New Zealand and England, on Tuesday (February 28), came up with an all-time finishes in Tests cricket as the former beat the latter by 1 run in a thrilling contest at the Basin Reserve, Wellington.
After being on the backfoot for the first three days of the Test, the Black Caps delivered with both bat and ball and went on to register a miraculous win. Fortune swung from one side to another on the final day of the Test and New Zealand eventually held their nerves to clinch a series-levelling win.
Chasing 258, high-flying England began day 5 on 48 for 1. The visitors were off to a disastrous start, losing 4 wickets in quick succession including the run out of Harry Brook for a duck to find themselves 5 down for just 80 runs. Ben Stokes and Joe Root then once again revived England’s hopes by sharing a 121-run stand before both of them departed in quick succession to leave England reeling at 202 for 7 from 201 for 5.
13 runs later, Stuart Broad departed too. Ben Foakes and Jack Leach stopped the rot for a while, sharing a 36-run stand. And just when it looked like England would finally put an end to the dramatic day, Tim Southee struck to remove Foakes. England needed 7 runs at that stage with 1 wicket in hand.
James Anderson hit a flashy four but with just 2 runs needed, he edged a Neil Wagner delivery down the leg side where Tom Blundell took a fine diving catch. Earlier in the game, New Zealand were asked to follow-on after they were all out for just 209 in reply to England’s first innings total of 435 for 8 (declared). In their second innings, the hosts scored 483.
New Zealand register ‘smallest’ win:
The 1-run win has made New Zealand only the second team after West Indies to win a Test by 1 run. West Indies had defeated Australia by 1 run way back in 1993.
Here is the list of smallest margin of wins in Test:
| Winner | Margin | Opposition | Ground |
| West Indies | 1 run | v Australia | Adelaide |
| New Zealand | 1 run | v England | Wellington |
| England | 2 runs | v Australia | Birmingham |
| Australia | 3 runs | v England | Manchester |
| England | 3 runs | v Australia | Melbourne |
| New Zealand | 4 runs | v Pakistan | Abu Dhabi |
| South Africa | 5 runs | v Australia | Sydney |
| Australia | 6 runs | v England | Sydney |
| Australia | 7 runs | v England | The Oval |
| South Africa | 7 runs | v Sri Lanka | Kandy |
| New Zealand | 7 runs | v Australia | Hobart |