New Zealand (Commonwealth) _With a 423-run victory over England in the third Test on the fourth afternoon, New Zealand sent Tim Southee into retirement with a grin on his face, although a consolation victory with the series result.
When Mitch Santner got Brydon Carse stumped at 2:15 p.m. local time, he completed what had been a successful comeback to the side. Ben Stokes, requiring a scan for a hamstring issue, never donned the whites, resulting in England’s bowling out for 234 while chasing an unreachable 658. In terms of runs, it was their fourth-biggest loss ever.
The day began in glorious sunshine, with England on 18 for two after a 24-hour slow-cook. Jacob Bethell had an extremely positive start to his career as a Test cricket player, scoring 76 runs from the first drop in the morning. Additionally, Joe Root scored 50 runs, culminating in a total of 1,556 test runs in 2024.
However, once Will Rourke defeated them on the second day and Kane Williamson piled on the runs on the third, the challenge remained overwhelming. Despite a slight bruise on their way to the departure lounge, England leaves the country with a 2-1 series victory, marking their third series victory out of five in 2024.
Southee, who leaves with 391 Test wickets, second only to Sir Richard Hadlee, who was there that day, congratulated England on winning the series. As usual, he played with a terrific spirit. Over the years, I’ve had a fantastic time playing against them.”I want to give certain people credit.
First of all, New Zealand cricket for the past 17 years. My parents, [wife] Brya, and the children are the ones who accompany you on your journey and witness your highs and lows. I am grateful for all that they have done for me.Like all the other people I’ve played with, this crew made the journey a lot more fun. I’ve enjoyed every second. I want to salute the fans one last time. Turning up in front of a crowd is usually a thrill, but this week has been especially memorable.
Seven wickets and 125 runs over four days made Santner the player of the match, but O’Rourke may have had the biggest impact on the host. He smothered Harry Brook’s scorching form in both innings and was the driving force behind England’s 143 all out. A unique talent surfaced as Southee’s career came to an end.
O’Rourke’s switch to the City End during the morning period marked a significant turning point in a predetermined day. The statistics, which included eight overs, four maidens, and one for 25, fail to adequately convey the astonishment and fear he evoked.
Even though the only thing that defied O’Rourke’s reputation was the snorter that sprang up and sailed to slip off the shoulder of Brook’s bat, he contributed to the fall of all three wickets as England reached lunchtime. It wasn’t really enjoyable to ruin Brook’s debut Test as the top-ranked hitter in the world with zero and one scores.
Shortly after O’Rourke struck him amidships, Root fell leg before wicket on the sweep to Santner. Meanwhile, Bethell was ecstatic to see the back of his 94 mph rockets, and his eyes lit up when he saw Southee take his place at the far end and stick one straight up in the air. However, given that this marked Bethell’s third half-century on his debut tour, it made a significant impact.
Bethell’s participation in all three games, despite not starting the series, has put some pressure on Ollie Pope’s No. 3 spot and even the struggling Zak Crawley. The fact that he can now add bravery in the face of criticism to the list of qualities that have allowed him to advance quickly in England is only one of many positive aspects of this situation.
Pope has played well as the stand-in wicketkeeper, and his runs at No. 6 were essential to England’s wins in Wellington and Christchurch.
