucial wickets.
Gus Atkinson (7/10): Atkinson claimed a historic hat trick, though his overall rhythm seemed off.
Brydon Carse (8/10): Carse was outstanding, taking six wickets and continuing his dominance from the first Test.
Shoaib Bashir (6/10): Bashir displayed resilience, claiming key wickets despite being targeted by aggressive batting.
England’s blend of youth and experience proved pivotal, with standout individual performances leading to a comprehensive series win.
England's Test tour of New Zealand
First Test (Christchurch): England won by eight wickets
Second Test: England won by 323 runs
Third Test: December 14-18 (Hamilton)