HAMILTON, New Zealand — On Tuesday, England’s cricket team faced a disappointing defeat against New Zealand, losing by 423 runs before tea during the fourth day of their third Test match. Captain Ben Stokes was unable to contribute with the bat due to a hamstring injury he sustained while bowling on the third day. England’s batting lineup faltered, finishing their innings at 234 as they chased an unattainable target of 658 runs for victory.
This defeat equaled New Zealand’s largest victory margin in Test cricket, matching their 423-run win against Sri Lanka in 2018. The outcome also prevented England from achieving a series whitewash, as they had already secured a 2-0 lead with wins by eight wickets and 323 runs in the first two Tests.
Reflecting on the match, Stokes expressed pride in his team’s energy and effort, particularly in the field. “You can’t fault any of the energies or efforts we put into this game,” he remarked. He acknowledged New Zealand’s strength and noted their recent success against India, emphasizing that the tour concluded on a less-than-ideal note despite their overall positive performance.
Starting their second innings at 18-2, England had lost both Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley on the third day after New Zealand, leading by 204 runs, had been bowled out for 453. Joe Root contributed a fighting 54 runs, and Jacob Bethell added 76 in a 104-run partnership for the third wicket, momentarily igniting hopes for a draw. However, true to their “Bazball” style characterized by aggressive play, England adopted an attacking mindset until their final wicket fell in the second session.
After the lunch break, Gus Atkinson provided a brief spark with a quick 43 runs from 41 balls, marked by seven boundaries and a six, while Ollie Pope chipped in with 17 runs. Despite their efforts, wickets tumbled consistently, leading to an inevitable conclusion.
New Zealand’s captain Tom Latham celebrated the victory, noting that finishing the series with a win after being behind was a pleasing outcome. He acknowledged that while their performance in the earlier matches wasn’t at their peak, the team adapted well to the conditions in the third Test, which was different from the first two.
Mitchell Santner’s contribution in New Zealand’s first innings was significant; batting at No. 8, he scored 76 runs and formed a vital partnership with Matt Henry, Tim Southee, and Will O’Rourke, adding 116 runs for three wickets. This effort helped the team reach a total of 347 runs after being sent in to bat first. Santner’s resilience, especially in a last-wicket stand with O’Rourke that lasted 77 minutes, marked a stark contrast to their performances in previous Tests.
Santner excelled with the ball as well, taking 3 wickets for just 7 runs, contributing to England’s collapse for 143 runs in the first innings. This match also marked Tim Southee’s 107th Test match, as he prepares for retirement from international cricket. With Trent Boult no longer under contract with New Zealand Cricket, it appears Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke will become the primary new-ball partnership moving forward, a pace attack set to be bolstered by Kyle Jamieson’s return from injury.
In New Zealand’s second innings, Kane Williamson scored an impressive 156, marking his 33rd Test century and fifth consecutive century in Hamilton. He received formidable support from Will Young and Daryl Mitchell, who both scored 60 runs, while Santner added 49 runs and claimed 4 wickets for 85 runs in the second innings.
Harry Brook was acknowledged as the Player of the Series for his critical innings in the first two matches, scoring 171 and 123 runs during times when England found themselves in trouble. Brook expressed his ongoing commitment to enjoying his cricket and striving for continuous improvement.