New Zealand secured a resounding 423-run victory over England on the fourth day of the third Test in Hamilton on Tuesday, earning a consolation win and ensuring Tim Southee ended his career on a high note.
England, having already clinched the series with wins in the first two Tests, collapsed to 234 all out after lunch in an improbable chase of 658 runs for a series sweep. Captain Ben Stokes, nursing a left hamstring injury sustained on Monday, did not bat in England’s second innings, hastening the inevitable conclusion.
The match ended swiftly, with England losing their final three wickets in the space of 12 deliveries for just three additional runs.
Mitchell Santner, who took 4-85, was named Player of the Match after dismantling the England tail to hand New Zealand their largest-ever victory by runs and subject the visitors to their fourth-heaviest defeat by the same margin.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance: “It’s obviously pleasing to finish in that fashion. We knew we weren’t at our best in the first couple of games, but the way we adapted to the surface here was very pleasing.”
Southee, who did not add to his impressive tally of sixes from Monday, ended his career with 98 sixes and two final wickets, finishing with 391 Test wickets—the second-highest by a New Zealander, behind Richard Hadlee. Latham paid tribute to Southee, stating: “We’re certainly leaving one of the greats behind, but I’m sure he’s got a bright future ahead of him, whatever that may be.”
Despite the heavy defeat, England found some positives, including their historic series win, marking the first time an England side had triumphed in New Zealand since 2008. Jacob Bethell continued his strong start to Test cricket, scoring his third half-century of the series with 76 runs before becoming Southee’s final Test victim.
Joe Root also impressed, reaching his 65th Test half-century before falling to Santner for 54, while Harry Brook, pivotal in England’s wins in Christchurch and Wellington, struggled and was dismissed for just one run after facing six deliveries. Will O’Rourke, a standout performer for New Zealand, removed Brook with a rising delivery that showcased his growing reputation.
Gus Atkinson provided some resistance with a quickfire 43 off 41 balls, including seven fours and a six, but his dismissal — caught in the deep by Glenn Phillips — signalled the end for England.
Reflecting on the defeat, Stokes acknowledged the disappointment but emphasised the significance of the earlier victories: “We want to come out and win every game that we play. It’s obviously disappointing to finish like we have, but the first two Test matches are where it really counted for us, and that’s where we played our best cricket.”
