Tim Southee believes being in England for one month leading up to the WTC final gives New Zealand an edge. (File Photo/Reuters)England New Zealand 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights: New Zealand won the two-match Test series 1-0 against England on Sunday before heading over to the World Test Championship finals vs India on June 18th at Southampton. This was only their third series victory in England and first since 1999.
It was a terrific performance by the Kiwis and only fitting that the stand-in captain Latham scored the winning runs and led his side to a comfortable win by 8 wickets at Edgbaston.
England was only 37 runs ahead at stumps with tailenders Olly Stone, 15 not out, and last man James Anderson, yet to score, in the middle. But Trent Boult made quick work as he got rid of Stone with the first ball of the day.
This victory also gives the Kiwis an extra day of rest before the world test championship final against India starting on Thursday.
England
303 (101.0) u0026 122 (41.1)New Zealand
388 (119.1) u0026 41/2 (10.5)New Zealand beat England by 8 wickets
Matt Henry is the Player of the Match.
1st innings -- 3/78
2nd innings -- 3/36
Latham hits the winning runs! A memorable Test series win secured for the Black Caps - just their third ever in England! Last time England lost a Test series at home was against f Sri Lanka in 2014, that was 14 series ago.
STONE STRIKES! Will Young falls, dragging onto his stumps with New Zealand just five from victory!
Tom Latham completes 4,000 Test runs with 40+ average, a very good Test opener currently in the world.
A no-ball, Latham goes for a quick single and a direct hit and Latham was a goner there. He survives. England's unbeaten run of 13 Test series at home (W9, L4) is about to come to an end. Just 10 more to win.
Broad with the first breakthrough for England. Devon Conway departs for 3. Lovely bowling from Broad as he kept probing and finally drew the edge. There was just a bit of movement and that was enough to take the outside edge. The visitors require 32 runs for a win. Miracle? Not really...
Good line to Latham early on from James Anderson. Latham, who has captained so well in Williamson's absence, will want to be there in 38 runs time to guide NZ home. Anderson, as true to his outstanding test career, will just want to give absolutely nothing away & take wickets.
First ball and he is out! Caught by Tom Blundell!! Well, well, well! One ball, just one ball is all it needed for Boult to wrap this up. Short of length delivery angled across the right hander, Stone cannot help but have a nibble at that, the ball kisses the shoulder of the bat and carries at a nice height for Blundell. New Zealand need 38 runs to win the series.
So on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test saw New Zealand at the cusp of a historic victory! With 1 wicket in hand, England lead by just 37. The hosts have been unbeaten in the Test series at home since 2014. Good momentum for Kiwis ahead of the WTC final!! Stay tuned as we build up to live action.