New Zealand completed a stunning turnaround from a 0-1 deficit to win 2-1 in the three-match Test series against England, away from home. The Blackcaps sealed the comeback after a resounding 161-run win in the series decider at Trent Bridge in Nottingham to make serious strides in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
New Zealand took early command of the third Test after a historic 317-run opening partnership on Day 1. Although they collapsed in the first innings, they claimed a vital lead after bowling out the hosts for 354. Putting on 288 before declaring, England faced a mammoth target in the final innings, coupled with the bombshell news of Ben Stokes announcing his retirement.
England made a fiery start to the run chase towards the end of Day 4, but lost their way and lost four wickets, leaving an uphill task on the final day. The batting side tried to put up a fight, but were bowled out for 212 in the end, meaning Ben Stokes’ final match as an England player and captain, ended in a tame loss.
The win pushes New Zealand within touching distance of the crucial top two. Ahead of the third Test, their win percentage was 66.67, which has now improved to 72.22. For reference, the second-placed South Africa are only slightly ahead with 75.00 percent, while Australia are runaway leaders at 87.50 percent.
England’s crisis, on the other hand, has been a snowball effect. Their defeat at the Oval in the second Test was detrimental in itself, but it was worsened even further after a massive points deduction for maintaining a slow over rate. Ahead of the series decider, they were placed seventh with a win percentage of 26.39. Now, with the eighth loss of the cycle already, the figure has dropped slightly to 24.36.
England to host Pakistan next while New Zealand will face India in a crucial Test series in the 2025-27 WTC cycle
England are next scheduled to host the last-ranked Pakistan in a three-match Test series, set to begin on August 19 at Headingley, Leeds. The worsening state of affairs leaves the spotlight on the leadership pair of Rob Key and Brendon McCullum as they head into a new era post Ben Stokes’ abrupt departure.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s next red-ball assignment is against India at home in the form of a two-match Test series, beginning from November 19 onwards. The Blackcaps have only lost one out of the last eight Tests against the heavyweights, and have not lost at home to them since 2009.
Edited by Gokul Nair
