The rivalry between the England Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team is one of the most balanced and respected contests in cricket history. Both teams are known for their sportsmanship, discipline, and ability to deliver high-quality matches. England, being one of the oldest cricketing nations, has a rich legacy, while New Zealand has built a reputation as a consistent and competitive side. Over the decades, matches between these teams have produced thrilling finishes, especially in ICC tournaments and Test series. This timeline explores their journey from early encounters to modern-day classics, highlighting key milestones, memorable matches, and evolving competition.
Recent Matches
#
Date
Format
Venue
Match Scores
WINNER
Margin
Epic Note
15
27 Feb 2026
T20I (WC Super 8)
Colombo
NZ 159/7 vs ENG 161/6 (19.3)
ENGLAND
4 wickets
Late heist! Will Jacks + Rehan Ahmed 43 off 16 balls – pure drama!
14
01 Nov 2025
ODI
Wellington
ENG 222 vs NZ 226/8 (44.4)
NEW ZEALAND
2 wickets
NZ seals 3-0 whitewash in thriller!
13
29 Oct 2025
ODI
Hamilton
ENG 175 vs NZ 177/5 (33.1)
NEW ZEALAND
5 wickets
Clinical chase – NZ dominance!
12
26 Oct 2025
ODI
Mt Maunganui
ENG 223 vs NZ 224/6 (36.4)
NEW ZEALAND
4 wickets
NZ kicks off whitewash!
11
20 Oct 2025
T20I
Christchurch
ENG 236/4 vs NZ 171 (18)
ENGLAND
65 runs
ENG bats feast – series 1-0 vibe
10
18 Oct 2025
T20I
Christchurch
ENG 153/6 vs NZ –
NO RESULT
Rain
Washout opener
9
23 Oct 2025
T20I
Auckland
NZ 38/1 (3.4) vs ENG –
NO RESULT
Rain
Early finish drama
8
14-17 Dec 2024
TEST
Hamilton
NZ 347 & 453 vs ENG 143 & 234
NEW ZEALAND
423 runs
NZ’s biggest-ever Test win – Santner hero!
7
06-08 Dec 2024
TEST
Wellington
ENG 280 & 427/6d vs NZ 125 & 259
ENGLAND
323 runs
Record ENG win! Atkinson hat-trick
6
28 Nov-02 Dec 2024
TEST
Christchurch
NZ 348 & 254 vs ENG 499 & 104/2
ENGLAND
8 wickets
Brook 171 + Carse 10-fer – series clincher!
5
05 Sep 2023
T20I
Nottingham
NZ ? vs ENG ?
NEW ZEALAND
6 wickets
Classic NZ chase
4
Oct 2023
ODI (WC)
Ahmedabad
ENG vs NZ
NEW ZEALAND
Comfortable
NZ spoils ENG party
3
Jun 2023
T20I
London
ENG vs NZ
ENGLAND
Close
Bazball T20 spark
2
2023
T20 Blast-style bilateral
Various
ENG wins series edge
ENGLAND
Multiple
Brook & co shine
1
2022 T20 WC
Brisbane
ENG 179/6 vs NZ 159/6
ENGLAND
20 runs
Iconic WC group win that fueled 2022 title!
Head-To-Head Summary
Format
Matches Played
🇬🇧 ENG Wins
🇳🇿 NZ Wins
Draws / Ties / NR
Key Highlight / Momentum Shift
TESTS
115–116
54–55
14
47
ENG dominates historically; recent 2-1 series wins (2024-25)
ODIs
96–99
44–45
45–48
Few NR / 2 Ties
NZ edges slightly – 3-0 whitewash (Oct-Nov 2025)!
T20Is
27–31
16–18
10
Few NR
ENG stronger; clutch Super 8 win (Feb 2026 WC)
OVERALL
~240+
~115–120
~68–75
~50+
ENG leads big, but NZ’s recent whitewashes & record wins = fire rivalry!
Top 5 Standout Performances
Rank
Player & Year
Format / Match
Performance
Impact / Epic Note
1
Harry Brook (2024)
TEST – Christchurch
171 runs (key in 499 total) + series heroics
Powered ENG to 8-wkt win; part of 2-1 series triumph Down Under
2
Brydon Carse (2024)
TEST – Wellington
10-fer equivalent vibes + hat-trick threat
Massive 323-run ENG win; record demolition in Bazball style
ENG heist from nowhere – 4-wkt thriller vs NZ 159/7 target!
5
Kane Williamson (2024-25)
TEST Series
395 runs across series
Kiwi glue; fought hard despite series loss – timeless class
Early Test Encounters (1930–1955)
The rivalry began in 1930 when New Zealand played its first Test series against England. The England Cricket Team dominated early matches due to its experience and strong domestic structure. New Zealand, still new to international cricket, struggled but gained valuable exposure. Matches during this period were often one-sided, but they laid the foundation for New Zealand’s growth. England’s batting strength and bowling depth gave them a clear advantage. However, New Zealand gradually improved its performance and started building confidence. These early encounters were crucial in shaping the rivalry and helping New Zealand develop into a competitive international team.
Year
Format
Venue
Winner
1930
Test
England
England
1933
Test
New Zealand
England
1949
Test Series
England
Draw
1955
Test
England
England
First Breakthrough for New Zealand (1956–1975)
Between 1956 and 1975, New Zealand began showing improvement against England. The New Zealand National Cricket Team achieved its first Test victory over England in 1958, marking a major milestone. This win boosted confidence and proved that New Zealand could compete with established teams. Matches became more competitive, with both teams producing strong performances. England still held an advantage overall, but New Zealand’s progress was clear. This period transformed the rivalry into a more balanced contest, attracting attention from cricket fans worldwide.
Year
Event
Venue
Winner
1958
Test Match
New Zealand
New Zealand
1965
Test Series
England
England
1969
Test
England
Draw
1973
Test Series
England
England
Competitive Test Era (1976–1995)
From the late 1970s to mid-1990s, the rivalry became more competitive. Both teams featured talented players, leading to closely contested Test series. The England Cricket Team relied on aggressive batting, while New Zealand focused on disciplined bowling. Matches often went into the final day, keeping fans engaged. The rivalry gained popularity as both teams shared victories. This era established England vs New Zealand as a balanced and exciting contest.
Year
Series
Format
Winner
1978
Test Series
Test
England
1984
Test Series
Test
New Zealand
1988
Test Series
Test
Draw
1992
Test Series
Test
England
Rise of ODI and T20 Formats (1996–2010)
The introduction of limited-overs cricket added excitement to the rivalry. Both teams competed in ICC tournaments and bilateral series. New Zealand became known for its smart strategies, while England focused on strong batting lineups. Matches were often high-scoring and thrilling. The arrival of T20 cricket further increased excitement, with aggressive gameplay and innovative tactics.
Year
Tournament
Format
Winner
1999
World Cup
ODI
New Zealand
2003
World Cup
ODI
England
2007
ICC Event
ODI
New Zealand
2010
T20
T20
England
Iconic Modern Matches (2011–2019)
This era saw some of the most memorable matches, including the dramatic 2019 World Cup final. The contest between the England Cricket Team and the New Zealand National Cricket Team reached global attention. Both teams played exceptional cricket, and matches were often decided by narrow margins. This period strengthened the rivalry’s global reputation.
Year
Event
Format
Winner
2013
ODI Series
ODI
England
2015
World Cup
ODI
New Zealand
2018
Test Series
Test
England
2019
World Cup Final
ODI
England
Recent Matches and Evolution (2020–2025)
In recent years, both teams have adapted to modern cricket. England’s aggressive style and New Zealand’s consistency have made matches highly competitive. The rivalry continues to produce exciting contests across formats, with both teams performing strongly in international tournaments.
Year
Series
Venue
Winner
2021
Test Series
England
New Zealand
2022
Test Series
England
England
2023
ODI Series
England
England
2024
T20 Series
New Zealand
New Zealand
Conclusion
The England vs New Zealand rivalry is defined by balance, respect, and thrilling cricket. From early one-sided matches to modern classics, both teams have contributed to its growth. Fans continue to enjoy this contest, which promises more exciting moments in the future.
