New Zealand delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday, defeating England by an emphatic 423 runs on the fourth day of the third test in Hamilton. This victory served as a consolation win for the hosts and marked a fitting farewell for Tim Southee, who played his final test match.
Although England had already secured the series by winning the first two matches, their quest for a clean sweep ended in disappointment as they crumbled to 234 all out in pursuit of an improbable target of 658 runs. England captain Ben Stokes, nursing a left hamstring injury sustained on Monday, did not bat in the second innings, hastening the team’s collapse.
England’s Collapse
England showed some resolve before lunch but quickly unraveled afterward, losing their final three wickets in just 12 deliveries, adding only three runs. Notable contributions came from Jacob Bethell, who scored a well-crafted 76, and Joe Root, who managed 54 before falling to Mitchell Santner, who tore through England’s batting lineup with figures of 4-85. Santner’s brilliance earned him the Player of the Match title and helped New Zealand secure their largest victory by runs in test cricket history.
Rising star Will O’Rourke was instrumental in dismissing England’s key batter Harry Brook, who could only manage 1 run off 6 balls. Brook, the Player of the Series, had been pivotal in England’s earlier wins but faltered in Hamilton. Meanwhile, Gus Atkinson put up a valiant effort with a quick-fire 43 off 41 balls, but his dismissal signaled the inevitable end.
Southee’s Farewell
In his final test, Tim Southee added two more wickets to his remarkable career tally, finishing with 391 test dismissals, the second-highest for a New Zealander after Sir Richard Hadlee. Though he fell short of reaching 100 career sixes, Southee’s contributions with both ball and bat were celebrated.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham praised the team’s adaptability, saying, “We knew we weren’t at our best in the first two games, but this performance was a statement.” He also paid tribute to Southee, adding, “We’re leaving one of the greats behind, but his future is bright.”
England’s Mixed Fortunes
Despite the crushing defeat, England found positives in Jacob Bethell’s third half-century of the series and Joe Root’s consistent form. Stokes acknowledged the loss, stating, “It’s disappointing to finish this way, but the first two tests are where it counted, and we played our best cricket there.”
With this victory, New Zealand ends the series on a high note, showcasing their resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.