Retiring fast bowler Tim Southee received a perfect sendoff from Test cricket as New Zealand clinched an emphatic 423-run triumph over England in the third Test in here on Tuesday.
Southee had already indicated a desire to retire from the longest format at the completion of the Test series against England and the veteran right-armer finished his Test career in style as the Black Caps dismissed England for just 234 on Tuesday to clinch an easy victory.
While England had already clinched the series with wins from the opening two matches, the victory for New Zealand saw them rise above their European counterparts and claim fourth place on the latest ICC World Test Championship standings.
New Zealand and England have both completed their World Test Championship campaigns and are out of contention for next year’s final, with the Kiwis left to rue disappointing defeats from the opening two matches of this series.
England too will be frustrated at some inconsistent results throughout their campaign, as they fall to sixth on the standings and behind both New Zealand (fourth) and Sri Lanka in fifth, an ICC report said.
Southee picked up a pair of wickets during England’s second innings to finish his career with 391
Test scalps, with teammates Mitchell Santner (4/85) and Matt Henry (2/62) doing the majority of
the damage to offset half-centuries from Jacob Bethell (76) and Joe Root (54).
Santner was adjudged Player of the Match in his first appearance of the series for his seven wickets and 125 runs across the two innings, while Harry Brook was named Player of the Series for his 350 runs over the three contests.
Brief score:
New Zealand: 347, 453
England: 143, 234
