England triumphed by eight wickets, chasing down 103 on the fourth day in quick time. While there were several standout performances, including a ten-wicket haul for Brydon Carse and 171 from Harry Brook, New Zealand will rue their profligacy with both bat and in the field. In the first innings in particular, several batters were out playing attacking strokes, while there were eight dropped catches in England's innings, with Brook put down five times alone.

It's a result that deals a significant blow to New Zealand's World Test Championship hopes, unexpectedly alive coming into the series following a historic 3-0 whitewash of India in India. Their points won per points contested (PCT) has now dropped to exactly 50, level with Sri Lanka in fourth. Even if they come back to beat England 2-1, they will reach just 57.14 PCT, which would not have been enough to make the final in either of the first two editions, and with five teams in the hunt for the 2025 showpiece, is unlikely to be enough this time either.

England's slim hopes were extinguished by a series defeat in Pakistan, but they have boosted their PCT to 43.75. Even a 3-0 series win would not see them break the 50 PCT barrier, but it would at least ensure they outdo their 2021-23 total of 47 PCT.

Updated WTC points table: New Zealand level with Sri Lanka