Ben Stokes’ last game in international cricket ended in a crushing defeat as injury-hit New Zealand beat England by 160 runs in the third Test at Trent Bridge on Monday.
The win meant New Zealand wrapped up the three-match campaign 2-1 — their fourth successive win in England in 20 attempts and only the second since coming from 1-0 down following their 1999 win in England.
It was England’s seventh defeat in nine Tests and their first home series defeat of three or more Tests since 2012.
The Test comes as England captain Stokes announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday.
The 35-year-old all-rounder said he felt “burnt out” after four years as England captain, although Stokes said he would continue to play for county side Durham.
His decision came after he returned to England action after a 253-run defeat in the second Test, defying the midnight curfew following the hosts’ win in the series opener.
“To go away with a series win would have been great, in a perfect world,” Stokes told the BBC. “But I am very happy with what I have achieved as a player and as a captain.
“There’s some emotion knowing you’re not going to do this anymore.”
New Zealand’s victory was a reward for their professionalism, with the Black Caps outclassing England in all departments in Nottingham.
Daryl Mitchell, who was adjudged man of the match for his unbeaten 100 in the second innings, repeatedly inflicted painful blows on England’s pace attack.
“It’s very special for our team,” Mitchell said. “We came in with the goal of winning the series. It’s great.”
Stokes, normally a middle-order batsman, opened England’s run chase with a tough target of 373 to win.
He scored 30 off 20 balls, including 2 sixes, before his exit, which meant he had no part to play on the field on Monday, his last day in international cricket.
England chased down a target of 299 in dramatic fashion to beat New Zealand at Trent Bridge four years ago, with Jonny Bairstow’s mammoth century at the start of an era of aggressive ‘baseball’ by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.
But the current New Zealand attack kept their nerve as England lost three more wickets before closing in on Sunday to find themselves at an abysmal 103-4.
They were in even worse trouble at 116-6 at the start of Monday’s game, losing two wickets in five balls.
Nathan Smith was caught by Emilio K for 10 and then one of England’s greatest batsmen, Joe Root, was run out for 18 by a brilliant direct hit by Henry Nicholls.
New Zealand lost a bowler 35 minutes into Monday’s game when Will O’Rourke picked up a hamstring injury.
Gus Atkinson, along with Stokes, returned after curfew, and Jamie Smith held off New Zealand with 75 before Atkinson was lbw to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner for 19.
Jamie Smith reached his half-century after lunch when he hit Santner for four.
But another fine direct hit got run-out talent Josh Tong, this time towards Santner, and Jamie Smith (60) caught Nathan Smith in the deep to seal a deserved victory for the Black Caps.
“We put a lot of work into our fielding and the two run-outs today showed the guys are engaged and showing everything they’ve got,” Mitchell said.
The game was a success for many New Zealanders, with captain Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157) sharing an opening stand of 317 out of 438 in the first innings.
New Zealand went into the game without injury, with fast bowler Matt Henry, who took 11 wickets at the Oval, and in-form pacer Kyle Jamieson rested as a fitness precaution.
And at Nottingham, Blair Tickner managed just three overs after suffering a concussion hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer while batting.
But Zach Foulkes, New Zealand’s first concussion substitute, took 6 wickets in the match.