Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Trying To Recall If This Is The Biggest Defeat I've Ever Seen England Undergo. (At least we won the series.)

New Zealand thump England in series finale.

England batter Harry Brook looks dejected as he walks off after being dismissedImage source,Getty Images
Image caption,

England won nine and lost eight of their 17 Tests this year

Third Test, Hamilton (day four of five)

New Zealand 347 (Santner 76; Potts 4-90) & 453 (Williamson 156, Young 60, Mitchell 60)

England 143 (Henry 4-48, Santner 3-7) & 234 (Bethell 76, Root 54; Santner 4-85)

New Zealand won by 423 runs; England won series 2-1

Scorecard

England's year ended with a thumping defeat by New Zealand, who sent seamer Tim Southee into retirement with a consolation victory in the third and final Test.

Set a fanciful 658, England were hustled out for 234 midway through the fourth afternoon to lose by 423 runs, their largest defeat by the Black Caps in terms of runs and fourth-largest by anyone.

Jacob Bethell further enhanced his growing reputation with 76, coming through an electrifying spell by New Zealand pace bowler Will O'Rourke.

Bethell added 104 with Joe Root, who made 54. When Root was out, Harry Brook perished to O'Rourke for one and wickets fell with regularity in Hamilton.

The nadir was vice-captain Ollie Pope being bowled for 17 attempting a reverse scoop at Matt Henry.

Captain Ben Stokes, who suffered a recurrence of a left-hamstring injury on day three, did not bat. He had been expected to have a scan prior to the fourth day but will instead be assessed on Wednesday.

England's final demise, with their last four wickets falling for 19 runs, meant Southee was not required to bowl after lunch.

He instead led his team from the field, the 36-year-old ending a 16-year, 107-Test career with 391 wickets.

England still win the series 2-1. They embark on a white-ball programme after Christmas before the Test summer begins against Zimbabwe in May.

Trying To Recall If This Is The Biggest Defeat I've Ever Seen England Undergo. (At least we won the series.)

New Zealand thump England in series finale. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, England won nine and lost eight of their 17 Tests this...