England handed New Zealand control of the Rothesay Series decider with a stuttering batting display on day three at Trent Bridge.
Ben Duckett’s restorative century had given the hosts a chance to establish a crucial first-innings lead but they faltered from 223 for two overnight to be dismissed for 354 at tea.
That collapse of eight for 131 allowed the tourists to take an 84-run advantage that looked worth its weight in gold on a pitch that was starting to misbehave after two serene days under the sun.
The tone for England’s struggles was established early, with Joe Root, Jacob Bethell and Jamie Smith all falling in the first six overs of the day. A stand of 56 between Harry Brook and Ben Stokes briefly halted the decline but the New Zealanders continued to push.
Kiwi concussion substitute Zak Foulkes clean bowled both men, darting one back into Stokes from round the wicket before lunch and skidding one through Brook after he moved to 59 in the afternoon session.
Brook was England’s last serious hope of overhauling New Zealand’s 438 and they duly lost their last three wickets for four runs.
Nathan Smith put England up against it with an outstanding opening spell, continuing Joe Root’s recent habits of falling lbw to seaming deliveries and being given to tight DRS decisions.
By the time Smith added a second – the struggling Jamie Smith nicking to slip for just one to continue a difficult outing – his bowling partner Will O’Rourke had already got in on the act as well.
He sent back Jacob Bethell, fencing to slip without adding to his overnight 74. Stokes did his best to replicate his heroics with the ball but failed to conquer his own lack of rhythm at the crease.
Having scrambled 15 difficult runs, including two thick edges that had Devon Conway interested at gully, he was flat-footed as Foulkes found some handy movement off the pitch.
The role of saviour fell to Brook, who was beaten on the outside and dug out an inswinging yorker from O’Rourke before scoring his first run. He made an enterprising 58 but had no answer when Foulkes hunted down his off stump.
Gus Atkinson showed some heart, lasting more than two hours for his 23, but the tail was not strong enough to paper over the cracks as the last three were toppled inside four overs.
