New Zealand clinch 4th Test series win in England:Defeated ENG by 160 runs to spoil Ben Stokes’ farewell in Trent Bridge Test

New Zealand produced an outstanding performance to defeat England by 160 runs in the third and final Test at Trent Bridge on Monday. With the victory, the visitors sealed the three-match series 2-1 and ended England captain Ben Stokes’ international career on a disappointing note. Chasing a difficult target of 373 runs, England resumed the final day at 103/4 but failed to put up much resistance. The hosts were bowled out for 212 shortly after lunch on Day 5, handing New Zealand a memorable series victory. The result also marked New Zealand’s fourth Test series win in England. Their previous series triumphs on English soil came in 1986, 1999 and 2021, with the last one being a two-match series. England’s chase ends quickly on Day 5 England needed something special on the final day to complete the chase, but their hopes faded early. Overnight batters Joe Root and Emilio Gay were expected to lead the fightback, but both were dismissed in the fourth over of the day. Emilio Gay scored 10 before edging the ball behind the wicket. Soon after, Joe Root, England’s highest Test run-scorer, was brilliantly run out by Henry Nicholls for 18. As Root and Gay walked out to bat, the boundary boards around the stadium displayed the message, ‘Thank you Ben Stokes,’ paying tribute to the outgoing England captain. Smith and Atkinson offer brief resistance Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson gave England some hope by adding 75 runs for the seventh wicket. Their partnership delayed New Zealand’s victory before lunch. However, spinner Mitchell Santner trapped Atkinson lbw for 19, breaking the stand. Around 15 minutes after the lunch break, Smith was dismissed for a fighting 60, bringing England’s innings to an end at 212. Stokes signs off after 15-year international career Sunday had already been an emotional day for England as Ben Stokes announced that he would step down as Test captain after the match and retire from international cricket following a remarkable 15-year career. Stokes was dismissed for 30 late on Day 4 after opening the batting and did not have any role on the final day. Reflecting on his farewell match, Stokes said, “It would have been great to have gone out with a series win and a win, but that’s in a perfect world and this world certainly isn’t perfect.”