New Zealand and England drew the second test, meaning that the home side won the series by one match to nil.
For the second test in Hamilton, both sides made changes. New Zealand brought in Matt Henry and Daryl Mitchell for Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme, whilst England gave a test debut to Zak Crawley, in place of the injured Jos Buttler. Chris Woakes was also preferred to Jack Leach.
England won the toss and chose to bowl first, enjoying early success when opener Jeet Raval was caught by Joe Root off Stuart Broad. And then Kiwi captain Kane Williamson was caught at first slip by Root, with Woakes the bowler this time.
However, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor added 116 for the third wicket, although Ben Stokes dropped Latham when he had scored 49 off the bowling of Jofra Archer. He made England pay for the miss by reaching his century, although England did claim the wicket of Taylor, caught by Root at slip of Woakes for 55. Latham and Henry Nicholls added 18, but play was brought to an early end on the first day with New Zealand on 173 3, with Latham unbeaten on 101.
Latham fell early on the second morning, bowled by Broad for 105, and then Broad supplied the catch which enabled Sam Curran to dismiss Nicholls for 16. However, BJ Watling and Mitchell put on 124 for the sixth wicket, until Broad had Watling caught by Rory Burns for 55. Mitchell, who had made 73, was the next to fall, Archer with the catch, and Broad again the bowler. Tim Southee and Mitchell Santner added 27, but Southee fell to a catch by Pope off Woakes, and then Archer took the wicket of Santner, out for 23, caught by Woakes. Last man out was Neil Wagner, caught by Sibley off the bowling of Curran, as New Zealand were bowled out for 375.
Broad took 4 for 73, and Woakes 3 for 83.
In reply, England lost Sibley lbw to Southee, and Joe Denly, caught behind off Henry, as England closed the day on 39 2.
However, on the third day England fought back with a stand of 167 for the third wicket, with Burns reaching his century before he was run out by Raval for 101, having hit 15 sixes. Root and Stokes then put on 44 but then England lost two quick wickets, Stokes caught by Taylor off Southee for 26, and debutant Crawley caught behind with Neil Wagner the bowler. Root though was undefeated on 114 when rain brought play to a premature end, with the tourists 269 5 overnight.
On the 4th day, Root built a big partnership with Pope, with the pair putting on 193 for the sixth wicket. Root reached his double century, ably supported by his younger colleague, before both eventually fell in quick succession. First to go was Pope, caught by Raval off Wagner for 75, followed by Root, out for his highest test score of 226, caught by Nicholls with Santner the bowler this time.
Wagner then quickly wrapped-up the tail. Woakes was caught behind, and then Archer and Broad were both bowled. England had been bowled out for 476, a lead of 101 on first innings. The best of the Kiwi bowlers was Wagner with 5 for 124.
In their second innings Latham was caught by Raval off Woakes, and Raval was lbw to Curran. Williamson and Taylor then put on 68 for the third wicket, until play ended early with the home side on 96 2, trailing by 5 runs with 8 wickets still standing.
The fifth day saw New Zealand go without losing a wicket, although Denlys drop of Williamson off Archer must go down as one of the worst in test cricket. Instead both men went on to make centuries until both captains shook hands. Williamson made 104 not out, whilst Taylor was undefeated on 105.
