England slump to 423-run defeat in final Test against New Zealand
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy England signed off 2024 with a chastening 423-run defeat against New Zealand in Hamilton, with injured captain Ben Stokes not fit enough to go down with the ship. open image in gallery England’s Jacob Bethell bats on day four A maiden first-class century appeared to be calling Bethell, but he instead became the final wicket in Tim Southee’s distinguished career. open image in gallery New Zealand bowler Tim Southee is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of England’s Jacob Bethell Root was dropped in the slips off Southee on 19 but joined Bethell in chalking up a fifty to end a year that has seen him lead the global statistics with 1,556 runs and six centuries. Bethell was next, aiming a lavish swing at the first ball of a new Southee spell and skying a toe-ender high to give the hometown hero a 391st, and final, scalp.