New Zealand thump England in Test series finale

FE Team | Published: December 17, 2024 21:40:52

HAMILTON, New Zealand, Dec 17 (AFP): New Zealand tore through England's batting Tuesday to crush the visitors by 423 runs in the third Test and send Tim Southee into retirement on a triumphant note.
It was New Zealand's equal-highest victory by runs and a complete reversal from the first two Tests, which England won easily to clinch the three-match series.
The hosts sealed a dominant performance in Hamilton by claiming seven wickets in 41.2 overs on day four as England crumbled for 234.
Playing on his home ground at Seddon Park, seamer Southee finished with 2-34 in his 107th and final Test, ending the career of one of New Zealand's finest players.
He finishes with 391 Test wickets, second only to Richard Hadlee among New Zealanders.
"I want to thank New Zealand Cricket for everything you have done. My family, who are there for the ride and see the ups and downs," he said.
"And my team-mates -- these guys have made the ride so much more enjoyable, I have loved every minute.
"And finally the fans. It is always great to turn out in front of numbers. This week has been pretty special to play at Seddon Park in front of a great crowd."
New Zealand only needed to take nine second-innings wickets for an emphatic victory because England skipper Ben Stokes did not bat.
Stokes suffered a hamstring injury on Monday and limped off in distress, having torn the hamstring in the same left leg just a few months ago. The scale of the latest injury has not been revealed but that, and the way England capitulated in Hamilton, ended their series on a sour note. Stokes said England were "completely outplayed".
"The first two games of the series, our skill completely outdid New Zealand's skill. This game was basically a flip around of that," said Stokes.
"It's severely disappointing as a team because we obviously want to win every game we go out and play.
"We're just disappointed that we were nowhere near our best." After resuming at 18-2, England never threatened their enormous target of 658, their hopes dwindling further when losing Jacob Bethell for 76, Joe Root for 54 and Harry Brook for just one before lunch.