Wellington, December 7, 2024 – England etched their name into cricket history by becoming the first team to surpass 500,000 runs in Test cricket during the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve. Harry Brook’s crisp double off Kiwi pacer William O’Rourke sealed the milestone, a testament to England’s storied legacy spanning 1,082 matches over 147 years.
By the end of Day 2, England had amassed 378 for 5, bringing their overall tally to 500,126 runs. This achievement caps a remarkable journey featuring 717 players and over 18,900 innings since England played the first-ever Test in 1877.
Match Highlights
England dominated the match from the outset. Bowling out New Zealand for 125 in the first innings, England posted a commanding 280 runs, with Harry Brook’s century leading the charge. Guy Atkinson and Brydon Carse shared the spoils with four wickets apiece.
In their second innings, England continued their onslaught:
- Ben Duckett: 92
- Jacob Bethell: 96
- Harry Brook: 55
- Joe Root: An unbeaten 73*, marking his 100th Test fifty and joining legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting.
Declaring at 427 for 6, England set New Zealand a monumental target of 583 runs. The visitors finished Day 2 with a staggering 533-run lead and five wickets in hand.
England Seals Historic Series Win
On Day 3, England completed a commanding 323-run victory, securing their first Test series win in New Zealand since 2007-08. Despite a valiant 115 from Tom Blundell, New Zealand’s batsmen crumbled under relentless pressure.
Blundell fought back alongside Nathan Smith (42) in a 96-run partnership, but England’s bowlers were unstoppable:
- Chris Woakes: 2-33
- Brydon Carse: 2-46
- Ben Stokes: 3-5, delivering a decisive late spell.
Shoaib Bashir removed Blundell with a sharp catch at slip by Duckett, extinguishing New Zealand’s last hopes. The hosts were bowled out for 259, with Matt Henry and Tim Southee falling cheaply to England’s fiery attack.
England’s Historic Milestone
The landmark 500,000th run underscores England’s enduring dominance in Test cricket. Root’s second-innings century, Brook’s continued brilliance, and Bethell’s steady contributions exemplified the depth of England’s batting lineup.
Series Context
Having won the first Test by 8 wickets at Hagley Oval, England claimed the three-match series 2-0. The victory not only celebrated their historic milestone but also reinforced their position as one of the world’s top cricketing nations.
With their performance, England showcased the blend of experience and emerging talent that has characterized their resurgence under coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.
For New Zealand, the series was a bitter disappointment, marking missed opportunities against a formidable opponent.
