Under the leadership of Tom Latham, New Zealand secured a commanding 160-run victory against England in the third Test at Trent Bridge, concluding the series with a 2-1 win. This match also marked a significant moment as it was the last international appearance for Ben Stokes, who faced his first home series defeat both as a player and captain.

Stokes' captaincy, which began with a 3-0 series win over New Zealand at home in 2022, ended disappointingly as New Zealand reversed the outcome this time. The defeat also halted England's impressive unbeaten streak at home in series of three or more Tests, a record that had stood since 2012.

Chasing a daunting target of 373 runs, England crumbled to 212 all out on the final day, losing wickets rapidly in the morning. The collapse commenced early as New Zealand's bowlers struck decisively. Nathan Smith, with figures of 2/64 in 16 overs, led the bowling attack and emerged as the series' standout bowler, supported by sharp fielding that included crucial catches and run-outs.

England's top order struggled to form partnerships, with significant players like Joe Root (18) and Harry Brook (21) dismissed cheaply. A pivotal run-out further tilted the momentum in favor of New Zealand. Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith fought back with a resilient 60 runs off 91 balls, while Gus Atkinson (19) provided minimal support. However, New Zealand's bowlers, including Zakary Foulkes (3/52 in 11.1 overs) and Mitchell Santner (2/54 in 14.2 overs), consistently broke through, leading to a swift conclusion of the innings shortly after lunch.

This victory marked New Zealand's fourth Test series win in England, showcasing their strong performances throughout the match. A remarkable 317-run opening partnership between Tom Latham and Devon Conway in the first innings, along with a century from Daryl Mitchell in the second innings, laid the foundation for their success.

The match was overshadowed by the announcement of Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket prior to Day 4. In his final Test, Stokes made a brief yet entertaining appearance, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls after promoting himself to open. His career is highlighted by significant achievements, including a match-winning performance in the 2019 ODI World Cup final and memorable Test victories, notably the Headingley Ashes win in 2019.

Nathan Smith was named Player of the Match for New Zealand, having taken 16 wickets across the series, while Jofra Archer earned the title of Player of the Series for England with 11 wickets. Additionally, Tom Latham's leadership places him among a select group of captains who have won Test series in both England and India, joining legends like John Goddard and Imran Khan.