England captain Ben Stokes suffered one other damage setback as his facet endured a demoralising day in Hamilton.
New Zealand battered the vacationers into submission as they set an enormous goal of 658 on the third night of the third Take a look at at Seddon Park earlier than Ben Duckett and the embattled Zak Crawley have been worn out late on.
Crawley was dismissed for the sixth time in six makes an attempt by his tormentor Matt Henry within the closing moments, lbw for 5 to go away him with simply 52 runs at a median of 8.66.
He left the pitch with what appeared to be some selection phrases for umpire Adrian Holdstock, who erred with the bowler on a decent name, though his actual issues lie nearer to dwelling.
But regardless of a horrendous scorecard, which ended with England flailing at 18 for 2, they one way or the other had even greater considerations.
Stokes’ Harm
They’ve already secured the sequence with thumping wins in Christchurch and Wellington, rendering a blowout on this lifeless rubber decrease on their record of priorities than the health of their skipper.
Stokes left the sector clutching his left hamstring in an elongated afternoon session, pulling up in his observe by means of and instantly leaving the sector two balls into an over.
It was his thirteenth of the innings, thirty seventh of the match and 67th of the journey – a considerably elevated workload than something he has managed over the previous 18 months.
The 33-year-old badly tore the identical muscle in August whereas taking part in for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred, lacking the following 4 Assessments.
He had beforehand undergone a significant operation on his left knee on the again finish of final 12 months, present process a punishing rehabilitation regime in a bid to renew his work as a completely functioning all-rounder.
He has spoken contentedly about rejoining the seam assault in New Zealand, pitching in along with his fellow tempo males and taking seven wickets – together with three late scalps to complete off the second Take a look at.
However England will now be involved that he has taken on an excessive amount of, elevating query marks over his means to tackle such a task within the 12 months forward – which culminates within the hotly-anticipated Ashes in Australia.
White-ball comeback
Extra instantly, a profitable stint for MI Cape City within the South African T20 league subsequent month and a theoretical white-ball comeback in time for February’s Champions Trophy look in critical doubt.
A quick assertion from a workforce spokesperson confirmed Stokes was “receiving therapy” and required “additional evaluation” earlier than a choice was made on his availability to bat in what is definitely a wild goose chase.
Stokes’ setback was in line with a completely depressing outing for England, who toiled away joylessly as their hosts took the sport ever farther from their grasp.
England’s Woes
Resuming on 136 for 3 after a washed out morning session, they moved mercilessly to 453 all out, Kane Williamson cashing in some low-cost runs to ring up his thirty third Take a look at century and seventh at a venue the place he now averages a exceptional 94.94.
Matthew Potts had earlier eliminated Rachin Ravindra after an oddly sedate knock of 44, however England largely stored their quick bowlers below wraps.
Maybe cautious of seeing one other soldier go down, they handed Carse and Gus Atkinson simply 9 overs between them and leant closely on Shoaib Bashir’s off-spin.
He struggled to construct stress regardless of churning by means of 36 overs, conceding an eye-watering 170 runs and taking the comfort scalps of Williamson and Glenn Phillips as they swung for the fences.
The 21-year-old ends 2024 with 49 Take a look at wickets and extra overs than every other bowler on this planet, however the reality his common has now ticked again over 40 is a reminder that he has but to nail the function.
Half Timers
Issues bought more and more farcical as England waited and waited for a declaration that by no means got here.
At one stage Harry Brook took the brand new ball along with his very occasional medium-pacers, a curiosity few can have anticipated to witness, and Joe Root took one for 17 in a solitary over.
Jacob Bethell additionally bought by means of 14.2 overs of left-arm spin, opening his worldwide account with three for 72. He took the final two wickets in two balls, spoiling the gang’s enjoyable after Tim Southee picked out long-on in his last innings earlier than retirement.
The tailender was clapped to the crease by England coach Brendon McCullum, his previous Take a look at captain, and provided his second guard of honour however failed so as to add to his assortment of 98 sixes. Solely three males, Stokes, McCullum and Adam Gilchrist, have managed 100.
Southee nonetheless managed to finish the day on a excessive, bowling Duckett as he inexplicably charged on the veteran’s fourth supply.
Crawley, in determined want of a rating, survived one lbw shout on DRS however couldn’t escape a second and regarded bitterly sad as he stomped in direction of the pavilion.
READ MORE: Harm scare to Ben Stokes provides to England’s woes in third Take a look at
