Ben Stokes’ England career looked certain to end in defeat, with the outgoing captain watching from the balcony as his England side slid to the brink in their series decider against New Zealand.After news of Stokes’ shock retirement dominated proceedings on day four at Trent Bridge, it was back to business as the Black Caps took three of the six wickets they needed to finish England off and take the Rothesay Series 2-1.At lunch the hosts were 191 for seven chasing an imposing 373, with Jamie Smith the last recognised batter on 47 not out.Joe Root was run out to deal an early blow to England’s hopes (Jacob King/PA). (PA Wire)England dug themselves a hole on Sunday evening, hitting the skids after Stokes reassembled the batting order and cast himself as a blitzkrieg opener, and could not lift themselves back out.From 103 for four overnight they lost their not out pair in the first 15 minutes, Emilio Gay caught behind and linchpin Joe Root run out by a brilliant direct hit.Despite the best efforts of Smith, who put on 75 with Surrey team-mate Gus Atkinson, a first home series defeat since Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge four years ago is close at hand.Not since 2012 have England lost a home series of at least three matches, a result that spelled the end of Andrew Strauss’ captaincy.England’s prospects had been largely extinguished when Stokes led them to the ground one final time, with 270 still to get on a pitch offering little reassurance.The equation, and the occasion, was too much for Gay. Making just his third Test appearance, and shunted down from opener to number six following the Stokes-inspired reshuffle, he endured a couple of near misses before departing in the fourth over.Emilio Gay was dismissed in the fourth over of the day (Jacob King/PA). (PA Wire)It was textbook stuff from Nathan Smith, swinging away from the left-hander and grazing the outside edge.Not for the first time, the weight of responsibility fell on Root’s shoulders, but he did not even face another delivery.Called through for a quick single from the non-striker’s end just four balls after Gay’s dismissal, he fell victim to an outstanding run out from Henry Nicholls.Picking up Smith’s dab to point he tumbled backwards and unleashed a low, flat throw at the one stump he had sight of and landed a remarkable direct hit. Root was out by a yard and on his way.A rapid finish looked to be in store for the crowd that had taken advantage of Nottinghamshire’s free-entry policy, but Jamie Smith and Atkinson stopped the rot.Shelving the histrionics that got the top order in trouble on the fourth evening, the pair opted for a more conservative approach as they held firm for 23 overs against a depleted attack.Jamie Smith reached lunch unbeaten on 47 (Jacob King/PA). (PA Wire)There were moments of uncertainty, mostly due to low and inconsistent bounce, but nothing fatal.Smith was alive to boundary options, whipping straight balls off his pads and clobbering Mitchell Santner for a big straight six, while Atkinson settled in to the supporting role.He was prised out shortly before the break, lbw to Santner’s left-arm spin for a gutsy 19.