The sun is setting on Baseball: Ben Stokes signs off with a knock as New Zealand seal 2-1 series win against England

England captain Ben Stokes during the fourth day of the 3rd Test match between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge on June 28, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo/Getty Images) England’s hopes of ending captain Ben Stokes’ tenure on a winning note were dashed on the fifth morning at Trent Bridge as New Zealand completed a 160-run victory to win the three-match Test series 2-1.Chasing 373, England went on to 103 for 4 on the final day but were never able to build the partnerships needed to threaten the target. They were bowled out for 212 shortly after lunch, giving New Zealand their first comeback series win in three Test series after losing the opening match.The visitors also claimed only their fourth Test series victory in England, adding to the triumphs of 1986, 1999 and the two-match series victory in 2021.England’s hopes rested on Joe Root and Emilio Gay at the start of the day, but both departed in the fourth over of the day. Gay fell behind for 10 while Root was run out by a sharp piece from Henry Nicholls on 18. Boundary boards around the ground displayed the message: “Thank you Ben Stokes” as the England captain watched from the dressing room after being dismissed for 30 hours on the fourth day evening.Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson held off New Zealand’s charge with 75 runs for the seventh wicket. Atkinson made 19 before being trapped lbw by Mitchell Santner just before lunch.Smith continued to fight after the break but his innings ended on 60 when Nathan Smith took a diving catch at long-on off Santner’s bowling. The dismissal effectively ended England’s resistance and sealed victory for the visitors.Nathan Smith finished the series as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets. He was the only member of the New Zealand speed attack to appear in every match of the series.“It would be great to win the series and win,” Stokes said, “but that’s in a perfect world and this world is definitely not perfect.”Four years ago, the Stokes-McCullum partnership began chasing 299 against New Zealand at this very venue. This victory became the opening chapter of what the cricketing world came to call Bazball. He promised fearless cricket and a team willing to risk defeat in the pursuit of victory.On Monday, it was New Zealand who walked away with the series. A team that was swept 3-0 at the birth of the baseball era returned to Trent Bridge to close it out with a 2-1 series win.The defeat also marked England’s first home loss of three or more Tests since 2012. They have now lost seven of their last nine Test matches, increasing the scrutiny of coach Brendon McCullum and chief executive Rob Key.