Top 5 Tests played between England and New Zealand

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

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.