Nottingham, June 29, 2026: New Zealand sealed a memorable 2-1 Test series victory over England with a commanding 160-run win in the third and final Test at Trent Bridge on Monday, spoiling Ben Stokes’ farewell appearance in international cricket.
The victory marked New Zealand’s fourth Test series triumph in England and only their second after recovering from a 1-0 deficit, the first having come in 1999. It also handed England their first home Test series defeat in a three-match or longer series since 2012 and their seventh loss in their last nine Tests.
The match was overshadowed by Stokes’ surprise announcement on Sunday that he was retiring from international cricket at the age of 35, citing burnout after four years as England captain.
“It would have been great to go out with a series win, that’s in a perfect world,” Stokes told the BBC after the match. “But I’m very happy with what I’ve managed to achieve as a player and a captain.”
Stokes, who said he would continue playing county cricket for Durham, made a typically aggressive start to England’s chase of 373, scoring 30 off just 20 balls, including two sixes, before holing out.
England resumed the final day on 103-4 but quickly slipped into deeper trouble at 116-6 after Nathan Smith dismissed Emilio Gay for 10 and Joe Root was brilliantly run out for 18 by a direct hit from Henry Nicholls.
Jamie Smith fought back with a determined 60, sharing a 75-run partnership with Gus Atkinson (19), but New Zealand maintained control. Josh Tongue was run out by another direct hit, this time from Mitchell Santner, before Jamie Smith was caught in the deep by Nathan Smith to end England’s resistance.
New Zealand’s disciplined bowling effort came despite suffering another injury setback when paceman Will O’Rourke left the field with a hamstring injury just 35 minutes into Monday’s play.
Player of the Match Daryl Mitchell, who scored a gritty unbeaten century in the second innings despite repeatedly being struck by England’s fast bowlers, said the victory reflected the team’s determination.
“This is very special for our group. We came over with the goal of winning the series. It’s really cool,” Mitchell said.
He also praised his side’s fielding, with two crucial run-outs helping seal the win.
Captain Tom Latham laid the foundation for victory with a superb 151 in New Zealand’s first innings, while Devon Conway contributed 157 as the pair shared a commanding opening partnership of 317 in the visitors’ total of 438.
The Black Caps’ achievement was even more impressive given their depleted bowling attack. They entered the match without injured paceman Matt Henry and rested fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, while Blair Tickner was ruled out with concussion after being struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer while batting.
Concussion substitute Zak Foulkes stepped in impressively, claiming six wickets across the match to play a key role in New Zealand’s series-clinching victory.
