Image: New Zealand defeated England in the third Test, which saw the retirement of Tim Southee / © ESPNcricinfo
The third and final Test of the series between England and New Zealand ended with the hosts securing a resounding 423-run victory, marking England’s fourth-heaviest defeat by runs. Despite losing the series 2-1, New Zealand gave their stalwart Tim Southee a perfect farewell in Hamilton. Southee, who retired with 394 Test wickets, led his team off the field to thunderous applause after contributing 2/34 in his final match.
England resumed the fourth day at 18/2, with Joe Root (54) and Jacob Bethell building a 104-run partnership to stabilize their innings. However, Mitchell Santner turned the game decisively with his brilliant bowling, dismissing Root and sparking an England collapse. Santner claimed match figures of 7/92 while also scoring 76 in the first innings and 49 in the second, earning the Player of the Match award.
New Zealand’s dominance began by bowling England out for just 143 in the first innings, gaining a significant lead. The Kiwis followed up with a massive 453-run total in their second innings, leaving England with a daunting 658-run target. England folded for 234, highlighting their struggles against New Zealand’s bowling unit. The result capped off a memorable farewell for Southee, as New Zealand finished their World Test Championship campaign in fourth place.