Santner takes 4 as New Zealand win 3rd Test to give Southee fond farewell

New Zealand capped Tim Southee’s farewell Test with a crushing 423-run victory over England, equalling their largest win by runs.

England’s second dramatic collapse of the match came despite a fighting century stand between Jacob Bethell and Joe Root on day four at Seddon Park. However, their resistance evaporated swiftly as New Zealand dismissed the visitors shortly after lunch.

With Ben Stokes sidelined due to a hamstring injury and choosing not to bat, England only had 7 wickets in hand at the start of play, chasing a near-impossible 658. Southee fittingly claimed Bethell’s wicket, finishing with figures of 2 for 34 in his final Test innings. The veteran seamer, who debuted against England in 2008, fittingly led his side off the field at his home ground, bringing down the curtain on a celebrated career.

England had already secured their first series win in New Zealand since 2007-08 but ended a turbulent year in disappointing fashion. Their final Test record for 2024 reads: 17 matches, 9 wins, and 8 losses. This 423-run defeat, though significant, was eclipsed earlier in the year by an even heavier loss to India in Rajkot.

On a brighter note, Bethell’s emergence at No. 3 stood out as a silver lining. He scored his third consecutive half-century, this time holding firm alongside Root as England began the day positively. The pair took England to 87 for 3, building a 100-run stand after early chances were missed: Root survived a drop by Tom Latham at second slip off Southee, while Bethell had a close call off Matt Henry.

However, the turning point arrived when Mitchell Santner trapped Root in front of the stumps, successfully overturning the on-field decision. Root’s dismissal for 52 triggered a collapse. Will O’Rourke, bowling with pace and aggression, dismissed Harry Brook cheaply for the second time in the match, forcing him to fend a sharp short ball to slip. Brook, who had fallen for a golden duck in the first innings, managed just 5 in his second attempt.

Bethell carried on his counterattack, taking O’Rourke for three boundaries in quick succession. His 60-ball fifty was a blend of aggression and caution, but his resistance ended in Southee’s second spell when he miscued a drive to Glenn Phillips in the deep.

After lunch, Ollie Pope’s bizarre innings summed up England’s intent. In the fourth over post-break, he fell attempting a reverse-ramp, bowled by Henry for 7. Gus Atkinson provided a fleeting flurry of boundaries, striking Santner for 6-4-4 in one over and finishing with an entertaining 43 off 41 balls. But his adventurous approach was short-lived, as he fell trying another aggressive stroke.

Santner then polished off the tail, wrapping up the innings with two wickets in three balls. England were bowled out swiftly, handing New Zealand a dominant victory that matched their margin against Sri Lanka in 2018. Southee’s retirement celebrations began early, the hosts comfortably victorious and England left to reflect on a year marked by both promise and inconsistency.