Left Arm Around

England suffered a shocking 423-run defeat to New Zealand on day four of the Third Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton, despite classy fifties from both Jacob Bethell and Joe Root.

However, England clinched the series 2-1 to secure the inaugural Crowe-Thorpe trophy.

This was New Zealand’s joint-largest victory in their 94-year Test history, having also beaten Sri Lanka by the same margin at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch (2018).

Veteran pacer and Kiwi skipper Tim Southee bowed out of international cricket on a high at his home ground, claiming the key wickets of Ben Duckett and Bethell.

Although defeat was almost certain for the tourists after being set 658 for victory, England were seeming to restore some pride as Bethell and Root built a counter-attacking partnership of 104 at the start of the day.

Root was fortunate to be given a life by Tom Latham on 19 as he progressed onto fifty, but his dismissal to Mitchell Santner for 54 signalled the beginning of the end with the final eight wickets falling for only 102 runs.

Bethell’s 76 was also a highlight as he continued his fine start to international cricket with his third half-century in as many Tests, while Gus Atkinson blasted a 41-ball 43 as England finished 234 all-out.

England skipper Ben Stokes was unable to bat for his side after sustaining a recurrence of a serious hamstring injury on day three.

Mitchell Santner was the pick of the bowlers with 4-85, removing the final three batters to fall.

Seamer Will O’Rourke (1-37) was incredibly impressive in a hostile spell of fast bowling, claiming the key wicket of Yorkshire’s Harry Brook for 1 when he fended a simple chance to Daryl Mitchell at first slip.

The Canterbury pacer sustained speeds upwards of 90 MPH to visibly trouble the likes of Root and Brook, players who have tormented the Black Caps in recent history.

His game-changing spell of three wickets in eight balls in England’s first innings, removing Bethell, Brook and Root, arguably changed the course of the Test with the hosts managing a substantial 204-run lead on the first innings.

The Black Caps will be ecstatic to have avoided a humbling series whitewash on home turf, though they will remain disappointed by a lacklustre series performance that follows their remarkable triumph in India only last month.

More positively, they will be boosted by the form of Kane Williamson after he reached his 33rd Test century.

His fine knock of 156 from 204 balls featured 20 fours and one six.

What’s Next?

England’s Test side play again in May 2025, facing Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Trent Bridge. This precedes a five-Test series against India before they travel down under for the Ashes.

The Three Lions will have to mull over a huge selection dilemma given the rise of Jacob Bethell and horrid form of Zak Crawley. Surrey keeper Jamie Smith is destined to return after missing the New Zealand tour.

New Zealand now face a busy schedule of limited-overs action before the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.