A defiant century from Graham Thorpe led England to a four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the third Test at Trent Bridge and clinched a 3-0 series whitewash on a fluctuating fourth day on Sunday.

Thorpe notched a cool-headed 104 not out and Ashley Giles was unbeaten with 36 as England reached their victory target of 284 to take their first series whitewash over the Kiwis in 26 years.

"I was proud to be there at the end. It was key to get a few partnerships and put the Kiwis under pressure," Thorpe said after the game.

Also Read Special: Cairns... and able

New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns, celebrating his 34th birthday and playing in his 62nd and final Test, had earlier threatened to turn the game New Zealand's way with four wickets to go with his five for 79 in the first innings.

But man-of-the-match Thorpe and Giles, who earlier impressed with the ball taking four for 46, steered the home side to victory as a depleted New Zealand attack tired in the evening sun.

Mark Butcher scored a resolute 59 before Cairns trapped him lbw with the last ball before tea that nipped back.

Cairns induced Andrew Flintoff (5) to mis-hit a drive to substitute fielder Hamish Marshall.

The former Nottinghamshire player earlier dispatched England captain Michael Vaughan lbw for 10 but was fortunate with the dismissal of Andrew Strauss.

The England opener was adjudged lbw for six in another controversial decision by Australian umpire Simon Taufel after several dubious calls in Saturday's play.

Marcus Trescothick soon followed, lobbing a simple catch back to bowler James Franklin for nine.

SHOWED VERVE

Franklin, who was only called into the squad from local league cricket in England last week, showed some of the verve the Kiwi pace attack has missed on tour without the injured Shane Bond.

Geraint Jones fell for 27, playing a wayward shot to Jacob Oram at gully off Franklin.

Cairn's exploits and the closeness of the match were all the more impressive given Chris Martin and debutant Kyle Mills were both unable to bowl, nursing injuries picked up in England's first innings.

New Zealand were dismissed for 218 in the morning session after resuming their second innings 190 for five.

Giles, often criticised for not spinning the ball enough, bowled Cairns with a beauty for one.

The New Zealand all-rounder was given a stirring ovation from the crowd and the England players on leaving the crease for the final time on his former home ground.

England man of the series Steve Harmison became 2004's leading Test wicket taker with 44 dismissals when he struck Craig McMillan (30) on the pads and Andrew Flintoff took a sharp catch at slip to dispatch Oram for nought.

England's victory represented the fourth highest total obtained by a team batting fourth in Tests in England.

The last time they completed a whitewash over New Zealand was in 1978 in another 3-0 home series victory under Mike Brearley.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings): 384 (S.Fleming 117, S.Styris 108, M.Richardson 73)

England (1st innings): 319 (M.Trescothick 63, M.Vaughan 61, A.Flintoff 54)

New Zealand (2nd innings): (overnight 190-5)
M.Richardson lbw Giles 49
S.Fleming lbw Flintoff 45
B.McCullum c Flintoff b Giles 4
S.Styris c Jones b Harmison 39
N.Astle lbw Flintoff 0
C.McMillan lbw Harmison 30
J.Franklin c Jones b Flintoff 17
J.Oram c Flintoff b Harmison 0
C.Cairns b Giles 1
K.Mills c Harmison b Giles 8
C.Martin not out 0.

Extras: (b-1, lb-21, nb-3) 25.

Total: (all out, 81 overs) 218

Fall of wickets: 1-94, 2-106, 3-126, 4-134, 5-185, 6-198, 7-198, 8-208, 9-210

Bowling: Hoggard 6-2-25-0 (nb-1), Harmison 25-7-51-3 (nb-1), Saggers 6-2-14-0, Flintoff 20-3-60-3 (nb-1), Giles 24-6-46-4.

England (2nd innings):
M.Trescothick c and b Franklin 9
A.Strauss lbw Cairns 6
M.Butcher lbw Cairns 59
M.Vaughan lbw Cairns 10
G.Thorpe not out 104
A.Flintoff c sub b Cairns 5
G.Jones c Oram b Franklin 27
A.Giles not out 36.

Extras: (b-4, lb-16, nb-8) 28.

Total: (for six wickets, 71.3 overs) 284

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-16, 3-46, 4-134, 5-162, 6-214

Did not bat: M.Hoggard, M.Saggers, S.Harmison

Bowling: Cairns 25-2-108-4 (6-nb), Franklin 17-3-59-2 Richardson 1-0-4-0, Oram 14.3-0-50-0 (2-nb), Styris 14-1-43-0.

Result: England won by four wickets

First Test: Lord's, London - England won by seven wickets

Second Test: Headingley, Leeds - England won by nine wickets

England won the series 3-0