Ben Stokes looked ahead to 2025 and vowed “I ain’t holding back” as his team prepares for the series against India and Australia that will define his captaincy.

Stokes ended this year walking stiffly and unable to bat as England suffered a whipping by 423 runs in Hamilton, their fourth heaviest of all time by runs.

The incapacitation of their captain with a hamstring injury and the rotten defeat in the third Test were sour notes to end a year which has seen the regeneration of the team’s attack and a creditable four series wins out of six, their only defeats coming on spinning tracks in Asia.

But it is the health of Stokes and his lifespan as an all-rounder that causes the most alarm because England are a different team when he is in tune as a batsman and bowler.

When he plays as a batsman, he ruins the balance of the team and it leaves Shoaib Bashir exposed as one member of a four-man attack. It also upsets his own peace of mind and England need Stokes at one with himself if they are to beat the best two teams in the world next year.

The worry is that on two occasions Stokes has suffered a left hamstring injury when stepping up his workload. One of the downsides of Stokes’s Superman image, honed by the golden deeds of the summer of 2019, is that nobody is willing to hold him back for his own good and, by the sounds of it, he is not going to change.

“I worked my arse off to get where I was for this game with my body,” he said. “It is just sod’s law that as soon as I feel like I’m young again something happens. I was very emotional about the whole thing walking off but when you sleep on it and take the emotion out of it you realise you are always putting yourself at risk of an injury. I ain’t holding back.”

Stokes will learn the extent of the damage to his leg when he goes for a scan on Wednesday before flying home. He goes back to the UK with plenty to ponder, some of it good, some bad. His team’s achievement in winning a series in New Zealand for the first time in 16 years should not be underestimated.

But by being bowled out for 234 in 47.2 overs, the end arriving not long after lunch on day four, England continued their habit of losing as spectacularly as they win.

Jacob Bethell’s 76 was the only Hamilton highlight, a positive for England to build on. He earned his chance through someone else’s bad luck but has made a statement in three Tests by showing great promise at No 3.

With his third fifty in a row, he has done more than enough to stay in the team ahead of others who have been indulged with rock-solid selectorial faith that previous generations could only have dreamt about.

England’s opening partnership has been so flimsy that Bethell has walked out no later than the fifth over in this series; he has practically been playing as an opener. Zak Crawley’s game disintegrated against the unrelenting accuracy of Matt Henry but he has a decent record against India and Australia. The sight of Bethell seeing off Will O’Rourke’s lightning-fast spell and batting with the composure of a veteran rather than a 21-year-old proved he should stay at No 3.

Tim Southee bowed out of Test cricket with Bethell his 391st and final wicket. It was a shame. Bethell had done the hard work surviving an eight-over blistering spell from O’Rourke, ducking and swivelling out of the way of the short balls. He looked good in defence and picked his moments to attack. Where inexperience came shining through was the first ball he faced when Southee replaced O’Rourke. He tried to belt it over the top only to toe-end a catch to third man. It was a Bazball way to get out, but you sense Bethell has a bit more about him than some of the others and will learn.

This was England’s eighth defeat out of 17 Tests this year, a ledger that does not tell a totally accurate picture. Six of their defeats were on spinning pitches in Asia. At home they swept aside West Indies and beat Sri Lanka but ended the summer with a dismal performance at the Oval. This was reminiscent of that game.

They have rebuilt the attack around Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse, and settled on Bashir as their spinner. He took 49 wickets in his first year of Test cricket. It was a steep, bruising learning curve at times but there is something to work with, not least his attitude because his head never dropped.

The batting, for all its rollocking ways, remains brittle. Crawley and Ollie Pope made zero progress this year and Stokes has lost his mojo with the bat.

Pope and Ben Duckett, the two biggest guzzlers of the Bazball rocket fuel, both fell to face-palm shots in the final innings. Duckett danced down and played on, swinging wildly at his fourth ball of the second innings, and let another series slip by without making the most of his form, while Pope was bowled top of off stump missing a reverse ramp to Henry. The game was already over at 215 for five, England needing 658 to win, but again Pope failed to put a high price on his wicket and ended a good series on a low note.

O’Rourke’s pace rattled the bejesus out of England. He reached Mark Wood speeds of 95mph but has the bounce to go with it at 6ft 4ins. He was all over Harry Brook in this Test. Brook marked his first game as world No 1 with a first-baller and one in the second innings. He faced four balls from O’Rourke. He played on to his first, took a wild swipe at his second, smiling widely at the play and miss, and fended the fourth aimed at his chest to the hands of slip.

Joe Root altered his grip and backlift to counter the pace and the angle into him from O’Rourke. It did not stop him taking a nasty blow below the belt, and he fell sweeping to Mitchell Santner at the other end. Pace and spin landed the two big guns – Australia will take note.

One other concern is how England fade. It used to be that England teams were slow starters. Not anymore. They won the first Test in all of their three overseas series this year only to lose the final match of each. That is a concern with a five-Test Ashes tour on the horizon. Stokes, and his team, will have to learn when to go full bore, and when to hold back.

01:56 AM GMT

Southee pays thanks

Tim Southee thanks Richard Hadlee for his kind words and pays tribute to England. He thanks New Zealand cricket, his teammates and his family for their support through the ups and downs of his career.

01:51 AM GMT

Hadlee pays tribute

Richard Hadlee has been giving a speech in tribute to the retiring Tim Southee. He spoke about being on the selection panel when Southee made his debut against England in 2008. He said that he “delivered beyond expectations” and had a “stellar career”. Touching words from the great Richard Hadlee.

01:45 AM GMT

The thoughts of England captain Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes is then handed the Crowe-Thorpe trophy by Amanda Thorpe, Graham’s widow. A really touching moment as England celebrate a series victory.

01:39 AM GMT

New Zealand captain Tom Latham

01:33 AM GMT

The thoughts of player of the series Harry Brook

01:30 AM GMT

Player of the match Mitchell Santner

01:16 AM GMT

New Zealand win by 423 runs

Carse comes down the ground to Santner, misses and is stumped by Blundell to finish off the match as Ben Stokes will not bat. New Zealand have thumped England by 423 runs but Stokes’ men still win the series 2-1. A very disappointing way for the series to end for England but they have done the job they aimed to do when they landed in New Zealand; win the series. On his final day in Test cricket, Tim Southee leads his side off to a standing ovation. It is a record win for New Zealand.

01:13 AM GMT

OVER 47: ENG 234/8 (Bashir 2 Carse 11)

Not really sure Carse wanted that single but had hoped he had beaten the cover fielder so Bashir is on strike. Bashir gets off the mark with a lofted drive over mid-on for two. Carse only just got back for the second.

Henry then goes full and Bashir gets his bat down in time to block it. Bashir sees out the rest of the over.

01:09 AM GMT

OVER 46: ENG 231/8 (Bashir 0 Carse 10)

Shoaib Bashir joins Carse in the middle and we have just seen Ben Stokes sat in his training gear still so this will be the final wicket.

01:08 AM GMT

Wicket

Potts c Southee b Santner 0 Potts last just two balls before picking out Southee down at long off. The end is nigh. FOW 231/8

01:06 AM GMT

Wicket

Atkinson c Phillips b Santner 43  Atkinson has had some fun, in particular against Santner, but he falls now. He gets onto the back foot and actually times it well, but picks out Phillips at deep cover. FOW 231/7

01:04 AM GMT

OVER 45: ENG 227/6 (Atkinson 39 Carse 10)

Carse charges at Henry and his big heave takes a thick outside edge, flying over Blundell and Mitchell for four. He goes after the next ball and misses. It misses the stumps by a matter of inches.

From the final ball of the over, Carse gives himself room and has to stretch to get bat on it as Henry delivers a slower ball. It loops into the offside but falls safely. Carse wants a single but is turned down by Atkinson, meaning Carse has to scamper back to his crease as the throw comes in.

01:00 AM GMT

OVER 44: ENG 222/6 (Atkinson 38 Carse 6)

Santner is tossing it up, inviting Atkinson to go after him. He has been expensive today but knows there are potentially wickets on offer for him here. Atkinson bits and skies one into the offside but it lands safely as multiple fielders converged on it.

Carse is off the mark as he belts Santner over long on for six. His captain Ben Stokes claps him, not looking like he is going to be batting any time soon. That was a high quality shot.

12:56 AM GMT

OVER 43: ENG 215/6 (Atkinson 37 Carse 0)

Brydon Carse joins Atkinson out in the middle and charges his first ball. Henry bowls a bouncer that Carse ducks underneath. Henry sends down another bouncer that strikes Carse on the body.

12:54 AM GMT

Wicket

Pope b Henry 17 I am not really sure what Pope is doing there. He goes for the Joe Root reverse ramp and misses, with Henry’s ball smashing into the off stump. Terrible dismissal. I am not sure Ben Stokes is going to bat in this innings, considering he is still in his training gear and England are so far off. FOW 215/6

12:52 AM GMT

OVER 42: ENG 215/5 (Atkinson 37 Pope 17)

Atkinson belts Santner back over his head for six. Santner has been expensive today as England have really gone after him. Atkinson has taken a liking to him and lifts it over his head again, this time for four. He makes it three boundaries in the over with a lofted shot over wide mid-off for four more. Atkinson is enjoying himself.

12:48 AM GMT

OVER 41: ENG 201/5 (Atkinson 23 Pope 17)

Matt Henry will open up from the other end and he finishes the over by bowling an absolute beauty to Pope, that beats the inside edge and goes over the top of the stumps.

12:44 AM GMT

OVER 40: ENG 200/5 (Atkinson 22 Pope 17)

Mitchell Santner will start proceedings after lunch. Atkinson gets England going first ball with a drive through cover point for two.

Santner sends one down the legside and it beats everything, running away fine for four byes to bring up the England 200.

12:41 AM GMT

Afternoon session

Could this be the final session of the series? Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson are making their way out to the middle. We do not know yet whether Ben Stokes will bat so New Zealand may only need four more wickets to win.

12:31 AM GMT

Impressive Bethell

He will be gutted that he gave his wicket away on the stroke of lunch today with a maiden century on offer but Jacob Bethell can be pleased with his efforts in his first Test series. He has scored three fifties, all in the second innings of the games, and has looked comfortable at this level. The question England have now is where does he fit in? Jamie Smith will presumably come back into the side and one of the men who looked vulnerable before the tour, Ollie Pope, has had a good series. Could he take Zak Crawley’s place at the top, like Nick Hoult suggested earlier? Ben Duckett was not opening the batting for Nottinghamshire when he got the gig for England under Bazball so could Bethell do the same? He has batted at three in the series when he bats lower down for Warwickshire so could he open? Will England be thinking about dropping Crawley? They seem to be backing him for the moment.

12:26 AM GMT

Stokes must drop Superman tag and be saved from himself

For more from our chief cricket writer Scyld Berry, click here.

12:20 AM GMT

Should England continue to back Crawley?

12:12 AM GMT

Get your fix

12:02 AM GMT

Lunch on day four

Atkinson hooks aerially but it falls short of O’Rourke at fine leg. Off the penultimate ball of the session Pope drives beautifully through wide mid-off for four. Great shot.

Pope defends the final ball of the session and England are 193/5 at the lunch break. New Zealand are five wickets away from victory, although it could be just four if Ben Stokes does not bat.

11:57 PM GMT

OVER 38: ENG 187/5 (Atkinson 18 Pope 12)

Santner bowls a beauty that turns and bounces past Atkinson’s outside edge. Not much Atkinson could do about that one.

Santner speeds through that maiden over so there will be time for one more over before lunch.

11:54 PM GMT

OVER 37: ENG 187/5 (Atkinson 18 Pope 12)

Atkinson is a lucky boy. He goes to drive Southee but gets a thick inside edge. It just evades the stumps and runs away for four down to the fine leg boundary. Atkinson is going at faster than a run-a-ball.

11:50 PM GMT

OVER 36: ENG 181/5 (Atkinson 13 Pope 11)

Atkinson drills one through wide mid-off for four. It was in the air for some time but Atkinson did nail it. Latham is in position at short cover but it was past him in a flash.

A few balls later Atkinson gets another four as he takes advantage of a full ball from Santner and forces it through the cover region for another boundary.

The final ball of the over is too short from Santner and Atkinson pulls it away for the third four of the over.

11:46 PM GMT

OVER 35: ENG 168/5 (Atkinson 1 Pope 10)

England have said Ben Stokes is available to bat if needed but he does not come in at number seven. Instead Gus Atkinson comes in with around 15 minutes to go until lunch. He is off the mark second ball with a pull through midwicket for a single.

The last ball cuts Atkinson in half, beating on the inside edge but going just over the stumps.

11:44 PM GMT

Wicket

Bethell c Phillips b Southee 76 O’Rourke’s quality spell ends, with Tim Southee replacing himand he immediately takes a wicket. Bethell goes after him first ball but only skies it into the air. Phillips takes the catch at deep point and Bethell will be annoyed at himself there. He was batting really well and would have been eyeing up a maiden Test hundred but not to be. FOW 166/5

11:41 PM GMT

OVER 34: ENG 166/4 (Bethell 76 Pope 9)

Four runs come from Santner’s latest over.

11:37 PM GMT

OVER 33: ENG 162/4 (Bethell 75 Pope 6)

O’Rourke continues to steam in. Bethell guides one through the gully region for four. He had that under control. Next ball he gets width and cuts behind square for four more to bring up the England 150.

Bethell then pulls away dangerously but it lands safely in the square leg region. He did not have that one under control and got away with that one.

Later in the over Bethell just nonchalantly flicks off his pads for four. It was not a million miles away from going for a flat six. That was a high-class shot from a player seeing it well.

The over ends with four byes down to fine leg.

11:32 PM GMT

OVER 32: ENG 144/4 (Bethell 62 Pope 5)

Santner slides one just past Pope’s outside edge and somehow it also misses the off stump. New Zealand cannot believe how that was not out.

Santner then gets too full and Pope punishes him by driving through cover for four, his first boundary in this innings.

11:29 PM GMT

OVER 31: ENG 140/4 (Bethell 62 Pope 1)

This is a good test for Bethell so early in his Test career, facing a bowler steaming in at some pace. O’Rourke finds the outside edge but Bethell plays with soft hands, meaning it falls a long way short of the slip cordon.

O’Rourke then strikes Bethell on the pads but, despite a few appeals from the New Zealand fielders, it was always going down leg. O’Rourke immediately knew that. In fact, it was a lot closer than I thought as it was clipping leg stump. It was probably hitting the stumps more than Zak Crawley’s dismissal did yesterday.

Another maiden over sent down by O’Rourke.

11:25 PM GMT

OVER 30: ENG 140/4 (Bethell 62 Pope 1)

Santner strays down the leg side and it beats everyone, running down to fine leg for four byes. Pope is off the mark fifth ball with a single into the point region.

11:21 PM GMT

OVER 29: ENG 133/4 (Bethell 60 Pope 0)

Ollie Pope is in at number six. He is struck on the pads first ball but umpire Adrian Holdstock shakes his head. Tom Latham considers it and sends it upstairs. I think this will be close but Pope might be safe, especially as he was given not out originally. It is clipping the top of leg stump so stays not out. That always felt like the right call.

This is not easy against O’Rourke, who is bowling a fine spell like he did in the first innings. The last ball keeps a little low and Pope is hit on the body despite trying to get underneath it. A wicket maiden over from O’Rourke.

11:16 PM GMT

Wicket

Brook c Mitchell b O’Rourke 1 O’Rourke got Brook out first ball in the first innings and he gets him out early in the second. Brook can only edge a shorter delivery to Mitchell at first slip, who takes the catch. O’Rourke has deserved that wicket this morning. In his first Test match as number one batsman in the world, Brook scores just one run across the two innings. I suspect Root will be replacing him at the top of the world rankings after this one. FOW 133/4

11:13 PM GMT

OVER 28: ENG 133/3 (Bethell 60 Brook 1)

He may be off a king pair but Brook is still on a pair. Not for long though as he gets a quick single. A bit of relief for Brook.

Santner is too full and offers width to Bethell, who takes advantage but driving with ease through the covers for four. Santner then drops short and Bethell cuts for four. He did not even have to run.

Bethell sweeps the final ball of the over behind square on the legside for a couple.

11:09 PM GMT

OVER 27: ENG 122/3 (Bethell 50 Brook 0)

O’Rourke has bowled well today but has not got the reward he has probably deserved. Bethell is flirting with danger outside his off stump.

A testing maiden over from O’Rourke.

11:05 PM GMT

OVER 26: ENG 122/3 (Bethell 50 Brook 0)

Harry Brook, the number one batsman in the world going into this game, comes in but is on a king pair having got out for first ball in the first innings. His first delivery slides down leg and he survives it.

Over the tannoy the DJ is playing Boney M’s ‘Daddy Cool’, which is the same tune the Barmy Army chant ‘Harry, Harry Brook, Harry, Harry Brook!’

11:03 PM GMT

Wicket

Root LBW Santner 54 New Zealand think they have Root LBW on the sweep but umpire Ahsan Raza shakes his head. Tom Latham is going to send this upstairs. There is no bat involved. It pitches in line and in the end it is very out. A great review from New Zealand and Root is living with himself that he missed that ball. I am surprised it was not given out in the first place as it did look out in real time. FOW 122/3

10:57 PM GMT

OVER 25: ENG 118/2 (Bethell 50 Root 50)

Be careful there Joe! O’Rourke bowls a bouncer outside off and Root tries to uppercut over the slips but just misses it. Can you imagine if he got out to that ball!

O’Rourke then gets one to come back into Root and, like Bethell, a few overs ago, hits him in a rather delicate area. Root at least has found the funny side of it and is in some pain. I can tell you now whenever it happens to a teammate he is always having a giggle!

A single into the legside from the final ball of O’Rourke’s over brings up Root’s fifty. Yet again Root passes the fifty mark in Test match cricket.

That run brings up the 100 partnership in just 120 balls.

10:52 PM GMT

OVER 24: ENG 117/2 (Bethell 50 Root 49)

Root was annoyed at himself that he missed out on a sweep shot but he does not miss out this time. Santner drops too short and Root pulls away behind square for four, despite the efforts of Ravindra. Next ball Root does get the sweep shot right and is rewarded with another boundary.

Santner gets too full and Root flicks away through midwicket. Good running allows Root to come back for three and he is just one run short now of his fifty. He is now the leading run-scorer in Test matches against New Zealand. Another record for Root as he passes Javed Miandad.

10:45 PM GMT

OVER 23: ENG 106/2 (Bethell 50 Root 38)

O’Rourke sends down a probing maiden over at Bethell.

The word coming out of the England camp is that Ben Stokes is available to bat if needed, but with such a huge total required I am not sure it will be worth the risk so we will have to wait and see on that one.

Time for drinks and England have got to it without losing a wicket.

10:41 PM GMT

OVER 22: ENG 106/2 (Bethell 50 Root 38)

A single through square leg brings up Bethell’s third Test fifty in his first series. He has taken his chance in this series and looked good. It has taken him 63 balls to get there. All three fifties have come in the second innings of each of the three Test matches.

Root finishes the over by slashing a wide delivery from Santner through point for four. Victory will be beyond England in this game but there are still runs to be had in the Hamilton sunshine.

10:37 PM GMT

OVER 21: ENG 100/2 (Bethell 49 Root 33)

Bethell flicks off his hips through square leg for two to bring up the 100 for England and Bethell is onto 49.

After striking Bethell in a delicate area (no more words needed!), O’Rourke bowls a beauty that goes just past the outside edge. O’Rourke may be wondering how he has not picked up a wicket so far today.

The last ball also beats the outside edge and there are a few appeals from the slip cordon. Tom Latham thinks about a review but decides against it.

10:32 PM GMT

OVER 20: ENG 98/2 (Bethell 47 Root 33)

New Zealand turn to spin an hour into the day’s play as Mitchell Santner comes on. It has felt like everything he has touched so far in this match has turned to gold. Bethell goes for the reverse sweep and the ball drops just short of Mitchell at slip. The reaction from the New Zealand fielders suggested they thought Bethell had hit it but the replays seem to suggest it came off the pad only. Actually we have just seen there was some glove after it hit the pads so a half chance for Mitchell, who nearly got his fingers underneath it.

Just the one run from the over.

10:27 PM GMT

OVER 19: ENG 97/2 (Bethell 46 Root 33)

Will O’Rourke is back into the attack. Root pulls uppishly behind square and gets four as Ravindra could not get around in time from deep square leg. Root then cuts a slice of luck as he nearly chops on trying to cut away. It was an under edge that nearly went onto his stumps but instead runs away down to fine leg for four.

O’Rourke goes wide of the crease and beats Root on the inside edge with a beauty. Root is riding his luck here.

10:22 PM GMT

OVER 18: ENG 89/2 (Bethell 46 Root 25)

Bethell tucks into a Southee short ball and pulls hard in front of square for four. Ravindra is positioned out at deep square leg but had no chance of stopping that one.

10:18 PM GMT

OVER 17: ENG 85/2 (Bethell 42 Root 25)

Beautiful cover drive from Root brings him another four. How many times have we seen Root so elegantly drive through the cover region in his career? Far too many to count.

The over finishes with an appeal for LBW but Root got a thick inside edge on it and even if he had not, it was outside off so not much going for that appeal.

10:14 PM GMT

OVER 16: ENG 79/2 (Bethell 41 Root 20)

Root is batting outside his crease and flicks one off his pads fine for two as Henry does a great job at fine leg to stop it going for four. Root had to make sure he hit that or else he was in trouble.

Root is dropped! Southee finds the outside edge and Root is almost walking as soon as he edged it. It should be a simple catch for captain Latham at second slop but somehow he spills it. Latham dropped a few in the first Test and his error costs Southee a wicket there.

10:09 PM GMT

OVER 15: ENG 76/2 (Bethell 41 Root 17)

Henry bags it in short and Bethell takes it on. There is a man positioned on the deep square leg boundary but Bethell gets enough on it to get over Santner’s head. That six brings up the 50 partnership between this pair.

A few balls later Henry sends down another bouncer that flies over Blundell’s head and is given as five wides. Blundell would have bene gutted had that been given four byes as he had no chance of stopping that.

10:04 PM GMT

OVER 14: ENG 63/2 (Bethell 34 Root 16)

Tim Southee, on what could be his final day in Test cricket, is on to bowl for the first time today. Bethell tries to pull him away first ball but it does not go quite where he wanted it to. It still goes over O’Rourke’s head at mid-on and runs away for four. Bethell probably meant to hit that over midwicket but a four nonetheless.

That is much better though as he drives beautifully through the covers for four. No need to run for that.

10:00 PM GMT

OVER 13: ENG 54/2 (Bethell 25 Root 16)

Henry finds Bethell’s outside edge but soft hands are the key, meaning it lands well in front of the slips and it was not a genuine thick outside edge either.

The first real sign of aggression from England in this morning session as Bethell advances at Henry, striking beautifully over Henry’s head for four to bring up England’s 50. He held the pose and enjoyed that one.

The last ball keeps low to Root, who does very well to get his bat down in time.

09:55 PM GMT

OVER 12: ENG 49/2 (Bethell 20 Root 16)

Root tries to pull away but only gets glove on it, which goes very fine but luckily for him just past a diving Blundell for four. There is also a leg slip in place so Root was a tad fortunate there.

09:51 PM GMT

OVER 11: ENG 45/2 (Bethell 20 Root 12)

Henry is testing Bethell, who is lucky that an inside edge evades the stumps and runs away for four down to fine leg.

09:48 PM GMT

OVER 10: ENG 41/2 (Bethell 16 Root 12)

O’Rourke goes full to Root, who not only digs it out but times it really nicely to run away through the mid-on region for four.

O’Rourke then digs one in short and it takes off, flying over Blundell’s head for four byes. Surprised that was not called wides.

Root nearly has a heart-in-mouth moment with one that goes down the legside but there is no bat on it and he is safe. He would have been kicking himself if he had got bat on that one.

09:42 PM GMT

OVER 9: ENG 33/2 (Bethell 16 Root 8)

Bethell gets his first run of the day with a single through square leg. A few balls later Bethell gets his first boundary of the day with a four down to third man. It did find the outside edge but Bethell had it under control and played with safe hands so no risk in that shot.

Henry then gets one to nip back into Bethell and there is a half appeal for LBW but a shake of the head is all they get. It pitched outside leg stump.

The over finishes with a couple for Bethell through midwicket after a mis-field.

09:38 PM GMT

OVER 8: ENG 25/2 (Bethell 9 Root 7)

Will O’Rourke will open from the other so the home crowd will have to wait for the time being to see Southee. Root neatly guides one behind point for four. He was in complete control of that shot, playing it deliberately late and his reward is a boundary.

England only need another 633 runs to win!

09:33 PM GMT

OVER 7: ENG 21/2 (Bethell 9 Root 3)

Matt Henry, who got Zak Crawley out again late yesterday, will start off proceedings on what could be the final day of the series. This game is not going to end well for England but they get going positively first ball as Root pushes through the covers for two to get off the mark.

For what will probably be the last time in this series the Barmy Army, who have shown incredible support as always throughout this series, belt out Jerusalem.

Root drives slightly uppishly and it lands just short of Santner at point. Looking at the replays it was not far away from Santner.

09:29 PM GMT

Ready for action

Jacob Bethell and Joe Root are making their way out to the middle in the Hamilton sunshine. The weather is a little different to this time yesterday. Because of the rain yesterday we are starting half an hour earlier today.

Will this be Tim Southee’s last day in a New Zealand shirt? I suspect it will be barring some incredible batting from England to take the game into a fifth day.

09:23 PM GMT

Could England really do it?

09:21 PM GMT

Stokes to bat?

The word from the England camp is that their captain is in theory available to bat if needed. Considering the game is pretty much gone it would seem unlikely that he will bat but we will have to wait and see.

09:19 PM GMT

Crawley is Matt Henry’s bunny – no England opener has ever performed as badly

Our deputy cricket correspondent Tim Wigmore has more on Crawley’s struggles.

09:15 PM GMT

Stokes must drop Superman tag and be saved from himself

For more from our chief cricket writer Scyld Berry, click here.

09:11 PM GMT

Day three highlights

09:08 PM GMT

Get your fix

09:04 PM GMT

England facing heavy defeat

Today looks set to be the final tour of England’s Test tour of New Zealand as they are staring down the barrel of a huge defeat in Hamilton. Ben Stokes’ side were set a mammoth 658 runs to win the third Test after New Zealand posted 453 in their second innings and finished day three 18/2. Zak Crawley’s miserable series came to an end once again at the hands of Matt Henry, who got him out six times out of six in the series. Ben Duckett also fell late on day three, chopping onto his stumps fourth ball.

To make matters worse for England, captain Ben Stokes injured his hamstring whilst bowling on day three. Assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has admitted that they may have to manage Stokes’ workload with the ball going forward.

“We didn’t see it coming,” said Trescothick. “You don’t have any signs for these sort of things, generally they just happen. But obviously it’s the same hamstring that he’s done before and it’s always tough when you realise you’re injured again.

“Maybe it’s a case that you manage his bowling loads [from now on] and potentially he doesn’t bowl the volume that he’s bowled in this game.

“He works dramatically well with his fitness to try and get into the best shape he can be. He’s been going so well, he’s been bowling and playing the role that he does as an all-rounder and captain. We’ll just have to look at how we manage it.”

Jacob Bethell will resume on nine not out and Joe Root is yet to get off the mark having not faced a ball yet. England have eight second innings wickets remaining, although that may end up being seven if Stokes is unable to bat.

If it is to be the final day, it will be an emotional one from Tim Southee in his final Test for New Zealand before retiring. He will be looking to add to the one wicket he got yesterday. Much to the crowd’s disappointment, he was stuck on 98 Test sixes after failing to add to his tally during his short spell at the crease yesterday.

Play on day four will get under way at the earlier time of 9.30pm UK time as we make up time that was lost yesterday during the rain delay.