ENG vs NZ, Live: Bells toll for Bazball as England stare at defeat in Stokes' farewell

The cameras caught a glimpse inside the New Zealand dressing room before play, and Daryl Mitchell was bearing the marks of his century yesterday. Some nasty bruising on show, a reminder of just how gritty that knock was.

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.6 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.5 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.4 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.3 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.2 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (16.1 overs)

Nathan Smith (7-0-48-0) will bowl from the opposite end.

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 110/4 (15.6 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 106/4 (15.5 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 105/4 (15.4 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 105/4 (15.3 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 105/4 (15.2 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 103/4 (15.1 overs)

Ready for the final day to get going at Trent Bridge. Several placards in love for Stokes can be seen in the crowd. Joe Root and Emilio Gay are the two overnight batters for England. Will O'Rourke will get things rolling with the ball. FYI, he got a cut on his finger on the fourth day, but seems to be fine for now. His index finger on his left hand is strapped up as well. Right, two slips in place. Here we go...

Tick-tock, tick-tock - Just about 5 minutes left, folks. New Zealand are indeed in command, but they will be eager to get Root out of their way as early as possible. A big first hour is on the cards. Let's see who trumps it. And yes, the succession question lingers in the background. Brook or Root for the captaincy? Plenty to chew on as we get underway.

ENG vs NZ, Third Test Live: New Zealand close in as England face survival test

Everything now points towards a gripping final day at Trent Bridge. New Zealand have one hand on both the Test and the series after setting England a target of 383. The visitors already hold the advantage with England reduced to 103/4 at stumps, still requiring another 270 runs. Joe Root remains at the crease and will carry England's hopes, but New Zealand's bowlers have repeatedly found assistance from a pitch that is becoming increasingly difficult to bat on. The day also carries emotional significance as it marks the final chapter of Ben Stokes' international career. His attacking 30 gave England early momentum, but regular wickets prevented the hosts from taking control. Whether England attempt another daring Bazball chase or simply fight for survival, the final day is set to decide not only the series but also how Stokes' remarkable Test career will be remembered.

ENG vs NZ, Third Test Live: Archer, Stokes keep England alive with the ball

England's bowlers never allowed New Zealand to score freely despite the visitors beginning the day in a strong position. Jofra Archer struck early by removing Tom Blundell and later claimed his fourth wicket when Nathan Smith edged a short ball through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Ben Stokes delivered another remarkable spell, bowling 11 consecutive overs despite the physical demands.

He eventually dismissed Zakary Foulkes after ending a stubborn partnership, with the wicket coming shortly after news broke that this would be his final international match. Jamie Smith also played a key role behind the stumps by convincing Stokes to review successfully against Mitchell Santner. Earlier in the day, Shoaib Bashir denied Rachin Ravindra a deserved century by trapping him lbw for 94. England's disciplined effort restricted New Zealand's scoring rate, but Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten century ensured the visitors still declared with a commanding advantage.

ENG vs NZ, Third Test Live: Daryl Mitchell's hundred pushes England to the brink

Daryl Mitchell produced another innings of patience and determination to leave England facing an uphill task. Resuming on 64 from 214 deliveries, Mitchell carefully rebuilt New Zealand's innings before accelerating in the final session. He struck Josh Tongue for a four and a six before finding more boundaries off Gus Atkinson and Jofra Archer. Mitchell eventually completed his sixth Test century with a boundary and a single off Atkinson, remaining unbeaten on 100 when New Zealand declared on 288/9.

His innings came despite regular wickets falling around him and difficult batting conditions on a surface offering uneven bounce. Rachin Ravindra had earlier contributed 94, narrowly missing a century himself. Their efforts helped New Zealand turn an already healthy lead into a target of 383. Mitchell's unbeaten century could prove to be the defining innings of the match if New Zealand complete victory on the final day.

ENG vs NZ, Third Test Live Score: England attack hard but New Zealand strike back

England needed 383 to win and Ben Stokes ensured they began the chase in true Bazball fashion. Opening the batting in his final Test innings, Stokes attacked from the very beginning and gave England early momentum. Zakary Foulkes replaced the injured Will O'Rourke during the opening over and immediately found himself under pressure as Stokes launched him for six. England raced beyond fifty at an impressive pace, but the aggressive approach also brought wickets.

Stokes fell for 30 after finding mid-on, while Jacob Bethell departed in the same over after leaving a straight delivery and unsuccessfully reviewing the lbw decision. Harry Brook briefly counterattacked with a six and three fours before falling for 21 from just nine deliveries. Ben Duckett made 36 before Ben Sears returned to remove him at slip. By stumps, England had slipped to 103/4, still needing another 270 runs, with Joe Root carrying their hopes into the final day.

England vs New Zealand, Third Test Day 5 Live Score: Ben Stokes signs off with one final flourish

The fourth day at Trent Bridge became much more than just another day in a Test match. It turned into a farewell for Ben Stokes, who announced that this third Test would be his final appearance for England. True to his style, Stokes refused to fade quietly. He bowled an extended spell through the second session before making a surprise move by promoting himself to open the batting in England's chase of 383. The England captain entertained one last time, smashing 30 off just 20 balls with fearless strokeplay.

He struck Zakary Foulkes for a six straight down the ground, scoop-flicked Nathan Smith for another maximum and raced England past fifty. His innings ended when he holed out to mid-on, but before leaving the field for the final time, New Zealand players rushed to shake his hand while the Trent Bridge crowd rose for a standing ovation. It was a farewell that reflected everything Stokes has represented throughout his Test career.

Weatherman winks at the seamers - Reports coming from Nottingham reveal that it is set for a pleasant day. The temperatures are expected to touch 23 degrees Celsius under a largely cloudy sky with a bit of a breeze as well. The Black Caps won't mind that one bit.

Root, a splinter in Kiwi flesh - With the likes of Duckett, Brook, Bethell and of course, Stokes, gone, the target of 373 looks 5x bigger now. But the man standing between New Zealand and a series win is Joe Root. The longer Root bats, the more the Kiwis will feel frustrated. With 986 Test runs alone at Trent Bridge at an average of more than 65, including five hundreds and a couple of half tons, Root has the ability to bat on any kind of surface, there is no doubt about that. But with just one fifty-plus score so far, he has not had the best of series, and asking him to single-handedly save a Test is a tall order. Emilio Gay, at the other end, has had a hit-and-miss debut series too, and this is a big opportunity for him to prove his credentials. And with Jamie Smith, the last recognised batter to come, the question is how long they can hold on to the inevitable. So, 270 runs to win for England, with New Zealand six wickets away, the result might be predictable, but there is plenty of fight left. So hop along as the first ball of the final day is not that far.

A poetic finale - At least for Stokes, it was indeed one. His family and beloved ones were there in the stands, watching. Whether the timing of the announcement was deliberate or not, it reshaped the entire afternoon. The Test match continued, but everyone was watching Ben Stokes, every movement, every over. And when he came back, ten or so minutes before tea, about to start the 11th over of another marathon spell, the standing ovation began before he had even delivered a ball. And in his 252nd Test wicket, which was also his last scalp, when Foulkes nicked one through to second slip, Brook taking it cleanly, the ground erupted in a way that only a farewell can produce. The captain who detested the draw, lived up to his promise but it was reckless in the end from the Englishmen, especially the choice of shots. The 50-run opening stand did arrive in just 7.2 overs, with Duckett barely noticeable amid Stokes' opening dance. New Zealand were jumpy, spreading the field as if Stokes had a hundred to his name. But he fell in the end to an ungainly pull, but by then, the point had been made. But at 103/4 going into the final day, England are under extreme pressure to save this Test, with the fate inevitably locked in.

Can the Kiwis fly? Not realistically. But in the midst of all this, New Zealand are quietly confident they are just an arm's length away from creating a bit of history of their own. They are on the verge of winning their fourth Test series on English soil, having done so thrice before, in 1986, 1999 and 2021 (this was a 2-match series). Six wickets away from executing that, and on a completely worn Nottingham surface, they will fancy their chances, even with an inexperienced and depleted bowling attack. The reason New Zealand find themselves in such a commanding position is this very bowling unit, and the arrival of Zakary Foulkes as a concussion substitute for Tickner has proven to be a blessing in disguise. Three wickets in the first innings, and another three-wicket haul in the second already and counting. He has been the standout bowler for the tourists in this Test already. But before that, it was Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell’s brilliance with the bat, which laid the perfect foundation of New Zealand’s commanding position. Their bravery has set New Zealand on course for the first win in a series of three Tests or more by a visiting team in England since 2012.

The final act - Nothing in this world is permanent. Not the wins, not the losses, not the players who made you fall in love with the game. You have good days, you have bad days, back and forth. Everything runs its course. Time never stops, changes never pause. No, this is not a philosophy class, folks, relax. But we are sure that it has been a bit too much to sink in whatever’s happened in the last 24 hours or so. Sunday was one of those days that gave both a huge shock with a slice of a watershed moment. History arrived quietly at Belfast, where Ireland clean swept India in the shortest format, a moment that deserved more attention than it got. But before that, by around 14.25 GMT, Nottingham had taken over everything. A statement. A confirmation. One of the pinch-yourself moments. Ben Stokes will not play Test cricket again after this. And boom. Just like that, things got emotional in the English camp. A side already staring at a series defeat, on the final day of the final Test of the Stokes-McCullum era. Hello and welcome to day five at Trent Bridge.

27 years' wait - About to come to an end? The last time New Zealand won a 3-match bilateral Test series in England, was way back in 1999, with the great Stephen Fleming leading the tourist side against Nasser Hussain's England. They did win a series in 2021, but that was a 2-match series, which went 1-0 in favour of the visitors. Additionally, with the series renamed as the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy in 2024, and England winning it in the opening edition, New Zealand have a great chance to level terms, especially away from home, as a fitting comeback. There is the World Test Championship cycle to play for as well. The stage is set. 6 wickets needed, opposition needing 270 more runs, not too many batters to come and the pitch competing nicely with Sudoku, making players guessing about the bounce. The weather is set to be fair as well. The odds are on New Zealand for the final day of the series. Will the hosts be able to provide a dramatic finale, giving their skipper a fitting farewell? The first ball on Day 5 is scheduled to be bowled at 10 am GMT, on Monday, 29th June, 2026, but our buildup will begin much earlier. So do tune in early. Until then, ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Rubbing it in - To turn things around, England needed quick wickets on Day 4. They couldn't quite manage that and in addition, they found a stubborn resistance in Daryl Mitchell, who simply did not let them go past him, taking numerous blows on his body. The luck also did not go their way, with plenty of edges landing in no man's land. Then, when it was the hosts' turn to bat, they tried to put pressure on the Kiwis but the visitors maintained their steadfast approach in their bowling, even though they went for runs. They lost two key bowlers but did not lose hope and suddenly, from 50/0, they snared 4 wickets in the span of roughly 7 overs. Playing this match as a concussion substitute, Zakary Foulkes, picked up 3 wickets while the injured Ben Sears, who was off the field due to being hit on his bowling arm while batting, bounced out Ben Duckett in his opening and only over. In short, the tourists showed the hosts how to battle in alien conditions, especially when things are not going your way. Take a bow.

What was the message, lads? This question needs to be asked again and again to the English batting order. One could understand Ben Stokes' perspective, and one could also understand that the batters were trying to take the shine off the new ball, aiming to get the Kiwis off their lines and lengths. But in that process, they played one shot too many and have actually ended up gifting three wickets off the four to fall. Leave aside Ben Duckett's dismissal, which was a beauty, the rest were all thrown away. Additionally, with Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke off the park due to injuries, the English batters just needed to play positive cricket, rather than overattacking cricket. They have racked up runs at nearly 7 an over - but with 4 wickets down, only one team is looking likely to win from here on and it is the fielding side.

A brave warrior - Benjamin Andrew Stokes. A true fighter. Never shy of a contest. Be it single-handedly destroying oppositions with the bat, or just playing out countless balls without scoring a run, keeping the opponent at bay, or providing crucial breakthroughs time and time again with the ball, through rough and long spells in testing conditions - he has done it all. On Day 4 too, through two long spells, he gave it his all, but unfortunately for him, the Kiwis had the answers. Then, with the bat, he tried to spring a surprise, coming out to open, trying to go out with a bang and succeeded for a short while. The skipper flirted with his luck but played along, racing to 30 (19) in a stand of 50 (43), before the 20th ball got him. More than the runs, it was the approach which thrilled the crowd, as Stokes sent out a message that he is not going to back down, however big the target might be. He ends his last knock in thrilling fashion, though his fans would have wanted him to score a Test ton.

Much-needed break! End of a bizarre mini session. England have caused self-inflicting damage by some outrageous shots and the result of that is the Black Caps have one foot on the door to victory. The target is a very steep one, a mammoth 373, but the hosts have chosen to end Ben Stokes' career with a Bazballing tribute. While the runs have come at a brisk pace, unfortunately, they have also lost a cluster of wickets.

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 103/4 (14.6 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 103/4 (14.5 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 102/4 (14.4 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 100/4 (14.3 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 96/4 (14.2 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 96/4 (14.1 overs)

Should be a nightwatchman in now. No, it is the original opener - Emilio Gay - who has been pushed down at number 6, replacing Ben Duckett. To make matters worse, Gay is on a pair as well. Mitchell Santner comes into bowl what could be the final over of the day.

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 95/4 (13.6 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 95/3 (13.5 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 94/3 (13.4 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 94/3 (13.3 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 93/3 (13.2 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 92/3 (13.1 overs)

Finally, a bowling change. Ben Sears will test his bowling arm, with around 10 minutes left for Stumps. Meanwhile, another Test match comes to a close. The first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka has ended within 4 days, with West Indies winning by a massive margin of an INNINGS AND 217 RUNS. After Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase's massive 401-run stand helped the hosts gain a lead of 318, Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales blew the Lankans away in their second innings for 101, sharing 7 wickets between them. That is some serious statement.

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 92/3 (12.6 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 92/3 (12.5 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 91/3 (12.4 overs)

England vs New Zealand Live Score : 90/3 (12.3 overs)