New Zealand secures series victory against England as Ben Stokes concludes career

By Arjun Nair / 29.06.2026

By Arjun Nair — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

New Zealand claimed a 2-1 series victory over England, winning the third and final Test by 160 runs at Trent Bridge. The match marked the conclusion of Ben Stokes’ international career, with England suffering a defeat in his final appearance.

The decisive Test saw New Zealand wrap up the win on the final day in Nottingham. England’s loss followed Stokes’ announcement that this match would be his last, highlighting the challenges the team now faces.

Final Day Action and Key Performances

On the final day, England’s pursuit of 373 runs was cut short. The early dismissal of Emilio Gay and a crucial run-out of Joe Root by Henry Nicholls in the fourth over significantly hampered England’s chances. Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson offered some resistance with a 75-run stand before Atkinson’s dismissal before lunch.

Smith went on to complete his second half-century in several months. However, another direct hit, this time from Mitchell Santner, led to Josh Tongue’s dismissal. Smith was eventually caught at long-off, resulting in England being bowled out for 212.

New Zealand, despite facing injuries, secured a notable series win, their fourth in this country. They were the last visiting team to win a series in England in 2021 and are now the first tourists in a significant period to win a series of three or more Tests here.

Stokes’ Farewell and England’s Future

Stokes’ career concluded with England’s first home series defeat under his captaincy. The team has experienced a challenging period, with a number of defeats in recent Tests and a prolonged period without a series win.

Speaking about his retirement, Stokes stated that the decision was not taken lightly and was made for his own well-being. He acknowledged that questions might arise but expressed contentment with his choice. Jofra Archer, named England’s player of the series for his 11 wickets despite missing the first Test, expressed his sentiments about Stokes’ departure, noting the difficulty of imagining the changing room without him.

The conclusion of Stokes’ career leaves England in need of a new captain for their upcoming Test matches. Potential candidates mentioned include Harry Brook and Joe Root. The team will also need to adapt to playing without Stokes’ all-round abilities, which have been crucial for balancing and inspiring the squad.

New Zealand’s Achievement

New Zealand’s victory is a significant achievement, particularly as they secured the series despite the retirement of their own prominent player, Kane Williamson, after the first Test. The Black Caps demonstrated disciplined and effective Test cricket throughout the series, outperforming the home side with strong fielding.

Contributions from various players were instrumental in New Zealand’s success. Tom Latham and Devon Conway established a substantial opening stand. Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell made important contributions with the bat, while Matt Henry was effective with the ball, and Tom Blundell performed well behind the stumps. Daryl Mitchell was named player of the match for his century.

The series win marks a notable moment for New Zealand, who were defeated in Stokes’ initial series as captain. Rachin Ravindra praised the team’s effort, highlighting the performances of players like Foulkesy and the consistent efforts of Daryl Mitchell. New Zealand has achieved significant away series wins, including this one in England.

England is scheduled to begin a white-ball series against India on Wednesday.

Source: bbc.com