New Zealand vs England: Ben Stokes' side crushed by 423 runs in third and final Test after stuttered performance

17 December 2024, 05:00 | Updated: 17 December 2024, 10:23

England were thrashed by 423 runs on day four of the third and final Test with New Zealand securing a consolation victory after losing the series 2-1 in Hamilton on Tuesday.

Set a mammoth 658 for victory, the tourists were dismissed for 234, handing New Zealand their largest margin of victory against England in terms of runs in Tests, with Mitchell Santner (4-85) taking a four-fer.

England captain Ben Stokes, who suffered a left-hamstring injury on day three, opted not to bat, meaning New Zealand's task was made slightly easier, needing only seven wickets for a victory.

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In an otherwise damning defeat, England youngster Jacob Bethell, 21, continued to shine, top-scoring with 76 off 96 balls, whilst Joe Root (54) and Surrey quick Gus Atkinson (43) also added resistance.

However, their efforts were in vain as New Zealand took the final four wickets for just 19 runs, with retiring Tim Southee (2-34) ending his Test career with a couple, including the prized scalp of Bethell alongside Matt Henry's 2-62 and Will O'Rourke's 1-37.

Southee, who made his debut against England in 2008, led his team off the field, ending his Test career with 391 wickets and 98 sixes.

England's 2-1 series victory was dampened by the heavy defeat but Ben Stokes' side now have five months to reset before their next Test against Zimbabwe in May.

Bethell stars in otherwise dismal day

England started their chase positively with Bethell and Root sharing 104 runs for the third wicket, with the latter being dropped at second slip by skipper Tom Latham on 40, denying Southee an extra in his final outing.

The pair shared 23 boundaries and brought up England's 100, receiving polite applause from the crowd at Seddon Park after managing to survive a lethal spell from O'Rourke, who clocked 93mph.

Bethell notched his third 50 in as many Tests with a single guided behind square off Santner to continue giving England some hope.

Santner trapped Root leg-before, a decision that was overturned on review, for New Zealand's first breakthrough.

Harry Brook's (1) outing was short-lived after he was caught in the slip cordon by Daryl Mitchell when edging O'Rourke, leaving England 133-4.

Bethell continued to chip away but Southee, in the attack for the first time on day four, made an immediate impact, catching the outside edge which Glenn Phillips pouched at deep backward point.

Atkinson and Ollie Pope (17) brought up England's 200 just after lunch in their 49-run stand, but England's vice-captain was bowled by Henry trying to reverse-ramp, with the New Zealand quick sealing his 15th scalp of the series.

Santner then took two wickets in three balls, having Atkinson caught at deep cover and Matthew Potts at long-off for a two-ball duck as England slipped to 231-8.

Brydon Carse danced down the wicket but missed Santner's delivery and was stumped by Tom Blundell, leaving Shoaib Bashir (2 not out) stranded as New Zealand wrapped up a thunderous win.