Nottingham: New Zealand defeats England in series as Ben Stokes’ career concludes

By Karan Malhotra — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

England faced a series defeat against New Zealand, concluding the third and deciding Test on the final day in Nottingham. This match marked the end of Ben Stokes‘ career with England, following his announcement that this Test would be his last. England‘s 160-run loss at Trent Bridge resulted in a 2-1 series reverse for the home side.

The day after Stokes‘ announcement, England‘s batting lineup struggled, ending day four at 103-4, making the target of 373 on Monday seem challenging. The prospect of a prolonged fight diminished early on the final day when Emilio Gay departed, and Joe Root was run out by a direct hit from Henry Nicholls.

New Zealand’s decisive victory

Despite a battling stand of 75 between Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson, which staved off immediate humiliation, England‘s efforts were not enough. Atkinson was out just before lunch, and Smith, who completed his second half-century in 11 months, was eventually caught at long-off. Josh Tongue also fell victim to a direct hit from Mitchell Santner, leading to England being all out for 212.

New Zealand, despite being affected by injuries, secured a notable series win, their fourth in England. They were the last visiting team to win a series in England in 2021 and are now the first touring side to win a series of three or more Tests in the country in 14 years. Daryl Mitchell was named player of the match for his century.

Mitchell Santner and Tom Latham celebrate after the dismissal of Jamie Smith — It’s all over as New Zealand win by 160 runs and take the series 2-1.Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

For Stokes, his four-year captaincy reign ended with his first home defeat, and his 15-year international career concluded amidst a challenging period for England cricket. This loss was England‘s seventh defeat in nine Tests.

Reflections on Stokes’ departure and England’s future

Stokes‘ departure was described as anything but a fitting end for an England great, known for his impactful moments and resilient attitude. He spoke about his decision, stating he did not take it lightly and tried to see if he could continue beyond this week, but it was not meant to be. He mentioned that while there are things he will miss, there are also aspects he is content not to worry about anymore. Stokes also addressed questions about playing in the Ashes, indicating he was unsure if he would be in physical shape and was content with his decision.

The optimism that followed England‘s victory over New Zealand in the first Test has since diminished. The team now faces the challenge of finding a new captain for their next Test against Pakistan in August, with Harry Brook or Joe Root being potential candidates. They will also need to adapt to playing without Stokes‘ all-round abilities. Jofra Archer, who was named England‘s player of the series for his 11 wickets despite missing the first Test, expressed his sentiments about Stokes‘ absence, stating it would be a significant miss and he did not look forward to the changing room without him.

England fans and Ben Stokes Credit: bbc.com

New Zealand‘s achievement was highlighted, as they won the series despite the retirement of their own prominent player, Kane Williamson, after the first Test. The Black Caps displayed disciplined Test cricket, out-skilling the home side, particularly with their fielding on the final day. Key contributions came from players like Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell with the bat, Matt Henry with the ball, and Tom Blundell behind the stumps. Rachin Ravindra praised the team’s effort, highlighting the contributions of players like Foulkesy and Daryl Mitchell.

England will begin a white-ball series against India on Wednesday.