Stokes credits opening day turnaround for massive win

England Complete Series Win in New Zealand

England won the second Test in Wellington by 323 runs, securing their first series win in New Zealand after 16 years. Joe Root scored his 36th Test century, while the English bowling attack dismissed New Zealand for 259 in 54.2 overs, chasing a target of 583.

Ben Stokes, the England captain, was delighted with the series victory, attributing it to his team's dominant performance over the two Tests. Despite being bowled out for 270 in the first innings, Stokes felt the score was respectable given their early struggles at 43 for 4.

"In this Test in particular, on Day 1 we were 43 for 4 to be here on the winning side on day three is quite phenomenal. We got bowled out in fifty overs (54.5) but we had 270 [280] runs on the board which was a good score on that day one-wicket, and then we obviously had time left with the ball to be able to make some inroads. To score 270 and take five wickets at the end of day one really set this game up."

Stokes praised his pacers, who were instrumental in New Zealand's first innings collapse. Gus Atkinson took a hat-trick, finishing with 4 for 31, while Chris Woakes also claimed four wickets.

Stokes highlighted the bowlers' commitment to consistently bowling on a length and targeting the fourth stump channel. This consistency yielded five wickets on the first day and ultimately led to New Zealand's second innings dismissal in just 8.5 overs on Day 2.

"As a bowler you want to be able to plonk it on a length and plonk it onto the top of off stump over and over again. But sometimes when a batter is brave enough to take you on and knock you off your length, it's very hard to commit to still doing that."

Jacob Bethell, a 23-year-old who replaced the injured Jordan Cox, made his debut last week and scored a half-century. In the second Test, he scored 96 in England's second innings, narrowly missing his maiden Test century.

Stokes acknowledged Bethell's lack of first-class experience but emphasized his belief in the young player's potential. He was impressed by Bethell's mindset after being dismissed for 96, expressing his desire to drive the ball through the covers for his century.

"I know there was a bit made of Beth batting at three with his inexperience and the lack of first-class cricket batting up the top of the order. But me and Baz don't think like that. You've got a young lad with so much potential and so much talent, why not let him go out there and expose himself to Test cricket at its toughest.

"As a young lad, I was devastated for him to not get that three figures. But I walked in and I said to him, "it's only four runs, isn't it?" And his response was "Yeah, but it would have been flair if I smacked that through the covers to bring it up." Class. I think he's proved a lot to a lot of people and proved why we rate him so highly."

New Zealand captain Tom Latham praised England's performance, particularly Harry Brook's batting. Brook has scored 349 runs in three innings across the two Tests.

"It's the pressure they are able to put you under, especially with the bat. I think on day one it was offering enough for our bowlers and the way Harry played in that innings was outstanding. Credit where it's due. The way he played puts you under pressure from ball one. He played some incredible shots that you don't necessarily see from other teams around the world."