England captain Ben Stokes suffered another injury setback as his side endured a demoralizing day in Hamilton.
New Zealand battered the tourists into submission, setting a mammoth target of 658 on the third evening of the third Test at Seddon Park before Ben Duckett and the embattled Zak Crawley were annihilated late on.
Crawley was dismissed for the sixth time in six attempts by his adviser Matt Henry in the final minute and finished with just 52 runs at an average of 8.66 with five lbw.
He left the field with some choice words for umpire Adrian Holdstock, who made a mistake in tight conditions for the bowler, although his real problems were closer to home.
But despite England’s horrendous scorecard, which saw them finish 2-18, they somehow had bigger concerns.
Stokes’ rise
They had already secured the series with thumping wins in Christchurch and Wellington, and a blast in this dead rubber was lower on the priority list than the skipper’s fitness.
Stokes left the field after a long afternoon session clutching his left hamstring, loosing his follow-through and immediately leaving the field two balls over.
It was his 13th inning, 37th game, and 67th trip. The workload has increased significantly beyond anything he has managed in the past 18 months.
The 33-year-old suffered a serious tear in the same muscle while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred last August, forcing him to miss the next four Tests.
He underwent major surgery on his left knee late last year and underwent rigorous rehabilitation to resume his activities as an all-rounder.
He spoke of satisfaction about rejoining New Zealand’s seam attack, pitching alongside his fellow pacemen and taking seven wickets, including three late scalps, to close out the second Test.
But England will now be concerned that he has taken on too much, and will question his ability to take on that role for a year to come. This culminates in the hotly anticipated Ashes in Australia.
white ball comeback
More immediately, a lucrative stint for MI Cape Town in the South African T20 League next month and a theoretical white-ball return in time for the Champions Trophy in February appear to be in serious doubt.
A brief statement from a team spokesperson confirmed that Stokes is “receiving treatment” and needs “further evaluation” before a decision is made on whether he can definitely bat on a wild goose chase.
Stokes’ defeat coincided with an absolutely disastrous away performance for England, who toiled happily as the home side took the game further and further out of their grasp.
England’s misfortune
Resuming from 136 for 3 after the morning session, they moved mercilessly to 453, with Kane Williamson cashing in with some cheap runs to ring in his 33rd Test century and seventh, now averaging an astonishing 94.94.
Matthew Potts had earlier removed Rachin Ravindra after he had bizarrely hit 44, but England have mostly kept their fast bowlers a secret.
Perhaps wary of another soldier falling, they gave Carse and Gus Atkinson just nine overs between them and leaned heavily on Shoaib Bashir’s off-spin.
He struggled to apply pressure despite facing 36 overs, conceding a remarkable 170 runs, getting the consolation of Williamson and Glenn Phillips swinging for the fences.
The 21-year-old ends 2024 with 49 Test wickets and more overs than any other bowler in the world. But the fact that his average is now over 40 is a reminder that he’s not done yet.
part timer
The situation became more and more ridiculous as Britain waited and waited for a declaration that never came.
At one stage Harry Brook took the new ball with a very occasional medium pacer, something few could witness out of curiosity, and Joe Root took one for 17 in his sole over.
Jacob Bethell also opened his international account with 3 for 72 off 14.2 overs of left-arm spin. He spoiled the crowd’s fun by taking his last two wickets in two balls when Tim Southee picked long-on in the final innings before his retirement. .
The tailender was applauded at the crease by England coach Brendon McCullum, his old Test captain, and offered his second guard of honour, but failed to add to his collection of 98 sixes. Only three men – Stokes, McCullum and Adam Gilchrist – have managed 100.
Southee ended the day with Duckett still bowling high, with an inexplicable rush off the veteran’s fourth delivery.
Crawley, desperately needing a point, survived DRS’ pound-for-pound shout but could not escape for a moment and looked deeply unhappy as he stomped towards the pavilion.
Read more: Ben Stokes’ injury scare in the third Test added to England’s woes.
