NZ Crush Eng to Seal Record Victory in 3rd test as Southee Bids Farewell, Eng win series 2-1

 

England, having already secured the series by winning the first two Tests, collapsed to 234 all out after lunch in an improbable pursuit of 658 runs, missing the opportunity to sweep the series.

Captain Ben Stokes, nursing a left hamstring injury sustained on Monday, opted not to bat in England's second innings, hastening the match's conclusion.

The final moments unfolded rapidly, as England—who had shown resolve before the lunch break—lost their last three wickets in the space of 12 deliveries, adding just three runs.

Mitchell Santner, with figures of 4-85, earned the Player of the Match award after tearing through England's lower order. The result marked New Zealand's largest-ever victory by runs and dealt England their fourth-heaviest defeat by runs in Test cricket history.

Tim Southee, who announced his retirement from Test cricket after this match, did not add to his impressive tally of sixes—finishing with 98—but still claimed two wickets in his final innings. He concluded his stellar career with 391 Test wickets, second only to Sir Richard Hadlee among New Zealanders.

Despite the heavy defeat, there were positives for England to take away, particularly their historic achievement of winning a Test series in New Zealand for the first time since 2008.

Jacob Bethell continued his strong introduction to Test cricket, notching up his third half-century of the series before falling for 76—fittingly Southee's final Test scalp. Joe Root also impressed, reaching his 65th Test half-century before being dismissed for 54 by Santner. However, Harry Brook, instrumental in England's victories in Christchurch and Wellington, failed to replicate his form, scoring just one run off six deliveries before being caught in the slips off a rising Will O'Rourke delivery, a hallmark of the young bowler's developing repertoire.

Gus Atkinson provided some late resistance, smashing 43 off 41 balls with seven boundaries and a six, but his attempt to counterattack ended with a miscue to Glenn Phillips at deep cover. Once Atkinson fell, the innings unraveled quickly, bringing a swift end to England's fightback.