Ben Stokes bats on day 2 of the second Test between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Photo: AP/Kerry Marshall Ben Stokes bats on day 2 of the second Test between New Zealand and England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Photo: AP/Kerry Marshall 
Here are the highlights of the third day of the second Test between England and New Zealand at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Sunday (December 8, 2024). England declared their second innings on 427/6 and set a target of 583 runs for the hosts. Tom Blundell led their chase but could not take his team past the winning line as Kiwis were restricted to 259 runs on Day 3. (Streaming | More Cricket News)
Earlier, Gus Atkinson became the 15th English bowler and the first since Moeen Ali in 2017 to take a Test hat-trick as England bowled out New Zealand for 125 to take a 155-run first-innings lead.
In reply, England were 378-5 in their second innings with Joe Root 73 not out and captain Ben Stokes unbeaten on 35. Follow the live cricket scores and ball-by-ball commentary from the NZ vs ENG Test, right here.
Toss UpdateTom Latham won the toss and had elected to field first.
Playing XIsNew Zealand: Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, William ORourke
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope(w), Ben Stokes(c), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir
The third and final Test will be played in Seddon Parktapwin.com, Hamilton starting December 14.