December 17, 2024: The third Test between New Zealand and England at Seddon Park on Tuesday was full of remarkable moments, but the main story was about New Zealand’s triumphant 423-run victory, a fitting tribute to Tim Southee in what was his final Test for the Black Caps. Despite the series being out of their reach after England took an unassailable 2-0 lead, New Zealand ended their campaign with a resounding victory, which was their joint-highest margin of victory by runs in Test cricket.
This massive win by New Zealand was especially notable as it came after they had suffered a crushing defeat by 323 runs in the second Test in Wellington. The Kiwis became the first team in Test history to win a match by more than 300 runs after losing the previous match by a similar margin—an incredible turnaround that highlighted their resilience.
Seddon Park, a fortress for New Zealand, once again lived up to its reputation. The Kiwis had not lost at this venue since 2012, with eight wins and two draws in their last 10 Tests there. The victory also marked a perfect send-off for Southee, who was playing his final Test for New Zealand. His career was celebrated with this emphatic win, underlining his lasting impact on the team.
For England, it was a tough day at the office. This defeat saw them become the first team in history to suffer two losses by margins over 400 runs in the same calendar year, after their 434-run loss to India earlier in February. Despite the result, England’s Joe Root achieved a significant personal milestone. He became the leading run-scorer for England in Test cricket against New Zealand, surpassing Pakistan’s Javed Miandad with 1925 runs. Root is now the only player, alongside Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, to be the leading run-scorer against two different nations in the Test format.
Root’s remarkable feats in New Zealand were also highlighted, as he became the first touring player to score over 1000 runs in New Zealand, with a tally of 1006. His eight half-centuries against the Kiwis make him the player with the most fifties in Test matches between the two sides. His consistency in New Zealand has been remarkable, further cementing his place among the game’s greats.
In conclusion, while the Test series ended in disappointment for New Zealand in terms of the overall result, their emphatic victory in the third Test ensured that Tim Southee’s farewell was celebrated in grand style. At the same time, Joe Root’s individual brilliance continued to shine despite England’s heavy loss.
