New Zealand vs England 2024 Test series: Basin Reserve, Wellington pitch history and Test records
Basin Reserve will host the second Test of the New Zealand vs England series, starting tomorrow morning (December 6). England have a golden opportunity to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The visitors won the first Test at Hagley Oval by eight wickets. New Zealand will aim to level the series in Wellington over the next five days. The conditions in Wellington will be a bit similar to Christchurch, with fast bowlers and batters expected to rule the roost.
Here's a quick look at the pitch history and Test records of Basin Reserve before the second match starts.
Basin Reserve, Wellington Test records
68 Test matches have been played in Wellington so far. Touring teams have won 21 Tests, while 23 matches have ended in home team New Zealand's favor. The other 24 Tests ended in a draw.
Here are some other crucial numbers to know from the 68 Tests hosted by Wellington:
Test matches played: 68
Won by teams batting first: 15
Won by teams batting second: 29
Drawn: 24
Highest individual score: 302 - Brendon McCullum (NZ) vs India, 2014
Best bowling figures (innings): 7/23 - Richard Hadlee (NZ) vs India, 1976
Best bowling figures (match): 13/55 - Courtney Walsh (WI) vs New Zealand, 1995
Highest team total: 680/8 dec - New Zealand vs India, 2014
Lowest team total: 42 - New Zealand vs Australia, 1946
Highest successful run-chase: 277/3 - Pakistan vs New Zealand, 2003
Average first-innings score: 314
NZ vs ENG head-to-head in Wellington: Players - 12, Won by NZ - 2, Won by ENG - 4, Drawn - 6.
Basin Reserve, Wellington pitch report
The Basin Reserve pitch report for the second Test between New Zealand and England will be telecast live before the coin toss takes place. Fast bowlers and batters have dominated the proceedings in Test matches at this venue.
The average first-innings score on this ground has been 314, but teams batting first have won only 15 Tests. Looking at the Test records of this venue, the captain winning the toss will likely prefer to bowl first.
Basin Reserve, Wellington last Test match
Australia beat New Zealand by 172 runs in the last Test match hosted by Wellington earlier this year. Cameron Green's unbeaten 174 powered the visitors to a mammoth 383 in the first innings. In reply, New Zealand scored only 179.
New Zealand bowled Australia out for just 164 in the second innings, but the Blackcaps could manage 196 in their second innings while chasing a 369-run target.
Here's a summary of the game:
Brief scores: Australia 383 (Cameron Green 174*, Matt Henry 5/70) & 164 (Nathan Lyon 41, Glenn Phillips 5/45) beat New Zealand 179 (Glenn Phillips 71, Nathan Lyon 4/43) & 196 (Rachin Ravindra 59, Nathan Lyon 6/65) by 172 runs.