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 note as they slumped to a crushing 423-run defeat in the third and final Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park – with Ben Stokes opting not to bat as he nursed his sore hamstring.

A half-century after Joe Root and Jacob Bethell – his third of a promising debut series – kept the hosts afloat on the fourth morning after England had resumed at 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 in Christchurch and Wellington meant they had lost a home series to England for the first time in 16 years.

And it condemned Stokes’ team to their fourth defeat in the final match of a Test series in 2024 – a mixed year in which they have won three of five series and nine of 17 matches.

The day started with the news that Stokes would wait until the end of the match before undergoing a scan of his left hamstring after hobbling off on the third afternoon.

In his absence, England fought hard for the first hour and a half but were forced to fold after lunch, with the last four falling to 19. It was their fourth heaviest defeat by points in their history.

Ollie Pope attempted a reverse first as England’s batting collapsed again

The batting looked easy for Bethell and Root despite a poor drop from Tom Latham at second slip as Root, on 19, beat Tim Southee.

Both batsmen brought up half-centuries – Bethell from 62 balls, Root from 59 – before Root missed a sweep against Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin, and was judged lbw for 54. He ends his Test year with 1,556 runs – more than anyone else in the world world.

Not for the first time in the match, New Zealand fast bowler Will O’Rourke turned up against Harry Brook. He had bowled him for a golden duck in the first innings. Now reaching a speed of 95mph, he had him caught at first slip by Daryl Mitchell for a single, and he celebrated with justified enthusiasm.

Bethell looked set for a maiden hundred after beating O’Rourke, but then launched the first ball of another Southee spell into the hands of Glenn Phillips at deep backward square, and trudged away for 76. It was a disappointing end from one more time. promising innings, but his success on this trip has left England with a tough 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 decorated Test career. He stumbled over the finish line in recent weeks, but signed off with a victory on home turf – a moment that many did not wish.

Harry Brook was after a golden duck at Will O’Rourke’s bowling alley

England captain Ben Stokes did not play due to his hamstring injury

New Zealand seamer Tim Southee leads his team from the field in his final Test match

Gus Atkinson landed a few strokes to reach 43 in the afternoon sun, but Ollie Pope lost his stump trying to drive up Matt Henry – one of the worst shots of the English year – and the tail succumbed to Santner.

England were all out for 234, but the match was lost on the second afternoon, when O’Rourke was too menacing for the top of their middle order, and Stokes’ team staggered to 143 all out.

As they prepare to fly home for Christmas, they await news of their captain’s condition.

It has been an up and down year for the Test team, with the occasional slump offset by the rejuvenation of crucial parts of the team. But with five-match series against India and Australia, 2025 will be the year that defines them.