New Zealand won a Test series in England for the fourth time by wrapping up a 160-run victory in the third Test at Trent Bridge on Monday, bringing an end to the international career of England’s captain, Ben Stokes.
Resuming on 103 for four and chasing an unlikely 373 to win, England were dismissed for 212 soon after lunch on day five as New Zealand clinched the series 2-1.
The New Zealanders’ other series wins on English soil were in 1986, 1999 and in 2021 – the latter being in a two-match series.
Stokes announced on Sunday he would be stepping down as England captain after four years after this Test, and also retiring from the international game after 15 years with the national team. He was dismissed for 30 late on Sunday after opening the batting.
It was England’s first defeat in a home series of three or more Tests since 2012. They have lost seven of their last nine Tests, a streak that piles the pressure on the leadership team of the coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key.
Speaking afterwards, Stokes backed Harry Brook to replace him, insisting it is a “natural progression” for his deputy. “If I was to be asked who I think should do it, I would be throwing my 100% support behind Harry Brook,” he said. “There’s a reason he was asked to be vice-captain of this team. I know with all the controversy over the last couple of weeks some decisions were made but they were decisions I was not part of making.
“You are asked to be vice-captain for a reason and I was vice-captain under Joe for a long time. It’s the natural progression: if the captain is not there, you step up. You don’t ask someone to be vice-captain if you don’t think he’s got the skills and ability to captain the team. There is absolutely no reason why Harry shouldn’t be asked to do that.”
Stokes also insisted speculation that he could be tempted back to face Australia next summer was wide of the mark. “I’m done,” he said. “I’ve had a few questions asking whether I’ll be able to sit on my sofa watching next year. I know it’s the Ashes but I’ll probably be watching it in a hospitality box somewhere.”
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