England wrapped up their tour of New Zealand with a 2-1 Test series victory under the leadership of Ben Stokes.
Despite a poor performance in the third Test at Hamilton, where they suffered a crushing defeat by 423 runs—jointly the third-largest margin of loss in Test history in terms of runs—the series win marked another milestone for Stokes’ team. Harry Brook was named Player of the Series for his exceptional performances throughout.
However, the heavy loss in Hamilton left a bittersweet note. England’s defeat was compounded by the injury to captain Ben Stokes, who was forced to leave the field and couldn’t bat in the second innings. Stokes’ ongoing struggles with injuries have raised questions about his long-term fitness and future in the game.
Stokes addressed these concerns with a determined response. “I worked really hard to get myself into a position to play the role I did in this game, and it’s just one of those unfortunate things. But nah, I ain’t holding back,” he shared.
While maintaining a positive outlook, Stokes admitted his frustration at being unable to contribute during the critical moments of the match.
“Every time you walk onto the field as an athlete, you’re putting yourself at risk of injury, whether you feel great or not. I worked my arse off to get to where I was in this game, especially with my body. It’s just sod’s law—just when I felt young again, something happens.
“Walking off yesterday was incredibly disappointing and emotional,” Stokes added, reflecting on the missed opportunity to help his team.
England’s focus will now shift to addressing the captain’s fitness and preparing for upcoming challenges, as they continue to build on the momentum of their recent successes under Stokes’ leadership.