Joe Root and Jacob Bethell made half-centuries but England slumped to a 423-run defeat in the third and final Test against New Zealand.

Having gone into day four on 18-2, chasing a target of 658 to win, England never truly had a chance in Hamilton.

Youngster Bethell, though, capped off a fine series with a fine 76, while veteran campaigner Root added to his record haul of Test runs for England with a 64-ball 54.

Yet once Root fell to Mitchell Santner, who was the star bowler for the Black Caps with 4-85, and the ICC's number-one ranked batter Harry Brook succumbed to Will O’Rourke (1-37) on one, any glimmer of a remarkable turnaround was extinguished.

Tim Southee, in his final Test match before retirement, dismissed Bethell to take his last wicket, with Santner subsequently ripping through England's tail, though Gus Atkinson offered some resistance with a quickfire 43 that included seven fours and one six.

The tourists, shorn of the injured Ben Stokes, were bowled out for 234, as they suffered a chastening defeat at the end of a series they won 2-1.

Seeing a great off in style!

Mitch Santner (4-85), Tim Southee (2-34), Matt Henry (2-62) and Will O’Rourke (1-37) leading the final innings with the ball. Catch up on all scores | https://t.co/gATDuNhj6S  #NZvENG #CricketNation  pic.twitter.com/xbGBqMTMAe

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 17, 2024

Data Debrief: Southee bows out in style

It has been a spectacular career for Southee, who signs off as the second-highest Test wicket-taker for New Zealand, with 391 to his name, behind only Richard Hadlee (431).

He took 2-80 in his final match of a glittering career, as New Zealand sealed their joint-biggest margin of victory (by runs) in the longest format.

They had previously beaten Sri Lanka by 423 runs in December 2018, in Christchurch.