Southee Bids Farewell in Grand Style as New Zealand Secures Massive 423-Run Victory Over England
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Hamilton, Dec 17 (NationPress) Retiring fast bowler Tim Southee was honored with a remarkable farewell from Test cricket as New Zealand achieved a stunning 423-run victory against England in the third Test on Tuesday.
This win marks New Zealand's largest Test victory by runs. Despite England having already secured the series with wins in the first two matches, this victory propelled New Zealand to the fourth spot in the latest ICC World Test Championship standings.
On the other hand, England dropped to sixth place in the rankings, trailing behind New Zealand (fourth) and Sri Lanka in fifth.
Southee concluded his career with a total of 391 Test wickets in 107 Tests, having taken a couple of wickets during England's second innings. His teammates, Mitchell Santner (4-85) and Matt Henry (2-62), were instrumental in dismantling the English batting lineup, which included half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (76) and Joe Root (54).
Facing a challenging target of 658, England resumed their innings at an overnight score of 18/2. With Ben Stokes opting out due to a hamstring injury, New Zealand needed to claim seven wickets to seal their victory.
Root and Bethell made a strong start, forming a 50-run partnership within the first nine overs and extending it to a 104-run stand in just 125 balls, with both batters scoring fifties.
However, England's fleeting moment of control ended abruptly when Root was dismissed lbw after failing to connect with a sweep off Mitchell Santner. Harry Brook soon followed, caught in the slip off Will O'Rourke.
Despite this, Bethell continued to counterattack, striking three boundaries in an over from O'Rourke as he advanced into the seventies.
Gus Atkinson and Ollie Pope kept the pressure on until Pope was bowled by Matt Henry after an unsuccessful reverse lap. Santner then dismissed Atkinson, caught trying to hit big.
Matthew Potts fell in a similar manner just two balls later, while Brydon Carse was stumped, completing Santner's fourth wicket of the innings and seventh of the match, as England was all out for 234 in their chase of 658.
Santner was named Player of the Match for his impressive seven wickets and 125 runs across both innings, while Harry Brook was awarded Player of the Series for his total of 350 runs throughout the three matches.
Summary of Scores: New Zealand 347 and 453 (Kane Williamson 156, Daryl Mitchell 60; Jacob Bethell 3-72) defeated England 143 and 234 (Jacob Bethell 76, Joe Root 54; Mitchell Santner 4-85) by 423 runs.
