Not even an explosive wicketkeeper-batter like Brendon McCullum could do what Tom Blundell managed to on Day 3 of the Wellington Test. Blundell became the first New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test.
On December 8, Blundell scored 115 runs from 102 balls amidst after hosts lost early wickets against England's new ball bowlers. His 115 is also the fourth-highest score by a wicketkeeper-batter in fourth innings of a Test. Australia's Adam Gilchrist holds the top spot (149 not out) followed by Pakistan's Sarfaraz Ahmed (118) and Moin Khan (117 not out). Blundell surpassed India's Rishabh Pant who scored 114 against England in 2018.
Blundell is the 10th wicketkeeper-batter to score a century in the fourth innings of a Test. The previous best of 85 belonged to McCullum. Interestingly, he did it in Wellington as well.
Blundell flicks the switch
Earlier, Joe Root scored his 36th Test century. Captain Ben Stokes declared the innings as soon as Root departed. England posted 427/6 on the board and set a target of 583. Before rain interrupted in New Zealand's run chase, they lost four wickets for 59 runs. Blundell got a reprieve early as he was dropped by Jacob Bethell at first slip off Brydon Carse's bowling. He gave England a taste of their own medicine and followed it up with a six. After Daryl Mitchell was dismissed by Gus Atkinson, Blundell shifted gears. He reached his fifty with a boundary off 56 deliveries.
Shoaib Bashir got the wicket of Glenn Phillips. Blundell and Nathan Smith looked to score quickly as the target was out of their grasp. In the last session of the day, he hit a six off the second ball. In the 47th over, he brought up his Test career's fifth century. He breached the three figures from 95 deliveries. Bashir ended Blundell's stay at the crease. He scored 115 runs from 102 balls including 13 fours and five sixes.
Huge loss for New Zealand
New Zealand were bowled out for 259 and lost the match by 323 runs. They lost the series at home and are out of World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final race as well.
