England v BLACKCAPS, Second Test at Headingley Stadium, Leeds
First Innings: BLACKCAPS 350 in 72.1 overs (Latham 84, McCullum 41, Ronchi 88; Broad 5-109) v England 350 in 108.2 overs (Lyth 107, Cook 75; Southee 4-83)
Second Innings: BLACKCAPS 454-8d in 91 overs (Guptill 70, McCullum 55, Taylor 48, Watling 120, Ronchi 31, Craig 58*, Southee 40; Wood 3-97) defeated England 255 all out in 91.5 overs (Cook 56, Buttler 73; Craig 3-73, Williamson 3-15) by 199 runs
The BLACKCAPS are celebrating their first Test victory at Headingley in 32 years, and only their fifth Test win against England away from home, after a gripping final day of the second Test in Leeds.
Dark, brooding clouds surrounded the ground for much of the day’s play, but the rain, which had ended play after lunch the previous day, never arrived and New Zealand completed a famous Test win.
England resumed this morning on 44-0 and needed 411 runs to complete the largest successful run chase in Test history, while the BLACKCAPS needed 10 wickets to win the Test and square the series.
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Kane Williamson, who is so often the hero with the bat for the BLACKCAPS, reinforced his “golden arm” reputation when he claimed the key wickets of Alistair Cook, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad.
The offspinner, who had his bowling action cleared by the ICC in December, finished with figures of 3-15 to get the BLACKCAPS home for a memorable win on the ground where he plays his County cricket.
The visitors, looking to maintain their unbeaten record from the previous six Test series, got off to a perfect start with Trent Boult and Mark Craig claiming two wickets apiece in the first 15 overs of the day to have England in trouble at 62-4.
The home side fought back with Cook (56) and Stokes (29) combining for a 40-run partnership for the fifth wicket, before Williamson had danger man Stokes caught behind on his fifth ball of the day.
England was 102-5 at lunch, all thoughts of chasing down 455 gone, but with captain Cook at the crease they were still a chance of holding on for a draw and a 1-0 series win.
When he went in the 54th over – trapped in front by Williamson in a decision that he reviewed. It was upheld: the beginning of the end for England.
Jos Buttler (73) and Mark Wood (17) provided some late resistance in a 42-run partnership that lasted 72 deliveries.
When Buttler was dismissed by Craig in the 92nd over, the BLACKCAPS were celebrating a special moment of history with their first Test win in Leeds since 1983.
Earlier in the day, the BLACKCAPS came out firing in the cool and windy conditions.
Boult removed Yorkshireman Adam Lyth in his fourth over this morning when he got the ball to swing away from the left-hander and take the edge through to keeper Luke Ronchi.
The 25-year-old, who had got his name on the Honours Board at Lord’s for a five-wicket bag the previous week, continued his good form with the Duke ball when he bowled Gary Ballance with an outswinging Yorker. 
Meanwhile, offspinner Craig, who opened the attack from the Carnegie Pavilion end, took little time getting into a good rhythm.
Bowling to Ian Bell (1), captain McCullum altered his field to add in a leg slip and the very next ball Craig had his man with a straightforward catch to Kane Williamson.
Joe Root then clipped Craig hard to short leg, where Tom Latham put his body on the line and bravely caught the ball against his body. Root went for a duck and the England run chase was in tatters at 62-4.
Williamson, the infrequently used offspinner, delivered immediate reward claiming the wicket of powerful allrounder Stokes and then claimed three more scalps.
The Man of the Match was BJ Watling (120) who produced a match-winning innings when he scored the fifth Test century of his career and the first by a New Zealander at Headingley.
The quality of cricket in this Test series has been as entertaining as it has been competitive and means the BLACKCAPS have now gone unbeaten in seven consecutive Test series, since October 2013: a new New Zealand record. Watch Test debutant Luke Ronchi reviewing the team's achievement after the final day:
The BLACKCAPS now move into the ODI series, a mix of day matches and day/nighters against England, and have a warm up game against Leicestershire starting 9.30pm NZT on Saturday ahead of the opening ODI on Tuesday at Edgbaston.
DAY FOUR
A fascinating final day is in store at Headingley tonight with both the BLACKCAPS and England stating that they will go for the win in the second and final Test.
The BLACKCAPS came out firing this morning – BJ Watling (120), Mark Craig (58*) and Tim Southee (40 from 24) pouring on an entertaining 116 runs from only 16 overs, before skipper Brendon McCullum signalled the declaration at 454-8.
Brendon McCullum calls the players in. Photos: Photosport.nz
In reply, England was 44-0 after 13 overs, before rain arrived shortly after lunch. It set in, forcing an early end to play on day four.
With skipper Alistair Cook (18*) and Adam Lyth (24*) at the crease, the hosts will complete a world record chase if they reach the required 455 tomorrow, but Yorkshireman Joe Root has said England believes the total to be very achievable.
The BLACKCAPS, meanwhile, also believe they are on the cusp of their first Test victory at Headingley in 32 years.
Needing to win to draw the series, they resumed this morning on 338-6 with Watling and Craig at the crease on 100* and 15* respectively.
Watling had brought up his fifth Test century before stumps on day three – the first ton scored at Headingley by a New Zealander. He carried on to 120 before he was undone by James Anderson, Root claiming a good diving catch to his right.
At the other end, Craig continued his fine Test in Leeds with his third half century in Tests from 72 balls.
Mark Craig takes a boundary off James Anderson
The lefthander was well supported by Southee, who delivered a typical innings of risk and reward and freed his arms, in his usual style, as he hit six fours and a six in an innings that further strengthened the BLACKCAPS' position in the match.
No fewer than eight BLACKCAPS batsmen struck sixes in the innings, a new world Test record
At the end of it New Zealand had another record: it was the first time in Test cricket history that eight batsmen had hit sixes in one innings, beating the record of seven from South Africa against Zimbabwe in 2010.
England bowled short this morning to the BLACKCAPS and paid the price with the tail order taking them on. Stuart Broad’s final over went for 19 runs, with Matt Henry (12 from 4 balls) unleashing before McCullum’s declaration.
The weather inevitably made for was a frustrating day today, but if both teams live up to their talk, then tomorrow should be another fascinating final day, as was day five at Lord’s last week.
Play is scheduled to start 10pm NZT (11am in Leeds)
DAY THREE
BJ Watling made his fifth Test century and Brendon McCullum made history today at Headingley as the BLACKCAPS dominated day three of the second Test.
BJ Watling starred with an unbeaten century. Photos: www.Photosport.nz
McCullum (33) came to the crease with the BLACKCAPS precariously placed at 122-3, before he hit a patient knock of 55 from 98 balls in an invaluable 121-run partnership with Watling.
The skipper, who was added to the Queen’s Birthday Honours List with coach Mike Hesson this morning, would also become only the second New Zealander to go past 6000 Test runs, after his good mate Stephen Fleming (7172).
A very special day for BLACKCAPS captain Brendon McCullum. Photos: www.Photosport.nz
Watling, picked in this match as a specialist batsman, brought up his century near stumps, the BLACKCAPS 338-6 and in a commanding position.
The visitors, who need to win the Test to square the series, finished the day leading by 338, with scores level after the First Innings when England was bowled out for 350.
Tim Southee set the tone at the start of the day with a superb spell of swing bowling to finish with four wickets, before England’s Stuart Broad (46 from 39 balls) counterattacked with a destructive cameo.
Matt Henry watches as Stuart Broad motors. Photos: www.Photosport.nz
In reply, the BLACKCAPS got off to a slow start to be 23-2; Tom Latham (3) and Kane Williamson (6) back in the pavilion within the first 10 overs, both falling to Broad.
Martin Guptill (70) and Ross Taylor (48) set about restoring the New Zealand innings in aggressive fashion. They brought up their 50-run partnership in only 28 balls as they took on the English attack, and at one stage were scoring at 10 runs per over.
Taylor, who was dropped by Gary Ballance in the slip cordon on six runs, looked comfortable in his run-a-ball innings, which included five fours and a six.
It came to an end when he hit a lofted drive to wide mid-off to be caught by Ben Stokes, his partnership with Guptill worth 99 in 87 balls.
Guptill went on to bring up his half-century – his 14th in Test match cricket – with a six down the ground from the bowling of Moeen Ali. The 28-year-old from Auckland was gone when he edged Mark Wood to Joe Root at third slip.
The BLACKCAPS, with McCullum and Watling at the crease, were 143-4 at tea and needed another partnership to build a competitive second innings total.
McCullum was dismissed in a very close LBW decision from the bowling of Wood, and Ronchi went with seven overs remaining in the day.
At the start of the day, England had resumed on 253-5 and were put under immediate pressure by a great opening spell from Trent Boult and Southee.
Southee had the ball on a string as he bowled with accuracy and swing. He claimed Ian Bell (12) in his first over of the day when he drew the edge to Mark Craig at second slip. Three balls later Ali was on his way after a fine catch from Guptill at third slip.
Meanwhile, Broad played without fear and took on the BLACKCAPS bowling attack with shots that ranged from the classical to the unorthodox.
He combined with Wood for a 51-run partnership for the ninth wicket. Off-spinner Craig ended the partnership when he had Wood caught behind by Ronchi.
Broad’s partnership with James Anderson for the 10th wicket was worth 32 runs before Matt Henry bowled him to finish the innings.
The BLACKCAPS need to win at Headingley for the first time since 1983 to continue their unbeaten run in their last six Test series.
BJ Watling heads into Day Four unbeaten.
DAY TWO
It was another day of ebb and flow at Headingley, with the BLACKCAPS hard graft being rewarded in the final session on day two, after a strong start with the bat from England.
England, leading the series 1-0 after winning by 124 runs at Lord’s, finished the day at 253-5 and trail the BLACKCAPS by 97 runs.
Alastair Cook (75) made history and local lad Adam Lyth (107) made his maiden Test match century in an impressive opening stand of 177. Bowling well, the breakthrough just would not come for the BLACKCAPS, but their persistence would pay off in the end.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee picked up the wickets of Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the space of nine runs, leaving the match evenly poised.
Southee claimed a dangerman in Root when he got the edge and Luke Ronchi took a fine catch, while Boult bowled Ballance with a full, swinging delivery, then nicked out Stokes.
At the start of play, the BLACKCAPS' tailenders played their shots – Mark Craig and Boult put on 40 runs for the 10th wicket – before being bowled out for 350 in the cool and overcast conditions.
Trent Boult thrilled the crowd with his fearless approach. Photos: Photosport.nz
Cook and Lyth, playing a much more traditional brand of Test cricket, withstood the early pressure of the swinging ball and then set about reeling in the New Zealand total. It was the first time that England had delivered an opening stand of 100 or more in four years.
Cook required only 32 more runs to overtake Essex mentor Graham Gooch (8900 runs) as the leading run-scorer in English Test history. He reached the milestone with a trademark display of disciplined batting.
The openers’ marathon stand of over three hours finally came to an end when off-spinner Craig successfully reviewed an LBW decision in the 59th over against him.
After James Anderson had become the first Englishman to secure 400 Test wickets (the 12th in history) on day one, this has been a special Test match already for the hosts.
Lyth, at the other end and at the start of his international career, delivered an innings which put England in a strong position heading into tea.
The Yorkshireman suffered a nervous moment on 90 when he got a deflection from a Tim Southee delivery that hit his stumps, but didn’t dislodge the bails.
The 25-year-old brought up three figures with a boundary through midwicket, leaped and fist-pumped the air to a rowdy reception from the Leeds home crowd. His innings would come to an end in the 75th over when he was run out by Boult.
Earlier, the BLACKCAPS had resumed this morning on 297-8 and added another 53 runs for the final two wickets, the tailenders putting on a thrilling show to start day two.
Craig (41*) was well supported by Matt Henry (27) and then Boult (19), who played some brilliantly unorthodox shots as they hit the English to all corners of the Yorkshire home ground.
England’s fast bowler Stuart Broad was the best of the home attack and he claimed his 13th five wicket bag in Test cricket, finishing with figures of five for 109 runs from 17.1 overs.
DAY ONE
A resolute display from Tom Latham and a spectacular debut innings from Luke Ronchi have led the fightback for the BLACKCAPS on day one of the second Test at Headingley in Leeds.
Luke Ronchi played an invaluable hand in his first day of Test cricket. Images: Photosport.nz
After rain delayed play for two hours and 30 minutes, New Zealand got off to a poor start at 2-2, James Anderson bringing up his 400th and 401st Test wickets for England.
However, Latham (84) was the mainstay of the BLACKCAPS innings when he combined with Brendon McCullum (41 from 28 balls) and, of most significance, Ronchi (88 from 70 balls) as the visitors finished the day on 297-8.
The 23-year-old Cantabrian Latham, who hit 137 and 103 against Pakistan on the BLACKCAPS Tour of the United Arab Emirates last year, continued his fine Test record to play the visitors back into the Test match.
He was fortunate to survive a testing period in the 70s which included a great LBW appeal from Moeen Ali, two dropped catches in successive balls and a further dropped chance. He was finally dismissed caught by Joe Root at first slip from the bowling of Stuart Broad in the 55th over.
Despite the regular loss of wickets, the BLACKCAPS scored freely and a 120-run partnership between Latham and Ronchi was a body blow for the hosts, as the wicketkeeper in particular flayed the attack to all corners.
Ronchi, making his first Test start at 34 years old, struck 13 fours and three sixes in a very memorable debut.
He brought up his half century from 37 balls to record the second-fastest 50 on Test debut for New Zealand after Tim Southee’s effort (29 balls) against England in Napier in 2008.
He looked on track to break the record for the fastest Test century on debut, too – held by India’s Shikhar Dhawan (85 balls) – before he was caught by Anderson at fine leg from the bowling of Broad.
BLACKCAPS skipper McCullum lost the toss and his counterpart Alistair Cook was quick to say his side would field first in the wet and windy conditions.
In the third over of the day, Anderson claimed his 400th Test wicket when he drew the edge of Martin Guptill (0) and the chance was well taken by Ian Bell at second slip.
The 32-year-old, who is playing his 104th Test, 12 years after making his debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, joined an elite club when he became only the 12th player in history and first Englishman to reach 400 Test wickets.
Two balls later he had even more reason to celebrate when he claimed Kane Williamson (0), who edged an outswinging delivery to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. With their centurion from Lord’s back in the hutch, the BLACKCAPS were reeling at 2-2.
But Latham combined with Taylor and then McCullum who batted without fear to restore the innings.
The 33-year-old McCullum, wearing a black arm band for the death of his grandfather, signalled his intentions from his first ball when he hit Stuart Broad over the cover boundary for six – only the fouth instance of a player hitting a six first ball in Test cricket.
McCullum would go on to hit six fours and one six to play New Zealand back into the game.
Debate burbled over whether the weather would play a significant role
He was undone on the first ball after tea when he looked to hit Ben Stokes over mid-off and picked out the fielder Mark Wood. The skipper requires 47 more runs to become the second BLACKCAPS batsman to score 6000 Test runs after Stephen Fleming (7172 runs).
BJ Watling was bowled by a beauty from Wood, but the fireworks continued when Ronchi came to the crease on Test debut and delivered an innings that was exceptional.
New Zealand finished the day with Mark Craig (16*) and Matt Henry (14*) at the crease.
The BLACKCAPS are looking to win at Headingley for the first time since 1983 to square the two-match series.
