England captain Ben Stokes said he had no regrets about enforcing the follow-on after New Zealand defied history to claim a thrilling one-run win in the second Test in Wellington.

After the hosts were bowled out for 209 in reply to England’s first-innings total of 435 for eight declared, Stokes sent the Black Caps in to bat again at the Basin Reserve on Day III.

New Zealand put 483 on the board against a tiring English attack on a pitch that proved resilient, setting a target of 258 for victory that England all but chased down on a thrilling fifth day on Tuesday.

“Imagine captaining in hindsight?” said Stokes, when asked about the follow-on. “That’s nothing that I would ever do.

“It was always our game to lose once we enforced the follow-on.

“But the logic behind it was that our opening bowlers have ripped through their top-order for three innings in a row.

“We knew that New Zealand had to pretty much play the perfect game to put us in a situation like this.”

New Zealand became only the fourth team to win a Test after being asked to follow on, leaving the series drawn 1-1.

Captain Stokes said England were disappointed with the outcome. “Going down to the last day, being in the situation of that last half an hour... it’s everything you wish for,” he said.