The three-match Test series between New Zealand and England came to an end on Tuesday, December 17, as the Kiwis registered a mammoth 423-run win, their joint-biggest in terms of runs in the longest format of the game. New Zealand gave a fitting farewell to the legendary Tim Southee, whose international career came to an end with the result.
England started Day 4 of the third Test at 18/2 as they lost their openers on the previous day. Overnight batters Jacob Bethell and Joe Root combined to form an enterprising 104-run partnership off just 125 balls, much to the delight of the English fans at home and in the stands. The former England captain eventually departed for a brisk 54 off 64 balls as he was out LBW to Mitchell Santner. Harry Brook followed up his golden duck in the first innings by getting out for one in the second.
Bethell departed for 76 after facing 96 deliveries, belting 13 fours and a solitary six. He became Southee’s only victim on Day 4. New Zealand made light work of England’s lower order after Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson added 49 runs off 51 balls for the sixth wicket. The last five English wickets fell for just 19 runs as New Zealand won the match comprehensively. The Three Lions were dismissed for 234 in the fourth innings but won the three-match series by a 2-1 margin.
Santner was the pick of the bowlers for the Blackcaps as he finished with figures of 4/85 from 14.2 overs. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Southee bagged two wickets apiece. The talented William O’Rourke accounted for the wicket of Brook, who won the Player of the Series award for his sensational performances across the three games. Santner, on the other hand, won the Player of the Match award as he scored 76 and 49 with the bat and also picked up seven wickets with the ball.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to New Zealand’s thumping Hamilton win:
Well played England who take the #NZvENG series 2-1.
Well played the Kiwis in Hamilton. They won every session bar one by my reckoning to take the third Test by a whopping 424 runs.
— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) December 17, 2024
Nz Win by 423 runs.Southee finishes with a Win.
Southee is the highest wicket taker for NZ in all international cricket, with 770 wickets. He is also the only player in the world to take more than 300 in Test, 200 in ODI and 100 T20I wickets. #NZvENG #NZvsENG #TimSouthee pic.twitter.com/v8lbLMc3jI
— Gurjinder Bal (@Gurjind56659796) December 17, 2024
Largest margins of defeat by runs for England:
562 v Aus – The Oval 1934
434 v Ind – Rajkot 2024
425 v WI – Old Trafford 1976
423 v NZ – Hamilton 2024
409 v Aus – Lord’s 1948
405 v Aus – Lord’s 2015
384 v Aus – Brisbane 2002
382 v Aus – Adelaide 1895#NZvEng
— Arthur_S (@allanholloway) December 17, 2024
New Zealand won by a huge margin of 423 Runs.
England bowled out for 234
Ben Stokes didn’t come to Bat as a precautionary measure. @MichaelVaughan Hope you’re ok!#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/HjbJiqs0lR
— Digital Hunt 247 (@digitalhunt247) December 17, 2024
So on a fairly good pitch, England batted for just over 80 overs in this game. That’s a pretty poor effort #NZvENG
— Nick Baker (@nickbakernz) December 17, 2024
Have a stump, mate #NZvENG pic.twitter.com/K6U3WUYyx8
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) December 17, 2024
🫡#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/flUMYA2rem
— Deep Longstop 🐶 🏏 (@deeplongstop) December 17, 2024
Started watching test cricket since his debut but never thought he would be the legend in this area.
THANK YOU LEGEND TIM SOUTHEE #NZvENG #TestCricket #Retire #NewZealand #Cricket pic.twitter.com/Zt0tK6zOmz
— Yugal (@iamYugal18) December 17, 2024
From England winning by 323 runs to England losing by 423 runs.
If you love Bazball You must be ready for these extreme results #ENGvsNZ #NZvENG
— RAHUL AGRAWAL (@RAHUL2494) December 17, 2024
New Zealand’s biggest margin of victory in Test Cricket (by runs):
423 vs Sri Lanka @ Christchurch, 2018
423 vs England @ Hamilton, 2024*#NZvENG #NZvsENG
— sudharshan sridharan (@sudharshansrid1) December 17, 2024
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