England v New Zealand LIVE: Stokes bows out after stunning retirement as hosts bid to avoid defeat in third Test

It’s the best part of 30 years since New Zealand last won on a Test series on English soil, with Tom Latham’s side close to emulating the achievements of 1999. They had Daryl Mitchell to thank for edging them closer yesterday – what a brave, bloody-minded hundred it was from him yesterday, shutting out the jeers of “boring, boring Mitchell” from the home fans to seemingly bat England out of the Test.

Lost a little in the Ben Stokes shuffle is that England are careering towards a series defeat. Joe Root (9*) and Emilio Gay (6*, having dropped down after Ben Stokes opened) will resume this morning on 103/4 requiring another 270 runs for an unlikely victory – and judging by their approach last night, the hosts won’t deadbat for a draw.

Ben Stokes has been indelibly linked to Brendon McCullum and Rob Key as England Test captain – so does it feel wrong that he is the one walking away first? Lawrence Ostlere makes that case:

One imagines there is a perhaps deeper reckoning of the reasons to come, but after retiring, Ben Stokes explained that he felt some of his trademark fight had gone.

England have seldom had someone quite like Ben Stokes – a man for the moment and of remarkable heart, fight and spirit. Richard Jolly pays tribute to a flawed but utterly, utterly fabulous cricketer.

It was at 15.25 on a sleepy Sunday afternoon that news of Ben Stokes’ retirement was announced – changing the face of this Test and plenty more besides.

It’s the morning after the night before, and Ben Stokes’ final day as an international cricketer is upon us. There is much more digesting to be done after a simply stunning and surreal afternoon and evening of Test cricket – but as their captain bows out, England are right in the mire and on the brink of series defeat.