England vs New Zealand, 3rd Test, New Zealand tour of England, 2026 - CommentaryENG vs NZ, 3rd Test, New Zealand tour of England, 2026 - Commentary

The tributes will pour in for Stokes who made England believe in the impossible every time he was at the crease or had the ball in hand. A great allrounder, being only the second player after Jacques Kallis to do the double of 7000 Test runs and 250 wickets. But there are also those like Stuart Broad who said yesterday that when it comes to Stokes, you don't look at the numbers, you look at the moments. And there were plenty of those. It's an emotional day for England who will have to move on and find someone else to take over and get things back on track. They've lost 7 of their last nine Tests, and have now lost a stalwart in the dressing room. Testing times ahead. That's all we have from here. This is Sagar Chawla signing off on behalf of Mukesh and Nikhil Jadhav. Goodbye!

And that brings an end to a remarkable international career. Ben Stokes. The man who gave his heart and soul every time he stepped onto a cricket field. The player who delivered some of England's greatest victories. And the captain who transformed a setup that was crying out for change. Yes there were lows, a considerable number of them, which included failures to win against Australia and India, and also his decline with the bat after taking over the captaincy. But he often won over the cricket-watching public with his efforts on the field. Who can forget the many marathon bowling spells which are now the stuff of legend, or his heroics with the bat in 2019, pulling off the double heist in a World Cup final and then in Leeds. He did so while battling injuries, his own demons and the many onfield setbacks. You only need to listen to how his teammates speak about him to know what he means to England. And he will be missed.

Root: I've played cricket with and against Ben since being 12 years old. He taught me my first swear word, the first time I played against him, spurring me. We've always got on pretty well ever since. Going to be strange turning up in and around this environment not seeing him around. (Did he try to talk Stokes out of it?) I just tried to listen and just be as good a mate as you can. You want to enjoy your cricket and play it for the right reasons and if you're not in a space to do that, then it's probably the right time to go. Just hope that he's at peace with everything. I'm clearly going to miss him, the dressing room is going to miss him as a leader, as such an influential player and a good mate too. It was the most Ben Stokes thing ever (on him taking a wicket immediately after the retirement news went public). Don't think there's any other player I've played that's created moments like he has.

McCullum: Stokes has had such an impact on so many people not just since he's been captain, but also throughout his career. He's a leader of men. People follow him. He's made such a significant impact in the last four years on so many people. He is going to be missed. When he confirmed to me yesterday that he was going to retire, firstly I tried to talk him down. But it became pretty obvious that he had made his decision and he was at peace with it. From that point of view, your emotion then leads on to just a bit of sadness really because you have been on this journey together for four years. It's been a real thrill. Real privilege to have worked with Stokesy throughout that time. He seemed content and very at peace with the decision. He's been a cricketer that's been able to transcend the sport into other aspects of society.

New Zealand celebrate with the trophy and are absolutely pumped while posing for the cameras. Meanwhile, England coach Brendon McCullum spoke to Sky Sports after the presentations, as did Joe Root. Here are some of the highlights above from those chats...

Latham (2/2): (What were the key moments for this deciding test match?) Yeah, I think we obviously started really well on day one. I guess in the context of the match now, it was obviously a really important partnership at the top. So we would have liked to kick on probably from that position that we were in. But I think what we did on the morning of day three to get some quick wickets, I think it was four or five wickets in that morning session, set the tone. And I think you look at probably the pressure that we were put under the start of that third innings. And then for Daryl and Rachin to get through that night, but then also come yesterday morning, settle the nerves of the dressing room and put on a really important partnership was crucial. And obviously Daryl was the mainstay there. He's, I guess, when situations get tricky, he's the guy that we want there. And he certainly seemed like he was loving it yesterday when the crowd was getting into him. So no other guy that we'd rather have there. But yeah, as I said, really pleased everything, came with the ball, again, put under pressure last night with probably something that we weren't really expecting. But I think the way the guys were able to adapt to what was thrown at us and obviously come and get the rewards today, certainly, yeah, really pleased. (On England's announcement about Stokes' retirement and the chaos) Yeah, it was. And I guess that's probably something we pride ourselves on the most as a group, is trying to adapt to situations. The situation looked a little bit different with the new ball when you got most of the guys out on the boundary. But we just thought that was the most important thing that we needed to do. And obviously to get those four wickets last night was really important. And again, we knew we had a lot of hard work to do this morning. And again, some key moments we think of run-outs and catches and all that sort of thing. But, yeah, it was obviously really pleasing to come here and get the job done today. Just on behalf of the New Zealand cricket team, mate, I just want to congratulate you on an amazing career (to Stokes). Obviously, a once-in-a-generation player. To play against you for all these years, we’ve obviously had some fierce battles throughout your career. And just on behalf of all of us, I just want to congratulate you on a fantastic career, mate. Enjoy your retirement.

Tom Latham: Yeah, really special moment. I guess when you set out at the start of a series, I guess this is what you want to work towards. But, yeah, I think for me the most pleasing thing, it's been a whole squad effort throughout the three games. Managed to stick to a style that we've been really proud of. It's been a little bit old-school test cricket than, probably what it has been traditionally over the last few years. So, yeah, just to be standing here in this position, it's, yeah, really, really pleasing and really proud of the guys. (On the series win) Yeah, I guess it does. I thought we did a lot of good things at Lord's. You know, it was a tricky surface, and things could have been slightly different with a few different situations. But I think the way we were able to come to the Oval, play our brand, some guys stuck their hands up at some really important times. I guess you always look back after games, and you want to win those key moments. And I guess we managed to win some of those key moments when you look back on it. So, yeah, different guys have stood up throughout this whole series. And that's the most pleasing thing, as I said, that different guys have done it when the team's needed it, and we played our style as best we can.

Stokes (3/3): (Unusual timing of his retirement announcement) Yeah, it was, look, it was, I told a few people who I'm close with in the team about my decision night before, and they told the team in the morning. And then again, the comms team we've got here, along with my management, with Michael Lumb and Neil Fairbrother, just sort of looked at, I've got quite a lot to concentrate still over the last two days, so you guys come up with a plan and then we'll just go with it. And, yeah, I mean, I would have to take a wicket after it becomes made public, wouldn't I? But then I look at the way the last two and a half weeks have unfolded, and it's obviously been a bit interesting, we'll say. That's probably the best way to put it. But it's, again, I can look back at probably one week and have a bit of a laugh that there was a bit of controversy around my last game for England. But I guess that sort of, you could relate that to me as a player throughout. It's like a little bit hit and miss sometimes here and there. And obviously with this, something pretty simple ended up being a bit complicated. But, look, I've thoroughly enjoyed every single time I've walked out on the field, and I'll look back on fond memories of everything, even if there is a little bit of controversy off the field here and there. I think I look back at some of the things that I've been involved in on the field with not only being able to say that I played with some of the best players that England have ever produced, and I've been able to share some pretty special moments out on the field with those people. And even some of the guys who are starting their careers out. (On career memories and highlights) Yes, I know that I've done some decent things on the field, but I look back at some of the moments that I've shared with other people who have achieved some great things out on the field. I feel lucky that I've seen what Joe Root's been able to do on the cricket field as a player and as a captain, and he's still going. Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Alastair Cook, all these greats of the game. But then also there's other people who I've played against that I've seen do some amazing things out on the field. So I feel incredibly lucky that not only have I been involved in some of the moments that as a proud Englishman can say, but also what other greats of the game have done. And yeah, it's been some ride and something I'll always be able to look back on with fond memories.

Stokes (2/3): (On retirement and why he is stepping away now) Oh, I think I explained that as much detail as I could yesterday. I would just say that at the end of the day, there might be a few questions. I'm sure a few people have. I'm sure you do, and some other people do. But I hope that it can just be respected that, at the end of the day, the most important person in making decisions is myself. And I, didn't take the decision lightly or rushed into it. I had a number of people who I trust to talk to these things, quite personal things about. And, I tried throughout this whole week to see if I could get myself through and see myself going beyond this week, but it wasn't meant to be. So, look, I'm very happy with everything that I've managed to do over my career. And it is sad that it's no longer going to be something I get to do. There are some things that I will miss, and there's also some things that I'm quite happy to be able to say I don't have to worry about that anymore. So, yeah, there's quite a lot of emotion, obviously, but I'm very proud of what I've done, and I'm happy that I feel like I've been able to contribute some kind of happiness to fans who come around and show us support everywhere we go in the world.

Ben Stokes: (On the atmosphere, reception, and the final Test match result) Yeah. It's been, you know, a nice couple of days in terms of all that. Obviously, it would have been great for things to have ended differently in terms of the result. But look, I think, the way that this test match had gone, it had been an incredibly hard-fought game by both teams, being exposed to some pretty tricky conditions in terms of the weather over the first few days, and then obviously that contributing to the pitch, playing a little bit differently day by day. But I think that's one of the great things about test cricket, is that every day is different to the one before, and the next day is probably going to be different to the one that you played. (On New Zealand’s performance and match situation) I give credit to New Zealand and the way that they operate throughout this game. You know, you can't, especially Daryl and Rachin, for the way that they got the team into a position where they were, pretty comfortably ahead. It was always going to be difficult for us to be able to chase down that total. But look, it's been a game which feels strange to say, but ending on a game where you sort of had to go all the way to the end, I wouldn't have it any other way. The only thing that I would change is that we were on the right side of the result. But you can't always have things your way. That would have been the perfect end, but as I say, the world isn't perfect, and that's the one thing that I'll be sad about the result of my last game.

Nathan Smith | New Zealand's Player of the Series: (On bowling at the end with a Test match to win) Yeah, for sure. It's always nice to have the ball in your hand when you've got a Test match to win. So, yeah, really pleased. (On leading New Zealand's attack after starting the series as the fourth seamer). Yeah, I pride myself on being able to do whatever the team needs, whether it be with the new ball or the old ball. It's a bit of a shame we were struck with injuries, but I think it shows the strength of our squad at the moment. We can call on guys waiting on the sidelines to come out and do a really good job. (On adapting to different pitches throughout the series). Yeah, for sure. I think in England the ball does get soft, so it does mean we have to bring the stumps into play a little bit more. We talked about being ruthless and relentless with our line and length. I think Tom Blundell really changed the series by coming up to the stumps at The Oval. That was huge for us.. (On tactical discussions during the series). Not too much ahead of the series. It was sort of just on the fly. We were adjusting, thought it would be a good idea, and he had the bravery to come up to the stumps, and also the skill to be able to execute it. (On the value of county cricket experience in England) Yeah, for sure. When the ball's doing something, you sort of always know what to do. But when it gets soft, flat and hard, they're the experiences you want to call on. So it definitely helps playing county cricket, and I definitely think I'll be doing it again at some point.

Jofra Archer | England's Player of the Series: Honestly, it's been really good, you know, because I put a lot of work in. So to be rewarded, honestly, I still don't know how I got this, but all of the lads have been putting shifts in, and it's as much of a reward for me as it is for them. So I couldn't have done it without the lads anyway. (Challenges for him?) I think it would probably just be the mindset. Sometimes you're going to have aches and pains, but you've got to go through it. You've got other guys at the other end, you know, trying just as hard as you. You don't want to let anybody down. You've got to make sure you're fit as well, because if you go down, that's an extra workload on the other three fast bowlers. So, you know, you just do everything in your power to make sure that you're fit, you're strong enough, and you're switched on as well. Because sometimes, I guess, the hardest thing is drifting as well in the field. As you said, you're playing 20 overs, you can be out there bowling for a day and a half, two days. So, you know, I guess just being mentally strong. (On Stokes's retirement) Not just as a captain, but as a friend, you know, someone you can always go to, mid-off, mid-on, you know, wherever he is, you can always come, you bounce ideas off him, you know. It's going to be a big miss. I think the hardest part is going to, you know, imagine the changing room without him. Like, every game I've played, he's been there, Rooty's been there as well, you know. So him being gone, I really don't want to look forward to it, you know, we don't have a choice now, but it's going to take some getting used to.

Daryl Mitchell | Player of the Match: Ah, look, this is very special for our group. We came over here with the goal of winning the series, and, yeah, to do it in a style that's true to us as Kiwis and as Black Caps, it's really cool. (Thoughts on this century) Yeah, there was probably a little bit of unfinished business with the last series and the way that it went, and I guess as a group to come here, and, yeah, just really proud of, I guess, every single squad member at some stage over the last three games has stepped up, and, yeah, it's nice to get the job done. (What were the challenges?) I think the first one, I was really pleased with how calm we were with that loss (at Lord's) and how we sort of analysed it, and then we just went to business in the second one at the Oval, and then same again here on different surfaces, which require different skill sets and mindsets, and, yeah, nice to get the win. There's a couple of bruises here and there, but it all makes it worth it now, doesn't it? (On grinding out the tough periods) We just spoke about partnerships are really crucial for us, and I thought the way Rachin came out and did what Rachin does. He's an amazing talent with a great skill set, and I guess allowed me to keep doing what I do. And then the way the bowlers came in as well and keep building partnerships is something we really pride ourselves on, and it got us a total to, I guess, defend. (About the fielding) Yeah, we put a lot of work into our fielding, some days it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. I think also the two run outs today sort of shows that guys are engaged and they're giving everything they've got.

Time for the presentations...

Stats by Roshan Gede

England in Test series at home since 2015
Series contested: 23
Won: 14
Drawn: 7
Lost: 2 (both to NZ - 2021 and 2026 respectively)
*including one-off Tests vs IRE (2019 and 2023) and vs ZIM (2025)

New Zealand’s Test series wins in England
1-0 (3) in 1986
2-1 (4) in 1999
1-0 (2) in 2021
2-1 (3) in 2026

Come from behind Test series wins for New Zealand
2-1 (4) vs ENG (Away) in 1999 - Lost, Won, Draw, Won
2-1 (3) vs ENG (Away) in 2026 - Lost, Won, Won

Visiting teams with come-from-behind Test series wins in England
Australia, Ashes 1909 - 2-1 (5)
Australia, Ashes 1930 - 2-1 (5)
West Indies, 1950 - 3-1 (4)
Australia, Ashes 1997 - 3-2 (6)
New Zealand, 1999 - 2-1 (4)
New Zealand, 2026 - 2-1 (3)

-- This is the 15th instance that England has been at the receiving end of a come-from-behind Test series win, the most by a team. Only two of them have been three-Test rubbers: vs PAK (Away, 2024/25) and this one.

Visiting teams with wins in series of 3-plus matches in England since 2000
Australia in 2001 - 4-1 (5 matches)
India in 2007 - 1-0 (3 matches)
South Africa in 2008 - 2-1 (4 matches)
South Africa in 2012 - 2-0 (3 matches)
New Zealand in 2026 - 2-1 (3 matches)

14:17 Local Time, 13:17 GMT, 18:47 IST: Tom Latham takes a stump as a souvenir as the celebrations begin in the New Zealand camp. It's the first time ever that they have bounced back to claim a three-match series after losing the first Test. No Matt Henry, no Kyle Jamieson, no Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson retiring midway, Blair Tickner out with concussion on the first day, and yet the Kiwis have risen. They won a great toss, no doubt about it, and the opening pair of Latham and Conway made the most of it with a mammoth 317-run stand. England showed a lot of fight from that position. On a second day which proved to be one of the hottest in English Test history, they staged an incredible comeback with the ball, but then lost their way with the bat on a pitch that bore the brunt of the sun. The pace attack was relentless from New Zealand to seal an 84-run first innings lead, and then Daryl Mitchell just ran with it with a proper Test hundred, taking the target beyond England.

Mitchell Santner to Jamie Smith, THATS OUT!! Caught!!