New Zealand out of WTC after big loss to England in Wellington

New Zealand suffered a heavy defeat to England in the second Test, losing by 323 runs in Wellington on Sunday.

The loss ends their hopes of making the 2023-2025 World Test Championship Final next June, and is the Black Caps first home-series loss against England since 2008.

Cricket betting odds were dead even heading into the Test, but England quickly became heavy favorites across top betting sites after two days’ play.

New Zealand began Sunday behind by a whopping 533 runs, with England on 378/5 having rolled the Kiwis for 125 after scoring 280 in their first innings.

The visitors batted just long enough for Joe Root (106) to bring up his century, before Ben Stokes (49 not out) declared on a lead of 582 runs.

Needing a miracle, the Black Caps instead produced much of the same kind of batting that has gotten them into trouble against England the past fortnight.

Devon Conway (0), Kane Williamson (4) and Rachin Ravindra (6) all fell for single figures, shortening England’s odds to win even further, with Bet365 paying $1.001.

The Kiwi middle order provided some degree of respectability to the final score, with Daryl Mitchell (32), Glenn Phillips (16) and Nathan Smith (42) all chipping in around a rapid-fire century by Tom Blundell (115).

When Blundell fell in the 49th over, however, there was no heroics left in the Black Caps’ tail, and England quickly cleaned up the bowlers to end the hosts second innings, 259 all out.

“Amazing to be stood here winning the series after being 40/4 on day one,” English captain Ben Stokes said after the match.

“The way Harry Brook and Ollie Pope played on day one set up this game for us.

“Jacob Bethell has certainly shown us what he’s about and shown the world what he’s about.

“The bowling performance through the first two matches has been exceptional.

“Bash (Shoaib Bashir) today, he did one of those jobs for the team bowling into that ridiculous wind.

“The way New Zealand came after him and he kept a smile on his face and kept bowling and bowling shows his character.”

New Zealand captain Tom Latham credited Harry Brook for England’s victory after the 25-year-old made 123 and 55 in his two innings.

“You look down that scorecard, there’s one guy (Brook) who took it away from us,” he said.

“Well played to him.

“The guys tried really hard, not doubting the effort the guys put in.

“They (England) put us under pressure. Not ideal.

“We came here with hopes today of putting up some good partnerships but losing three or four early put us on the back foot again.

“We’re obviously hurting. It’s disappointing to lose in that fashion.

“When you only put up 120-odd in the first innings, you’re on the back foot.”

The third and final Test between New Zealand and England will begin on Saturday, 14 December, in Hamilton.

Cricket betting sites are yet to release odds for the match, but England will likely be favorites going into the dead rubber.