Hosts New Zealand suffered a record margin Test defeat against England at Wellington, which ended England’s 16-year-long wait for a Test series win in New Zealand. This crucial Test series defeat also hurt New Zealand’s qualification hope for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship final. 

Joe Root scored 36th Test century

Day three of the Wellington Test started with England’s second innings total of 378/5. Former English Test captain Joe Root climbed to the joint fifth position of most Test centuries with the legendary Indian batter Rahul Dravid by hitting his 36th Test century. 

Root and captain Ben Stokes had a 100-run partnership for the sixth wicket. After Root was gone for 106 runs in 130 balls (11 fours), Stokes declared the innings at 49 not out when England scored 427/6.

See Also: Australia bounce back in the series with 10-wicket win

England set 583-run target 

Hosts New Zealand had to chase the mammoth 583-run target in the fourth innings to win the Test and level the series. The Blackcaps lost their first four wickets for only 59 runs, as the opener Devon Conway (0), Kane Williamson (4), and Rachin Ravindra (6) were dismissed for single digits, while the other opener and skipper Tom Latham was out for 24 runs. 

Tom Blundell scored century

While Daryl Mitchell (32) and Nathan Smith (42) provided some fights, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell hit his fifth Test century. New Zealand were all out for 259 runs, where Blundell scored 115 off 102 balls with 13 fours and five sixes. 

English captain Ben Stokes bagged three wickets in 2.2 overs after conceding only five runs. Chris Woakes (2/20), Brydon Carse (2/53), and Shoaib Bashir (2/110) got two wickets each. Gus Atkinson, who took four wickets during New Zealand’s first innings (4/31), including a hat-trick, picked up one wicket in the fourth innings (1/68).  

New Zealand suffered their largest home Test defeat

England won the Test by 323 runs. It was New Zealand’s largest home Test defeat by runs. Their previous record was losing by 299 runs against Pakistan in the 2001 Auckland Test. Meanwhile, it was the Blackcaps’ third-largest Test defeat by runs, just behind the 372-run defeat against the hosts India (2021 Wankhede Test) and the 358-run defeat against the hosts South Africa (2007 Johannesburg Test). 

England won the Test series in New Zealand after 16 years

As England are leading the three-match Test series by 2-0 with one to go, they have already secured the away Test series. Previously, England won a Test series in New Zealand in 2008 (by 2-1). While their 2013 tour ended in a draw, hosts New Zealand won the next two series in 2018 and 2019. Before the ongoing Test series, England previously toured New Zealand in 2023, which ended in a draw. Finally, England won a Test series in New Zealand after 16 years. 

The highly anticipated five-match T20I series between England and the West Indies ended in a 3-1 victory for England, with the final match being abandoned due to rain. England’s dominance was driven by standout performances from both bat and ball. Saqib Mahmood and Jamie Overton were exceptional with the ball, consistently dismantling the West Indies' batting order, while Phil Salt and Jacob Bethell shone in the batting department, anchoring England’s victories. The series also marked a triumphant return for Jos Buttler, who came back from injury and provided stability as a leader and batsman, underlining England's depth and resilience in white-ball cricket.  

For the West Indies, the series was marred by inconsistency and the absence of key players. Losing Andre Russell at the outset was a significant blow, and their experienced batters—Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Shai Hope, and Shimron Hetmyer—failed to deliver. Despite this, Rovman Powell and Evin Lewis showed glimpses of form, offering some respite in an otherwise lackluster batting performance. In the bowling department, Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Motie were relatively effective, but Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd struggled to find consistency. Ultimately, the West Indies were outplayed by a well-rounded England side, leaving them with much to ponder ahead of their next series.

See Also: Tilak Varma's consecutive centuries secure series victory for India against South Africa (3-1)

Analyzing the Top 6 batters from this series 

The England vs. West Indies T20I series saw some exceptional performances with the bat, and Phil Salt emerged as a standout player for England. In four innings, Salt amassed 162 runs at an impressive strike rate of 165.31, including a brilliant century with a highest score of 103. His boundary percentage of 71.6% reflects his dominance in power-hitting, as he smashed 14 fours and 10 sixes. Salt's ability to combine power with precision was instrumental in England's success, setting the tone for their victories.  

Rovman Powell was the bright spot for the West Indies, scoring 153 runs in four innings. With a strike rate of 133.04 and an average of 38.25, Powell showcased his ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed. His innings of 54 stood out as a measured yet impactful contribution. Powell's boundary percentage of 64.05%, combined with 11 sixes, highlighted his knack for clearing the ropes, offering a glimmer of hope for the West Indies amidst a disappointing series.  

Jacob Bethell's performances for England were equally remarkable. In just four innings, he scored 127 runs at a phenomenal average of 127 and a strike rate of 173.97. His two half-centuries, with a top score of 62, emphasized his consistency and maturity. Bethell's boundary percentage of 64.56%, complemented by 10 fours and 7 sixes, showcased his ability to find gaps and clear boundaries at will, making him a key contributor to England's batting success.  

England skipper Jos Buttler, making a comeback from injury, delivered a strong performance with 125 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 168.92. His unbeaten 83 demonstrated his trademark aggression and timing, as he smashed 10 fours and 9 sixes. Buttler's boundary percentage of 75.2% was among the highest in the series, proving that he had not lost his touch despite a long injury layoff. His leadership, coupled with his batting form, provided England with a significant edge.  

Evin Lewis and Will Jacks also contributed to their respective sides but with contrasting styles. Lewis scored 121 runs for the West Indies at a strike rate of 161.33, relying heavily on boundaries, with 80.99% of his runs coming from fours and sixes. In contrast, Jacks managed 112 runs for England, with a focus on strike rotation, achieving a strike rotation rate of 41.07—the highest among the top performers. Their contributions, though overshadowed by their teammates, were valuable in adding depth to their lineups and maintaining the competitive edge throughout the series.

See Also: Marco Jansen’s fiery knock gives South Africa hope but falls Just 11 runs short

England Test captain and all-rounder Ben Stokes has marked himself unavailable for the mega auction for a second straight season in a row. The decision comes as the star all-rounder wants to prolong his red-ball career over franchise cricket. As per current IPL regulations, any overseas player opting out of the mega auction will automatically be ineligible for selection in the next year's IPL season. 

Such has been the case with Ben Stokes. As per the player registration list unveiled by the BCCI, there has been no mention of Stokes' name in that list which effectively keeps him out of action till 2027. 

What are these stringent measures introduced now by BCCI?

Traditionally, the BCCI offered a lot of flexibility to the overseas players to omit mega auctions and rather make inroads via mini auctions which would often result in hefty contracts. Stokes, in particular, benefitted the most from this practice. After skipping the 2022 IPL mega auction, Stokes made an entry in the 2023 IPL season and by doing so attracted a whopping contract worth Rs. 16.25 crore bid from the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the mini-auction.

But as the current situation stands, such leeway is now being taken away by the governing authority. This move has been put in place to discourage overseas players from entering the mini-auction at potentially higher bids. Moreover, the screws have been further tightened by the BCCI which will now hand a two-year ban to any player who withdraws after being picked up in the auction. These measures have been reinstated in a bid to foster consistency and dependability within the franchises.

What does the future hold for Stokes & Root? 

Both Stokes and Root will miss out on the upcoming IPL season and will continue to wait on the sidelines till the year 2027. Stokes has been a key asset in the IPL marketplace with his ongoing valuation expected to range between Rs 15-20 crore. Root, on the other hand, was picked for his base price of Rs. 1 crore at the 2023 IPL auction and played three matches for Rajasthan Royals, scoring 10 runs and bowling two overs without picking a wicket. The English duo will have to enter through a likely mini-auction format as per the current regulations.   

See also: WPL 2025 retention names revealed; T20 WC winner released

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the 16-member men’s Test squad for next month’s New Zealand tour. 

After the West Indies tour, where England will play a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series against the hosts, England will play a three-match Test series against the hosts New Zealand. It will be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. So, it will be an important series for both teams.

The Test series in New Zealand will begin on November 28 at Christchurch. Wellington and Hamilton will host the next two Tests, starting on December 6 and 14, respectively. 

Jacob Bethell earns Test call-up

The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell has earned the Test call-up as he is replacing Jamie Smith, who is unavailable for the selection due to paternity leave. Bethell recently made his ODI and T20I debuts at home during Australia tour of England last September. 

During the Cardiff T20I against Australia, Bethell played a crucial 44 off just 24 balls, which helped the hosts to successfully reach the 194-run target.

In his first two ODIs, Bethell produced some useful all-round performances. In the five ODIs, he scored 85 runs and took four wickets.    

Bethell has played 20 first-class matches

However, talking about his Test cricket call-up, the youngster Bethell has played 20 first-class matches, where the left-handed batter has scored 738 runs with an average of 25.44. He has scored five half-centuries and waiting for his maiden first-class hundred. As a left-arm spinner, he has taken seven first-class wickets. 

England Test squad for New Zealand tour

Ben Stokes (Captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes

English white-ball captain Jos Buttler’s frustrating recovery process continues as he is set to miss the ODI series in the West Indies tour, starting on October 31. 

The 34-year-old Jos Buttler hasn’t played a match since the semi-final defeat against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 last June. During his preparation ahead of the Hundred, he got a calf injury. 

Jos Buttler missed out on two home white-ball series

Due to the injury, Buttler missed the entire Hundred along with the home white-ball series against Australia, where they played three T20Is and five ODIs. 

After the ongoing three-match Test series against the hosts Pakistan, which is a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, England will travel to the West Indies for a three-match ODI series and five-match T20I series. 

The ODI series will begin on October 31. North Sound will host the first two ODIs, as the second ODI has been scheduled for November 2. Bridgetown will host the last ODI on November 6.

Bridgetown will also host the first two T20Is on November 10 and 11. Gros Islet will then host the last three fixtures of the T20I series on November 15, 17, and 18. 

ECB announced Buttler's replacement

Although Bullter was expected to be available for the complete West Indies tour, it is now revealed that the white-ball captain will miss the ODI series. In his rehabilitation, Buttler suffered a slight setback. Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Michael Pepper has replaced Jos Buttler in the ODI squad. 

However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that Buttler will be available for the T20I series in the West Indies. 

In the absence of Buttler, Phil Salt led the English team in the home T20I series against Australia, and Harry Brook was the English ODI captain against Australia. 

Liam Livingstone will lead the English ODI team in the upcoming West Indies tour. The ECB will add about two players for the West Indies tour after the team selection of the Rawalpindi Test, starting on October 24.

Hosts Pakistan suffered a horrible defeat against England in the Multan Test, which was played on a batting-friendly pitch. The cricket world is surprised by the ultimate result of the match, which the visitors England celebrated. 

After winning the toss in the three-match Test series opener, Pakistan scored 556 runs with the help of three centuries. Abdullah Shafique (102), Shan Masood (151), and Salman Agha (104*) scored centuries in that innings.

In reply, England scored the fourth-highest Test innings total of 823/7 (declare), majorly thanks to the record fourth-wicket partnership of 454 runs between Joe Root and Harry Brook. Root scored 262 runs, while Brook scored 317 runs. 

SEE ALSO: Harry Brook records second fastest triple century in Test

England won by an innings and 47 runs

Pakistan started their second innings by trailing 267 runs. The hosts were all out for only 220 runs, where Jack Leach (4/30) picked up four wickets. Among the Pakistan batters, only the lower-order batters Salman Agha (63) and Aamer Jamal (55*) reached the 30-run mark in the second innings.

England ultimately won the match by an innings and 47 runs and have taken the Test series lead by 1-0. 

Here are some shocking facts about the match. 

First time in Test cricket history

Pakistan became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring at least 500 runs in a Test innings. It also means that England became the first team to win a Test match by an innings after conceding 500 runs in an innings

Highest total in a losing cause

Pakistan's 556 all out became the joint fifth-highest total in a Test innings which ended in a losing cause. 

Highest totals in a losing cause

Highest aggregated total in a losing cause

Pakistan scored 556 and 220 runs in the Test match, which made their aggregated score of 776 runs in the Test match. Pakistan’s 776 runs became the joint seventh-highest aggregated Test score for a team that ended in a defeat.

Highest aggregated Test totals in a losing cause

Former England Test captain Joe Root is very happy with their dominant performances on the fourth day of the Multan Test against the hosts Pakistan. He praised the English bowlers' dominance in the fourth day's last session, which opened an incredible winning chance for them.

The ongoing Multan Test suddenly changed from England’s reply to Pakistan’s big first innings total of 556 to Joe Root and Harry Brook’s outstanding batting performances to open a good chance for the visitors to secure a historic win.

While England earned a strong 267-run lead after the end of their first innings, which experienced the fourth-highest total in Test cricket history (823/7 declare), Pakistan ended the fourth day with 152/6.

Mental disintegration

In fact, the hosts were struggling at 82/6 in the second innings, before a 70-run partnership for the unbroken seventh wicket between Salman Agha (41*) and Aamer Jamal (27*) helped Pakistan to bring some fight back in the Test match. 

English bowlers Gus Atkinson (2/28) and Brydon Carse (2/39) got two wickets each, while Chris Woakes (1/29) and Jack Leach (1/20) picked up one wicket each. 

Talking about the sudden change of the match scenario in the last session, Root told Sky Sports at the end of the day, "That last session there, the way that we bowled was fantastic. You've obviously got to play on the fact that they've been out there for long periods of time, the mental disintegration that you can sometimes go through when you've been waiting to bat for so long. It feels so flat, and then you see one scoot low first ball of the innings, and all of a sudden, it looks like a very different pitch, and a very different game."

English bowlers' success reason in the last session

English batters also played crucial roles in setting up the match for a result in favour of the visitors. Challenging Pakistan’s 556 runs, Joe Root and Harry Brook set a world record fourth wicket partnership in Test cricket history with 454 runs. 

While Root scored 262 runs off 375 balls, Brook scored 317 runs off 322 balls. England scored the fourth-highest Test innings total, 823/7 declaration, in just 150 overs with a run-rate of 5.48. Their batting helped England produce more than 100 overs for the second innings. 

Excited Root added, "It'd be a hell of an achievement [to win this Test]. We worked really hard to get into this position and, tonight, I thought that was equally as phenomenal as the way that we played with the bat. 

“You've got to try and play on that and understand that, as a bowling group, if you hit the right areas and you create those opportunities, then you could really cause some havoc. And for us to be here now six-down is brilliant going into the last day.”

SEE ALSO: Harry Brook records second fastest triple century in Test

We're going to create some opportunities tomorrow: Root

England are four wickets away from winning this Test match, while Pakistan are still trailing by 115 runs. Moreover, Abrar Ahmed’s hospitalization makes it more complicated only for Pakistan cricket. 

Root strongly believes that the English bowlers will create some opportunities on the final day to secure an unforgettable Test win. 

Root said, "To exploit the little that was there on offer for us, to get ahead of [the game] and get their bowling allrounders out there batting, is a great achievement for us. With another day's wear into the wicket, I'm sure we're going to create some opportunities tomorrow. If we can open the door early, things will hopefully fall in our favour, and we can enjoy what's been a really good week."

In the Multan Test, England cricketer Harry Brook fired up a triple century, which set a new record for the second fastest triple century in Test cricket history. 

Multan has brought a batting-friendly Test pitch for the first Pakistan vs England Test of the three-match Test series. Many experts have highly criticised the Test pitch.

After Pakistan scored 556 runs with the help of three centuries, England set up a strong reply. By scoring 823/7 declare in 150 overs, England have set up the Test match to produce a result. England declared their first innings with a lead of 267 runs. 

During England’s strong reply, former captain Joe Root scored 262 runs off 375 balls with the help of 17 fours. Meanwhile, Harry Brook scored 317 runs off 322 balls with the help of 29 fours and three sixes.

Second fastest Test 300

Brook completed his century in 310 balls. It was the second fastest Test triple century. The fastest record in this list is the triple hundred in 278 balls by Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag against South Africa at Chennai in March 2008. 

England batters

Brook became the sixth England batter to record a Test triple-century. However, after Wally Hammond and Andy Sandham, Brook became the third English cricketer to record a Test triple hundred outside the home country. 

England batters with triple centuries

ICC World Test Championship

Also, after the former Australian opener David Warner, Brook became the only second cricketer to record a triple century in the ICC World Test Championship history. During the 2019 Adelaide Test against Pakistan, Warner scored 335 not out.

So, Brook records the highest individual score by a foreign batter in the ICC World Test Championship history. In the same innings, while Root scored 262 runs, he stands in second place in the list of the highest individual score by a foreign batter in the ICC World Test Championship history. Root was also the previous record holder in this list with 228 against the hosts Sri Lanka during the 2021 Galle Test. 

Visiting batters in Pakistan

Brook also became the third overseas batter to score a Test triple-century in Pakistan. He now holds the record for the second-highest individual Test score by a visiting batter in Pakistan. 

Visiting batters with triple centuries in Pakistan

England limited-overs captain Jos Buttler has returned to the England squad for the upcoming limited-over tours in the West Indies. 

After the completion of the England tour of Pakistan for a three-match Test series, England will tour the West Indies for a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series. North Sound will host the first two ODIs on October 31 and November 2, while Bridgetown will host the last ODI of the series. 

Later, Bridgetown will host the first two T20Is on November 10 and 11. Gros Islet will host the last three T20Is on November 15, 17, and 18.  

SEE ALSO: Four months without pay; Pakistan's players await salaries ahead of World Cup

Jos Buttler is returning from an injury

The 34-year-old English cricketer Jos Buttler hasn’t played in professional cricket since England’s semi-final defeat against India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the United States last June. 

Before his match in the Hundreds, Buttler sustained a calf injury in the training session. Although he was expected to be fit before the recently concluded home white-ball series against Australia, his recovery took longer. 

Jafer Chohan created a history

The 22-year-old leg-spinner Jafer Chohan has earned his maiden national team call-up. He is the first from the South Asian Cricket Academy to be selected to an England men's squad.

All-rounder Dan Mousley and right-arm pacer John Turner are the other uncapped names in the 14-member white-ball squad for the upcoming West Indies tour. While both were selected in the recently concluded home white-ball series against Australia, Turner also previously toured in the West Indies last December.

Two more players will be named

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also confirmed that two more players from the Pakistan Test series squad will join in the white-ball series for the West Indies tour. These two names will be confirmed after the selection of the third Test team, which Rawalpindi will host from October 24.   

Before the West Indies tour, England will travel to Pakistan for a three-match Test series, which will also be a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship.   

Jos Buttler (Captain), Jofra Archer, Jacob Bethell, Jafer Chohan, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Livingstone, Saqib Mahmood, Dan Mousley, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Reece Topley, John Turner.

England's white-ball captain, Jos Buttler, has expressed his enthusiasm for working with Brendon McCullum as the newly appointed head coach across all formats. Buttler, known for his aggressive playing style, believes that his mentality aligns well with McCullum's, who has brought an innovative approach to England's Test team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced in September that McCullum would take charge of the white-ball sides, adding to his existing responsibilities as the Test team coach.

McCullum takes charge of white-ball cricket

In a significant shift for England cricket, McCullum, who has been head coach of the Test team since May 2022, was handed the responsibility for both the red-ball and white-ball formats, with his contract extended until the end of 2027. The transition will officially take place in January 2025, beginning with England’s white-ball tour of India, followed by the ICC Champions Trophy. McCullum’s success in revitalizing the Test side has made him a popular figure within the team, and his expanded role reflects the trust the ECB has placed in him to lead England across formats.

Until McCullum’s full-time appointment in 2025, Marcus Trescothick will serve as the Interim Head Coach for England’s upcoming white-ball series against Australia and the Caribbean tour later this year. McCullum’s extended role was strongly endorsed by former captain Eoin Morgan, and the shift comes after former white-ball coach Matthew Mott stepped down following England’s disappointing campaign at the T20 World Cup, where they failed to defend their title.

"I have a bit of a relationship with [Brendon McCullum] Baz but I'm looking forward to spending more time with him. I'm looking forward to digging into the cricket side of things. He will help me so much as a captain," Buttler said. 

"We're similar in the way we see the game but just getting to spend time with him and opening my eyes to certain things or the other way around. For me, I want this to be the most enjoyable part of my career. I've played for a decent amount of time now so maybe a shift in the goalposts of what you really want to achieve and for me that's helping guys become what they can be and building towards two big events later on," he further added.

Buttler’s confidence in McCullum’s leadership

Jos Buttler has welcomed the move, expressing excitement at the prospect of digging into McCullum’s cricketing mind. Known for his aggressive and fearless brand of cricket, Buttler sees McCullum’s philosophy as a perfect match for his own playing style. Speaking about the appointment, Buttler said, “Brendon brings an exciting, forward-thinking approach, and I am looking forward to working closely with him to take England’s white-ball cricket to new heights.”

McCullum also shared his excitement about the expanded role, noting that he is ready to embrace the challenge of managing both the Test and white-ball teams. "I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Test squad, and I’m excited to extend that energy to the white-ball sides," McCullum said. "Working with someone like Jos Buttler, who shares the same aggressive outlook on the game, will be an exciting journey."

See Also: India’s vice-captain Shubman Gill to miss Bangladesh T20 Series

As England gears up for a busy cricket calendar, Buttler and McCullum’s partnership is set to shape the future of England cricket in all formats, with high hopes of continued success and innovation under their leadership.