New Zealand routed England by 423 runs on the fourth day of the third Test in Hamilton on Tuesday, claiming a consolation victory and sending out winner Tim Southee in his last match.
England, who had already sealed the series by winning the first two Tests, collapsed to 234 after lunch in an improbable chase for 658 runs and a series win.
Captain Ben Stokes, who is being treated for a left hamstring injury he suffered on Monday, did not bat in England’s second innings match to further hasten the outcome.
The end came quickly and England looked determined to fight back before the break, losing the last three wickets in 12 deliveries and adding three runs.
Mitchell Santner (4-85) was named Player of the Match after he ripped through England’s tail, handing New Zealand their biggest ever run win and inflicting their fourth-worst run defeat on the tourists.
“Obviously it’s nice to finish the match like that,” said New Zealand captain Tom Latham.
“We certainly knew we weren’t in the best shape in the first few games, but I think the way we came here and were able to adapt to the surface was very pleasing,” he added.
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Southee did not add to his remarkable sixes on Monday and will retire with 98, but in his final Test innings he took two wickets and retired with 391, the second highest score for a New Zealander behind Richard Hadlee.
“We’re certainly leaving one of the greats behind, but I’m sure he’s got a bright future ahead of him, whatever that may be,” Latham added.
Although the tourists were disappointed to end the competition with such a crushing defeat, even on Tuesday there were some positive aspects to be seen in becoming the first English team to win a series in New Zealand since 2008.
Jacob Bethell had earlier continued his impressive start to Test cricket with a third half-century of the series before scoring 76 to become Southee’s latest Test casualty.
Joe Root hit his 65th Test half-century before being dismissed by Santner on 54, but Harry Brook was unable to find the runs that played a key role in England’s victories in Christchurch and Wellington.
The Series pacer was facing six tackles in one run before New Zealand standout Will O’Rourke got him into trouble with the steep delivery that is quickly becoming his trademark. Gus Atkinson hit 43 off 41 for seven fours and one six in a defiant rearguard, but when he departed with a missed shot to Glenn Phillips from deep cover, the end was short lived.
“We want to go out and win every game we play,” Stokes said.
“It’s obviously disappointing that as a team we finished the way we did, but… in the first two Test matches it really mattered for us and that’s where we played our best cricket,” he added.
