Twitter Reactions: New Zealand give Tim Southee fitting farewell by demolishing England in third Test

The three-match Test series between New Zealand and England came to an end on Tuesday, December 17, as the Kiwis registered a mammoth 423-run win, their joint-biggest in terms of runs in the longest format of the game. New Zealand gave a fitting farewell to the legendary Tim Southee, whose international career came to an end with the result.

England started Day 4 of the third Test at 18/2 as they lost their openers on the previous day. Overnight batters Jacob Bethell and Joe Root combined to form an enterprising 104-run partnership off just 125 balls, much to the delight of the English fans at home and in the stands. The former England captain eventually departed for a brisk 54 off 64 balls as he was out LBW to Mitchell Santner. Harry Brook followed up his golden duck in the first innings by getting out for one in the second.

Bethell departed for 76 after facing 96 deliveries, belting 13 fours and a solitary six. He became Southee's only victim on Day 4. New Zealand made light work of England's lower order after Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson added 49 runs off 51 balls for the sixth wicket. The last five English wickets fell for just 19 runs as New Zealand won the match comprehensively. The Three Lions were dismissed for 234 in the fourth innings but won the three-match series by a 2-1 margin.

Santner was the pick of the bowlers for the Blackcaps as he finished with figures of 4/85 from 14.2 overs. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Southee bagged two wickets apiece. The talented William O'Rourke accounted for the wicket of Brook, who won the Player of the Series award for his sensational performances across the three games. Santner, on the other hand, won the Player of the Match award as he scored 76 and 49 with the bat and also picked up seven wickets with the ball.

Here's how 'X' users reacted to New Zealand's thumping Hamilton win: