Top 5 Tests played between England and New Zealand

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England v India: 2nd Investec Test - Day Five
Matt Prior

Over the last quarter of a century, Test series between England and New Zealand have almost always been closely contested affairs, throwing up some of the most exciting games in recent memory.

In the early years of the rivalry, England dominated, but from the 1970s, New Zealand started asserting their class, and after the emergence of players like Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe, it became a far more even contest.

Now that the two nations are about to go head to head in a Test series in New Zealand, it is perhaps a good time to take a look at 5 of the most exciting Test matches that these two teams have been involved in.

#5 Draw at Auckland, 2013

This was a game in which England had no right to walk away with a draw but that is exactly what they did, at Auckland in 2013 when the last pair defended doggedly to deny New Zealand a victory.

With the series locked at 0-0, the 3rd Test at Auckland was the decider and batting first, the hosts did well to put up 443 in their first innings. The innings was powered by opening batsman Peter Fulton's 136 and Kane Williamson's 91. In response, the England innings folded for 204 as they had no answer to Trent Boult's swing and pace. The left-arm fast bowler finished with figures of 6 for 68.

The Test was New Zealand's for the taking and they drove home the advantage in the 2nd innings. Fulton scored another century (110) and New Zealand accelerated, eventually declaring at 241 for 6 after 57.2 overs.

The target for the visitors was 481. England's only hope was to come away with a draw but at the end of the fourth day, they had been reduced to 90 for 4. Things did not improve much on the 5th day as they slumped to 159 for 6. However, Ian Bell and Matt Prior provided some resistance before Prior got together with Stuart Broad to bat out 29 overs.

Eventually, it came down to Prior and number 11 Monty Panesar and the duo was taked with batting out 3.1 overs. New Zealand surrounded the batsmen with all 9 fielders but the last pair held on to escape with a famous draw.

#4 199-run win for New Zealand at Leeds, 2015

New Zealand v Australia - 2nd Test: Day 4
Kane Williamson

Having already lost the first Test of the 2-match series, New Zealand arrived in Leeds needing a result in what turned out to be a scintillating game that was decided in a second innings shootout. England put the Kiwis in to bat first and despite Stuart Broad's 5 wicket haul, New Zealand managed to get 350 through an 84 from Tom Latham and contributions lower down the order.

In response, England were going well and were placed comfortably at 215-1, when opener Adam Lyth was run out. After that, Tim Southee and Trent Boult triggered a collapse that saw them get dismissed for 350. So, the game became all about the 2nd innings.

Barring Martin Guptill's 70, the Kiwi top order did not do much but wicketkeeper BJ Watling scored a superb 120 and through contributions from Brendon McCullum and the tailenders, New Zealand declared at 448 for 8. England ended the 4th day at 55-0 and although they were not expected to chase down the target, they were well placed to get a draw.

However, that was not to be as New Zealand put in a superb team performance and spinner Mark Craig, along with part-time spinner Kane Williamson, picked up 3 wickets on a 5th-day pitch to dismiss the hosts for 255.

#3 4-wicket win for England at Christchurch, 1997

Mike Atherton
Mike Atherton

Winning a series-clinching Test match away from home after conceding a big first innings lead is one of the biggest achievements for any team and England managed that at Christchurch back in 1997.

England won the toss and put the hosts in to bat. Although no one got a big score, there were meaningful contributions throughout and New Zealand ended up scoring 346. When England batted, left-arm fast bowler Geoff Allott proved to be New Zealand's trump card as he picked up 4 wickets, bowling the visitors out for 228.

Despite gaining a substantial 118-run first innings lead, New Zealand could not drive home the advantage and were dismissed for 186. England spinner Phil Tufnell and fast bowler Darren Gough picked up 3 wickets each.

Chasing 305 to win in around 5 sessions, England captain Mike Atherton produced a superb innings of 118 and despite the loss of wickets, the lower order consisting of John Crawley (40) and Dominic Cork (39) made crucial contributions to see the chase through.

#2 83 runs win for New Zealand at Oval, 1999

Enter captio
Chris Cairns

The 4-Test series was tied 1-1 when the teams arrived at the Oval for the fourth and final Test of the series. England chose to field first and their move was vindicated when New Zealand slumped to 87 for 6.

However, captain Stephen Fleming played a patient innings of 62 and Daniel Vettori struck a quick 51 lower down the order to take the final total to 236. It didn't look like enough but when New Zealand bowled, they proved that they had scored enough and Chris Cairns' swing bowling proved too much for the hosts as they crumbled for 153 all out.

New Zealand now had a lead of 83 but England hit back hard in the second innings and their fast bowlers led by Andrew Caddick, Alan Mullaly and Ed Giddins did most of the damage to reduce the Kiwis to 39 for 6.

Just when it looked like New Zealand had blown it, all-rounder Chris Cairns rose to the occasion and hit a 93 ball 80 (8 fours, 4 sixes) and helped them to a score of 162. England now needed 246 to win the Test and the series. They started badly and lost two early wickets but Mike Atherton and Graham Thorpe steadied the ship somewhat to take the score to 123 for 2.

That's when Shayne O'Connor removed Thorpe and the procession of wickets started. Within the space of 16 overs, England went from 123 for 2 to 162 all out and Dion Nash was the top New Zealand bowler with figures of 4 for 39.

#1 38-run win for England at Nottingham, 1973

Tony Greig
Tony Greig

The first Test of the 1973 series in England between the two teams is the best game that the two countries have been involved in till date. The match see-sawed either way till it ended in a heartbreaking defeat for the visitors.

England chose to bat first at Nottingham and despite a fine opening stand between Geoffrey Boycott and Dennis Amiss, they could only muster 250. Dayle Hadlee and Bruce Taylor picked up 4 wickets each. However, New Zealand's response was limp. England's fast bowlers John Snow, Geoff Arnold and medium-pace Tony Greig combined to dismiss them for only 97 in 41.4 overs.

The game was as good as over and when England declared their innings at 325 for 8, the writing was on the wall. New Zealand bowled well but could not get past Dennis Amiss and Tony Greig, who scored 138 each (276 out of 325).

New Zealand were set an improbable target of 479. The New Zealand chase got off to the worst possible start as their opener Glenn Turner and his partner John Parker were dismissed with the score at 16. Although Bevan Congdon steadied the innings, they kept losing wickets and were 130 for 4 when Mark Burgess was dismissed.

Congdon, however, got able support from Vic Pollard and the two put on a superb partnership. Congdon scored 176 and Pollard made 116. New Zealand were 77 away from one of the most famous wins when Pollard was dismissed. The lower order tried gamely to win the game but Hadlee was out hit wicket and the innings eventually folded for 440.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram