England achieved a historic milestone on December 7, 2024, becoming the first cricket team to surpass 500,000 runs in Test cricket. This remarkable feat, accomplished during the second Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, underscores England’s illustrious legacy in the longest format of the game.
The milestone moment came when Harry Brook’s double off New Zealand pacer William O’Rourke pushed England’s cumulative Test runs past the 500,000 mark. At the close of Day 2, England had scored 378 for 5, bringing their overall tally to 500,126 runs in 1,082 matches over 147 years, featuring contributions from 717 players across 18,900 innings.
England continued their dominance in the series by securing a comprehensive 323-run victory over New Zealand, marking their first Test series win on New Zealand soil since 2007-08. With this win, they also took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The victory was set up by a commanding batting performance. England, after dismissing New Zealand for a paltry 125 runs in the first innings, declared their second innings at 427 for 6, setting the hosts a daunting target of 583 runs. Key contributors included Joe Root (106), Jacob Bethell (96), and Ben Duckett (92). Root’s innings also marked his 100th Test fifty, placing him among legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting.
Despite the massive target, New Zealand’s Tom Blundell delivered a valiant counterattack, scoring a resilient 115 runs. Blundell found support from Nathan Smith (42) in a 96-run partnership, but the hosts’ batting lineup crumbled under relentless pressure from England’s bowlers.
Shoaib Bashir dismissed Blundell with a sharp slip catch taken by Ben Duckett, ending New Zealand’s hopes of a miraculous chase. England’s bowlers, including Chris Woakes (2-33), Brydon Carse (2-46), and skipper Ben Stokes (3-5), ensured New Zealand was bowled out for 259 runs, sealing the emphatic victory.