New Zealand achieved arguably one of their finest away series results when defeating England convincingly by 160 runs at Trent Bridge in the third Test to clinch an historic 2-1 series victory. This was New Zealand's first-ever Test series victory in England since 1999 and only their second in a three-match series, having lost the first match.

 

The outcome also acted as a poor conclusion to the career of Ben Stokes on the international stage. Having led England to a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in 2022 in the Stokes era, his final series leading the side has seen the visitors reverse the findings.

 

New Zealand bowled England out for 212 after setting the home team a target of 373 at the end of the fourth day to secure an historic win. England also lost their first home Test series in three or more matches since 2012.

 

Tom Latham Leads New Zealand to Historic Triumph

 

Once again, Captain Tom Latham was the frontrunner. His fantastic 151 in the first innings meant NZ could set a total of 438. Devon Conway also scored a magnificent 157 as the two always kept the pressure on England.

 

In the second innings, southpaw Rachin Ravindra scored 94, followed by Daryl Mitchell, who remained unbeaten with 100 to give England a daunting task. The team posted 288/9 and declared the innings, handing England a massive target of 372 runs.

 

The series' success marked a good start to New Zealand's dominance under Latham. As captain, he is now in the lead on five of his first six successful Test series wins, including series wins in India and England.

 

It was also only the 4th time New Zealand had secured a Test series victory in England, the previous occasions being 1986, 1999, 2021 & 2026.

 

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Bowlers Finish the Job as England Fall Short

 

Further talking about the pursuit, England's innings never gained any momentum despite prompt starts from Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes. Stokes got 30 from 20 balls, and Duckett scored 36, but continuous dismissals meant that England was unable to set up a good partnership.

 

Jamie Smith battled hard with a solid 60, but it was left to him and the final couple of batters to score runs as New Zealand's bowlers kept control for the entire innings.

 

Zakary Foulkes finished with three wickets, Nathan Smith took two important wickets, and Mitchell Santner snaffled two. Ben Sears had Duckett caught at an important juncture.

 

Stokes previously made a significant impact in the match on either side of the crease and snared six wickets across the game, but ran up against New Zealand's batting strength and tight bowling.

 

The 2-1 triumph against England is up there amongst the great accomplishments of New Zealand cricket in the Test format. Turning around the result of the first game to win the next two, away from home, displayed the resilience and consistency of the team.

 

For England, it ended Ben Stokes' captaincy on the lowest of notes with New Zealand celebrating this landmark victory on away territory.