Image source, Getty Images

More from Ben Stokes to Test Match Special's Jonathan Agnew on the timing of his decision to quit: "I accept people might be asking questions. But end of the day it's a decision I have taken. I hope people can respect that, but I have understanding people might be scratching heads wondering why and there could be many reasons. I think the most important reason, and one people can respect, is I I am taking this decision because I feel it's the best thing for me."

On whether the event of the last few weeks have had anything to do with it: " There has been a series of unfortunate events happen which I'm sure over the next few weeks you will be able to decompress and say 'has it contributed? Maybe?' But there's an overriding factor over the last few months that everything I have done over a long period of time has taken it's toll. Being in this role as captain - as good as it, as exciting as it and as a bigger honour as it is - there is some negative effects to doing it. I guess that's the unfortunate side people don't always get to see. As good as it is there's some moments that test you and sometimes you feel like you have just had enough of it."

On whether he will really just watch the Ashes from the sofa next summer: "I don't know how we have gone from yesterday to asking me about the Ashes next year! Over the next year I am not sure...you know...physically I won't be able to be in shape rocking up there. [Playing for Duham] is a little different.

"People cam say they what they want to so. I am content with everything right now. Have an opinion about they want to do. I am incredibly content with everything right now. It's a decision you don't take lightly. It has taken a lot of time. I've spoken to a lot of people close to me. I am done, mate. And I am very happy. I think it would be nice for people to understand that, for everything that has gone the past few weeks, let's not focus on that too much. I have come out, I've said it, and I'm happy and hopefully people understand."

New Zealand player of the series, Nathan Smith: "It's always nice to have the ball in your hand when you've got a Test match to win.

"I pride myself in being able to adapt to whatever is there, be it with the new ball or old ball. It's a shame that we got struck by injuries but it shows the strength of our squad that we could call on guys from the sidelines to come in and do a really good job.

"In England, the ball does get soft so we have to bring the stumps in a little bit more. We talk about being relentless with our line and length.

"I think Tm Blundell really changed the series by coming up to the stumps at the Oval."

Jofra Archer, England player of the series: "Honestly, it's been really good, I've put a lot of work in, to be rewarded - I still don't know how I got this. All of the lads have been putting shifts in.

"Sometimes you're going to have aches and pains but you've got to go through it. You've got guys at the other end who will have trained as much as you, so you've got to go through it. The hardest thing is drifting in the field, you can be out there a day and half, you've got to be mentally strong."

On Ben Stokes' retirement: "Not just as a captain, but as a friend. Someone you can always go to, someone you can bounce ideas off. It's going to be a big miss.

"I think the hardest part is imagining the changing room without him. Every game I've played he's been there. Him being gone, I don't want to look forward to it, we don't have a choice now but it's going to take some getting used to."

Player of the match Daryl Mitchell: "This is very special for our group. We came over with the goal of the winning the series. It's really cool. Really proud of every single squad member who at some stage who has stepped up.

"I was really pleased with how calm we were with that loss [at Lord's]. We went to business at The Oval and here, different pitches.

"We spoke about partnerships were really crucial for us. Rachin is an amazing talent with a great skill set. It got us to a total to defend. We put a lot of work in our fielding, the two run-outs today should guys are engaged and showing everything they've got."

Image source, Getty Images

More from outgoing England captain Ben Stokes to Test Match Special: "I will miss everything to do with this. I guess that's part of getting older. There's lot of things you are going to miss. There's some things, maybe, you are glad you don't have to do any more.

"It's been a great ride and I've enjoyed every single minute of it. When I first start out as a player, moving into more of a leadership role and then the last four and half years being captain has been absolutely fantastic.

"It would have been great to go out with a series win, that's in a perfect world. But I'm very happy with what I've managed to achieve as a player and a captain You always feel like you want more but I have given a lot of myself to the shirt. There's a lot of sacrifice that's gone into into it. Not just myself, but other people. There's quite a few emotions knowing you're not going to be doing this anymore. There's sadness but a bit of excitement there today as well."

Outgoing England captain Ben Stokes, speaking to Test Match Special: "It was a hard fought game. A pretty tough one to be involved in. The game going down to the fifth day they are mentally and physically tiring. I think the way both teams stuck at it, kept coming in pretty testing conditions, I think we testament to the hard work both teams showed towards playing the sport.

"I think we did pretty well [first innings] to the total New Zealand ended up putting on the board. As the game went on you could see what the weather did to the pitch. It was docile in the first day and a half then the heat started to bake the wicket. It bcame more up and down. That's one of things about Test cricket - one day is different to the day before it.

"Conditions changed and having to adapt to that, I think both teams did pretty well. Looking back at the start and New Zealand were 320 for none and the way we were able to fight back into the game by being pretty relentless with the ball. It was always going to be a difficult run chase on that wicket which was getting worse and worse. There were some pretty dangerous things flying around up and down. It was a game of trying to stick in and make the most of it when it counted."

Ben Stokes' international career comes to an end, and might this match mark the end of the road for a few others in the England set-up?

The England train never stops - they play India in a T20 at Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, the first of eight white-ball matches against that opposition in July.

The Hundred follows, so we've got a bit of a gap until the next Test, which begins against Pakistan at Headingley on 19 August.

Plenty of time for events, dear boy.

Matthew Henry
BBC Sport journalist at Trent Bridge

There have been no big emotional scenes from Ben Stokes. A hug for most of the New Zealand players on the boundary edge and now he wanders over to speak to Aggers.

Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I hope the Ben Stokes situation doesn't overshadow New Zealand winning this series. It's huge credit to the resolve, skill, attitude and resilience of this side. They have thoroughly deserved it.

There's huge admiration and respect for New Zealand captain Tom Latham for the way he has managed his side. They kept together, kept plugging away and have been superb.

I wonder what word is for a double reset for England?

Daniel Norcross
Test Match Special commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

It's the last rites for Ben Stokes, and last rites for Bazball. New Zealand have won a Test here with barely a fit bowler. Their fielding was lightning today. They have been tremendous opponents across all three Tests.

Steven Finn
Former England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Nathan Smith fittingly takes the catch which wins New Zealand the series. Jamie Smith was looking to hit out in a hopeless situation for England.

A famous victory for New Zealand and their first series win on English soil since 1999 - and they deserve it.

Shoaib Bashir is the last man out for England.

He blocks out a few deliveries from Nathan Smith and then knocks the last ball of the over into the covers.

There's a single there, and New Zealand are happy to let him have it, but Bashir will let Jamie Smith have the strike in the next over.

A wicket maiden for Smith, who now has figures of 2-64 from 16 overs.

Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Mitchell Santner swooped and slung it with deadly accuracy. Any hope of Josh Tongue blocking it and Jamie Smith whacking it is over.

Steven Finn
Former England fast bowler on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

An outstanding piece of fielding from Mitchell Santner! It's almost as if Josh Tongue didn't know the fielder was there. England lose another.

Sir Alastair Cook
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Jamie Smith started well in his Test career and there was always going to be a bit of a dip. One of his strengths is he can take down bowlers but has a decent technique.

Two more fours to finish the over!

He slog sweeps Mitchell Santner through mid-wicket and then drags a shot through long-on.