England fall to 423-run defeat as New Zealand wrap up consolation win as expected

Third Test, day four: NZ 347 and 453, England 143 & 234England’s tour ends with chastening defeat but 2-1 series winIt was a consolation win in terms of the series scoreline but a massive one all the same, New Zealand wrapping up the third Test against England by a margin of 423 runs on the fourth afternoon to send Tim Southee off into retirement with a smile.The coup de grâce came at 2.15pm local time when Mitch Santner completed what has been fine return to the side by getting Brydon Carse stumped. Ben Stokes, due for a scan on his hamstring injury, never pulled on the whites and thus England were bowled out for 234 chasing an absurd 658 to win – their fourth largest defeat in history by way of runs. Continue reading...