The visitors secured a 2-0 lead in the three-match series despite a defiant century from Blundell in New Zealand’s second innings.
An aggressive England beat New Zealand by 323 runs in the second Test in Wellington to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-match series after almost dominating the hosts from start to finish.
Joe Root reached his first hundred before England bowlers beat New Zealand for 259 in the final session of day three in Wellington on Sunday to win the series on New Zealand soil for the first time since 2008.
As with the eight-wicket defeat in Christchurch, New Zealand were outmatched for long periods but Tom Blundell showed some late resistance with a century as they fought valiantly in pursuit of an unexpected victory target of 583.
The wicketkeeper was dismissed for 115 as soon as tea, brilliantly caught by Ben Duckett who slipped off spinner Shoaib Bashir to trigger a collapse in the lower order.
Nathan Smith (42) and Matt Henry (4) both fell to Ben Stokes (3-5), before the England skipper removed Tim Southey (8), who was trapped in the deep end of the game.
Stokes said it was “amazing” to win the series in the sort of front-foot style that had become a trademark under his leadership.
He praised Harry Brook’s “braveness” in his knock of 123 on a thrilling first day in which New Zealand’s seamers seized the momentum after taking four early scalps.
“That wicket is what we call a snake pit. It was doing a lot of work, especially on the first day,” Stokes said at Basin Reserve.
“It was just amazing to see Brookie not only have the courage to back it up, but also have the skill to go out there and play like that,” he said.
As England secured a quick win, Root set the tone by scoring his 36th century on day three and being dismissed for 106 before declaring half an hour after the restart with England 427-6.
New Zealand, who had recently beaten India 3-0, responded by limping to 59-4 at lunch.
Their innings gained some respect in the middle session through the efforts of Blundell, Smith and Daryl Mitchell (32).
Despite his side’s plight, Blundell was ready to play his shot, collecting 13 fours and five sixes to reach his fifth century, ending his slim run of form.
Stokes, who lost 2-1 in Pakistan last time out, said he was always confident they would not need four days to achieve a runaway victory.
“Look, 580 is a lot of running, no matter where you are. “There will always be pressure on New Zealand to chase it down, especially on wickets,” he said.
New Zealand captain Latham said his side were “obviously hurt” by the two heavy losses but will be aiming to restore some pride in the third and final Test starting in Hamilton on December 14.
“We came here today hoping to have a good partnership but we had three or four losses,” Latham said. [wickets] Put us on the back foot early on.
“England put pressure on us and when they did that they succeeded in putting their foot on our neck.
“They are playing very good cricket now.”
