Updated WTC points table after New Zealand's historic 2-1 series victory over England

New Zealand completed a 2-1 series victory over England, following a 160-run win in the third Test on Monday, June 29, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Chasing a massive target of 373 in the fourth innings, England were skittled for 212 by the second session as New Zealand took 36.2 overs to wrap things up on Day 5.

After Zakary Foulkes (3/52) ran through England’s top order on Day 4, Mitchell Santner (2/54) and Nathan Smith (2/64) scalped two wickets each on the final day to seal New Zealand’s fourth Test series win in England. It was the second time in their history that Kiwis went on to win a Test series after being 0-1 down.

The day began in the most disastrous manner possible for the hosts as Emilio Gay (10 off 17) returned to the pavilion in just the fourth over of the day, after Nathan Smith found his outside edge, which carried straight to wicketkeeper Tom Blundell.

Four balls later, England’s worst nightmare came true as Joe Root (18 off 17) got run out with Jamie Smith searching for a quick single to get off the mark, courtesy of a direct hit from Henry Nicholls. After two quick blows, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkison, showed some resistance, stitching a 75-run stand for the seventh wicket to reignite hopes in the English camp.

Jamie Smith fights lone battle on Day 5

However, Mitchell Santner nipped them in the bud by trapping Atkinson in front of the stumps on the stroke of lunch. In the second session, Jamie Smith continued to fight a lone battle, bringing up his eighth Test half-century. At the other end, wickets continued to tumble as Nathan Smith got Jofra Archer (2 off 19) caught behind.

Later, another piece of brilliance in the field led to Josh Tongue’s run out as Mitchell Santner’s direct hit found him short of his crease. Smith (60) became the last wicket to fall, getting holed out to long on as New Zealand registered a historic series win. It was England’s seventh loss in the last nine Test matches as Ben Stokes’ career came to an end on a losing note. 

Meanwhile, Daryl Mitchell was adjudged Player of the Match for his gritty century in the second innings, which helped extend New Zealand’s lead to 372. On the other hand, Nathan Smith was adjudged Player of the Series for finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 16 wickets from three matches, while Jofra Archer was England's Player of the Series after taking 11 wickets from two games.

Updated World Test Championship Points Table for 2025-27 Cycle