NZ vs ENG

A truly emotional moment from Tim Southee as he bids farewell to a legendary career, and what a fitting conclusion to this Test series. England emerge victorious, clinching the series 2-1.

That brings us to the end of both the match and the series. Thank you all for joining us. This is Meeth Agrawal and Pradeep signing off from what has been an unforgettable Test series. Goodbye, and see you next time.

A wonderful speech from Sir Richard Hadlee who presents a memento to Tim Southee. It's time to hear the final words in Test cricket from Southee...

Tim Southee: Firstly, thank you sir Richard and congratulations England on a series win. Obviously, played in good spirit and a side I have loved playing against. Taking this opportunity to thank a few people. Firstly, New Zealand, thank you for everything you have done over the last 17 years. Much appreciated. Now my family, they are the ones that are for the ride seeing the ups and down. Teammates, they made this ride much enjoyable. Loved every bit of it. And other players as well. Finally, I would like to thank the fans. Always great to turn out in front of numbers, and this week's been pretty special at Seddon Park to play in front of great crowds. Thank you. I look forward to watching on as a fan. 

Ben Stokes (England captain): Yes, I think so. We created a lot of chances on Day 1. It probably didn't go as planned but I feel New Zealand really had go dig in to get through that opening period of the day which they did really well. Credit to the two opening batters. (On invariable pace and bounce) I think when you are hitting the wicket hard with fresh legs, it's when it is the most dangerous for seam bowlers. Obviously not ideal spending time in the field and then going back out there again soon. Not ideal to end the tour on this note but but we've come here against a team that's very strong, full of confidence. To lift that trophy in the end proves that we've played very good cricket. We wanted to leave here with three wins in the bag. It's obviously disappointing as a team to finish like we have done. But very happy with the series win. It is what it is.

Tom Latham (New Zealand captain): Anytime you finish a series after being behind is amazing to finish in that fashion. Obviously, we weren't at our best in the first couple of games. On a wicket that was different from the first two, it is very pleasing to come out on top. (On dropped catches in the earlier games) We spoke about that after the first game that we let England come in that position. We couldn't capitalise on the chances in the first two games but we did manage in this one. Last couple of days with the bat, we spoke about putting up partnerships together and we managed to do that. I guess you never known what a good score is. After the first innings, we thought we lost wickets early but when both teams batted, we were in a good position and got an idea of a good score. And then in third innings, to put on a score like that was pleasing. (On Southee's retirement) Wickets, runs and sixes sort of speak for themselves. I guess the legacy Tim is leaving will be a pleasing one for him. A massive member of the team for a long time. The person he is around the changing room, attributes on-field. A great team man. it's been so long, 17 years, half his life. We are certainly leaving one of the greats behind. We want to congratulate him on an amazing career.

Harry Brook is the Player of the Series [350 runs]! Here's what he has to say: Just opens up different areas to score here, it was all a good wicket and loved playing square of the wicket here. Still trying to enjoy my cricket, keep getting better everyday. I felt like, in the second game I tried to take on and thankfully it came off.

Mitchell Santner is the Player of the Match [76, 3-7, 49, 4-85]! Here's what he has to say: You might get an odd ground that might spin in New Zealand, but satisfying. That little period, we just tried to make as tough as possible. We wanted to bring bowlers spell after spells, nice to bowl with a lead there and keep the team in the game. That's the role which is more important, tying up one end and let the big boys go down and take wickets. Nice to see a wicket that has spin on it. Everyone will miss Tim Southee, outstanding player.

New Zealand win by 424 runs. England win the series 2-1!

New Zealand - 347 and 453
England - 143 and 234

Mitchell Santner - 76 & 49 | 3/7 & 4/85
Jacob Bethell - 12 & 76 | Matthew Potts - 4/90 & 1/64

Tim Southee leads the New Zealand team off the field with the Seddon Park crowd giving him the applause he deserves. A fitting end to a legendary career by the Kiwi talisman who leaves behind a legacy. He although missed out on 100 Test sixes, he has achieved enough that he can be proud of - 107 Test matches, 391 wickets, and 98 sixes as well!

New Zealand have wrapped up the game inside just 30 minutes in this second session of Day 4, picking up four wickets and completing a dominant victory. The fate of the match was almost sealed when England came out to chase the mammoth target of 659 runs. England began their chase aggressively, but they lost both their openers, Crawley and Duckett, early on.

Bethell and Root tried to offer some resistance, stitching together a 104-run partnership with some counter-attacking play. However, it was Santner who broke through, dismissing Root. Brook fell soon after, and Southee, in his swansong, also took the crucial wicket of Bethell. With Stokes unable to bat due to injury, Atkinson took matters into his own hands, attacking with a 43-run cameo, but it wasn’t enough.

Santner was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets, while Southee and Henry claimed two each, with O’Rourke adding a wicket to his tally. 

In the end, it was New Zealand’s all-round performance that stood out, starting with their first innings total of 347. The innings was built around a steady half-century from captain Tom Latham, with a late but crucial contribution from Mitchell Santner, who also scored a valuable half-century lower down the order.

England's response was a lackluster one, as they were bundled out for a mere 143, giving New Zealand a substantial lead. The Kiwis then came out for their second innings, posting a commanding total of 453, anchored by another brilliant century from Kane Williamson.

Chasing a daunting target of 659, England never really stood a chance. They managed just 234 before being dismissed, with New Zealand clinching a comfortable victory by an innings and 424 runs. 

England, however, take the series 2-1. An end to a promising series here down under! 

47.2 Mitchell Santner to Brydon Carse, OUT! STUMPED! That's it, New Zealand win but England take the series, 2-1! Tim Southee hangs his boots with a win in his final test match. Carse uses his feet, Santner pulls the length back and keeps it wide of off-stump. Carse couldn't put bat on ball, Blundell waiting to collect it and whips the bails off. Stokes is not coming to bat, that is that for England!

47.1 Mitchell Santner to Brydon Carse, floated on a length outside the off-stump. Carse reaches and swings hard, sweeps it to deep mid-wicket and they don't take the single.

46.5 Matt Henry to Shoaib Bashir, OH! Back of a length in the channel, Bashir goes fishing at it, that straightens just enough to beat the outside edge to the keeper.

46.3 Matt Henry to Shoaib Bashir, OH! In the air but just clears mid-on and Carse finishes a tight brace in the end. Length delivery on the stumps, Bashir lofted it over the top of the fielder's head. Fielder runs back, dives and stops it. Carse turns back for the second, had to hurry in the end.

46.2 Matt Henry to Shoaib Bashir, short into the batter, Bashir uses his feet and looks to pull that one away but misses, goes right over the top of the stumps.

46.1 Matt Henry to Brydon Carse, pace off, length delivery outside the off-stump. Carse waits and belted it to extra-cover. Fielder diving to his left, gets a hand to it and they pick up a single.

Mitchell Santner strikes twice in quick succession, removing Gus Atkinson after his spirited knock and then sending back Potts for a duck. England are now eight down, and the writing seems to be on the wall for them. It could be the last wicket now as Stokes is injured!