New Zealand Thrash England by 423 Runs to Mark Tim Southee’s Test Farewell

Santner Stars as England Collapse Again; New Zealand Equal Their Biggest Test Win

New Zealand capped off a dominant performance with a 423-run victory over England in Hamilton, equalling their largest-ever Test win margin by runs. The emphatic result was a fitting farewell for Tim Southee, who retired from Test cricket at his home ground, Seddon Park, leading his team off the field for one final time.

Despite having already secured the series—their first in New Zealand since 2007-08—England finished 2024 on a disappointing note, folding twice in the match for 143 and 234. The heavy defeat was their second-worst this year after the Rajkot debacle and left them with a 9-8 Test record for 2024.

Match Summary

New Zealand: 347 (Santner 76, Latham 63, Potts 4-90) and 453 (Williamson 156, Young 60, Mitchell 60)
England: 143 (Henry 4-48, Santner 3-7, O’Rourke 3-33) and 234 (Bethell 76, Root 54, Santner 4-85)
Result: New Zealand won by 423 runs

England’s Second Collapse

Resuming day four on 18 for 2 and chasing a mammoth 658 runs to win, England’s slim hopes rested on a solid start. Joe Root (54) and Jacob Bethell (76) combined for a century partnership, but England’s innings quickly fell apart once they were dismissed. Mitchell Santner claimed 4 for 85, while Will O’Rourke and Tim Southee provided key breakthroughs.

With Ben Stokes opting not to bat due to a hamstring injury, England effectively only had seven wickets to defend against New Zealand’s relentless attack. After lunch, the final five wickets tumbled swiftly, with Ollie Pope’s ill-advised reverse-ramp dismissal epitomizing England’s lack of resistance.

Key Moments

Bethell and Root Partnership:
Bethell continued his strong form, scoring his third consecutive fifty, and alongside Root, brought some stability to England’s innings. Their partnership of 100 runs briefly hinted at defiance, but Root’s dismissal before lunch began the collapse.
Santner’s Breakthrough:
Root was trapped lbw attempting a sweep off Santner, with New Zealand successfully overturning the on-field decision via DRS.
O’Rourke’s Fiery Spell:
Will O’Rourke bowled with raw pace, reaching 153kph (93mph) and troubling Bethell. He dismissed Harry Brook with a vicious short ball and unsettled Pope with a bouncer that struck his arm.
Bethell Falls to Southee:
Tim Southee’s final wicket in Test cricket came when Bethell, attempting an aggressive shot, was caught by Glenn Phillips at deep backward point.
Late Resistance from Atkinson:
Gus Atkinson struck a quick-fire 43 off 41 balls, hitting eight boundaries, but his attacking mindset could not prevent the inevitable.

Tim Southee’s Farewell

Tim Southee’s Test career came to a fairytale close at Seddon Park. Finishing with figures of 2 for 34, including the prized wicket of Bethell, Southee was given a standing ovation as he led New Zealand off the field. His contributions to New Zealand cricket—spanning over 16 years since his 2008 debut—were celebrated in emotional scenes post-match.

Williamson and Santner Shine

Kane Williamson’s majestic 156 in New Zealand’s second innings was the bedrock of their dominance.
Mitchell Santner played a vital all-round role, scoring 76 runs and claiming 7 wickets in the match, including 4 for 85 in the second innings.

England’s Year in Tests

Despite series wins, England’s inconsistency persisted, finishing with a 9-8 record in 17 matches.
Jacob Bethell was a bright spot, excelling at No. 3 in his debut series.
England’s approach, characterized by aggressive shot-making, drew criticism as it contributed to collapses in both innings.

New Zealand’s Dominance at Hamilton

Hamilton continues to be a fortress for New Zealand, where they have now won eight of their last 10 Tests since 2012. This victory also halted their streak of four consecutive home defeats dating back to February.

Key Takeaways

New Zealand’s Record Victory: Equalled their biggest Test win margin (423 runs, same as against Sri Lanka in 2018).
Tim Southee’s Farewell: A memorable Test exit at Seddon Park.
Santner’s Match-Winning Performance: 7 wickets and a crucial 76 runs.
England’s Batting Woes: Inability to resist under pressure, highlighted by risky shot selection.
Bethell’s Promise: Consistency at No. 3 offers hope for England’s future.