England suffer huge 423-run defeat against New Zealand in the third Test in Hamilton as Jacob Bethell top-scores with 76… but Ben Stokes’ side win the series 2-1
England ended their long year on a low as they slumped to a a crushing 423-run defeat in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park – with Ben Stokes choosing not to bat as he nursed his sore hamstring.
Half-centuries from Joe Root and Jacob Bethell – his third of a promising debut series – held the hosts up on the fourth morning after England resumed on 18 for two. But a target of 658 meant defeat was a matter of when, not if.
The result provided at least some consolation for New Zealand, whose defeats at Christchurch and Wellington meant they had lost a home series to England for the first time in 16 years.
And it condemned Stokes’s team to their fourth defeat in the final match of a Test series in 2024 – a mixed year in which they have won three series out of five, and nine games out of 17.
The day began with the news that Stokes would wait until the end of the game before undergoing a scan on his left hamstring, having hobbled off on the third afternoon.
In his absence, England fought hard for the first hour and a half, only to fold after lunch, with their last four falling for 19. It was their fourth-heaviest defeat by runs in their history.
Jacob Bethell top-scored for England with 76 as they were heavily beaten in the third Test
Ollie Pope was out attempting a reverse scoop as England’s batting collapsed once again
Batting had looked straightforward for Bethell and Root, despite a bad drop by Tom Latham at second slip when Root, on 19, edged Tim Southee.
Both batsmen brought up half-centuries – Bethell from 62 balls, Root from 59 – before Root missed a sweep against the left-arm spin of Mitchell Santner, and was lbw on review for 54. He finishes his Test year with 1,556 runs – more than anyone else in the world.
Not for the first time in the game, the New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke revved himself up against Harry Brook. In the first innings, he had bowled him for a golden duck. Now, touching 95mph, he had him caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell for a single, and celebrated with justified gusto.
Bethell seemed set for a maiden hundred after seeing off O’Rourke, only to launch the first ball of a new spell from Southee into the hands of Glenn Phillips at deep backward square, and trudge off for 76. It was a disappointing end to another innings of promise, but his success on this trip has presented England with a tricky decision to make when they resume Test cricket, against Zimbabwe in May.
For Southee, it would be the 391st and last of his long and garlanded Test career. He has limped over the line in the past few weeks, but has signed off with a victory on his home ground – a moment not afforded to many.
Harry Brook was out for a golden duck to the bowling of Will O’Rourke
England captain Ben Stokes did not come out to bat following his hamstring injury
New Zealand seamer Tim Southee leads his team from the field in his final Test match
Gus Atkinson landed a few blows to reach 43 in the afternoon sunshine, but Ollie Pope lost his off stump trying to ramp Matt Henry – one of the worst shots of England’s year – and the tail succumbed to Santner.
England were all out for 234, but the game had been lost on the second afternoon, when O’Rourke was too menacing for the cream of their middle order, and Stokes’s team staggered to 143 all out.
Now, as they prepare to fly home for Christmas, they await news of their captain’s fitness.
It has been an up-and-down year for the Test team, with the occasional meltdown off set by the rejuvenation of crucial parts of the team. But with five-match series to come against India and Australia, 2025 will be the year that defines them.
