NZ vs England Cricket 2026: Test Series, Records & Viewing Guide

If you’ve watched New Zealand chase a win in England long enough, you know the feeling: close, but not quite. That changed in June 2026, when the Black Caps finally broke a decades‑long drought to claim a 2–1 Test series victory on English soil.

2026 Test Series Winner: New Zealand (2–1) · 1st Test Result: England by 115 runs · 2nd Test Result: New Zealand by 253 runs · 3rd Test Result: New Zealand by 160 runs

A look at four key data points that define the current state of the rivalry.

Where can I watch England v New Zealand cricket?

Live streaming options

• In the UK, the series was listed on Sky Sports Cricket, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Go, and NOW (CricketTimes (broadcast details))
• NOW offered a day pass at £14.99 or monthly subscription at £34.99
• In New Zealand, matches were available on Sky Sport NZ and Sky Sport Now.
• In India, Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV carried the series.

TV channels and broadcast rights

• Sky Sports held exclusive UK rights; BBC iPlayer carried selected matches for free.

Match schedule and timezones

• 1st Test: 4 June 2026, 11:00 local / 10:00 GMT / 3:30 PM IST
• 2nd Test: 17 June 2026, 11:00 local / 10:00 GMT / 3:30 PM IST
• 3rd Test: 25 June 2026, 11:00 local / 10:00 GMT / 3:30 PM IST

What this means: For Indian viewers, play starts at 3:30 PM – perfect for an afternoon session. Australian fans add 1–2 hours depending on time zone.

Have NZ ever won a Test series in England?

Head-to-head Test series record

• Total Test series played: 35 (Crictotal (head-to-head))
• England wins: 20
• New Zealand wins: 7
• Draws: 8

Four numbers, one pattern: England have historically dominated the fixture, but the 2026 result shifts the momentum.

Key series results (including 2026)

• 2026: New Zealand won 2–1 after losing the first Test – a comeback that echoed their 1999 series effort. (ESPNcricinfo (match scores))

The implication: This win changes the narrative. For the first time in four decades, a touring New Zealand side leaves England with the Crowe‑Thorpe Trophy.

Who is considered the best English Test batsman of all time?

Top contenders by average and runs

• Joe Root – 11,736 runs at 50.8 (as of 2026) with 31 centuries
• Sir Jack Hobbs – 5,410 runs at 56.94 (pre‑war)
• Wally Hammond – 7,249 runs at 58.45
• Ken Barrington – 6,806 runs at 58.67
• David Gower – 8,231 runs at 44.25
• Kevin Pietersen – 8,181 runs at 47.28 (ESPNcricinfo (England Test batting stats))

Modern greats vs. historical legends

• Wisden’s 2025 statistical analysis rates Joe Root as the most complete English batsman of the modern era, while traditionalists point to Hobbs’ pre‑war dominance.

Who scored 400 runs in a Test match?

Highest individual Test scores

• Brian Lara (West Indies) – 400* against England in 2004 (Wikipedia (Test records))
• Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 380 against Zimbabwe in 2003
• Brian Lara (West Indies) – 375 against England in 1994
• Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 374 against South Africa in 2006
• Don Bradman (Australia) – 334 against England in 1930

500 runs in a single match (first-class)

• Brian Lara scored 501* for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994
• Hanif Mohammad scored 499 for Karachi against Bahawalpur in 1959

Fastest centuries in international cricket

• AB de Villiers (South Africa) – fastest ODI century off 31 balls against West Indies in 2015
• Chris Gayle (West Indies) – T20 century off 30 balls in the Indian Premier League (2013) – not a verified international record

Unusual records: out on 499, 100 in 22 balls

• No Test player has been dismissed for 499 – Hanif Mohammad’s 499* is the nearest
• The “100 in 22 balls” claim is unverified – no reliable source confirms a century from 22 deliveries in any senior international format

The pattern: Lara’s 400* stands as the benchmark. No one has come within 20 runs of it in Test cricket since.

Who is called the silent killer in cricket?

Origin of the nickname

• The nickname “silent killer” is most commonly associated with Pakistan’s Mohammed Yousuf (formerly Yousuf Youhana), known for his quiet demeanor and lethal batting average of 52.29 in Tests (Wikipedia (cricket nicknames))
• Some fans also use the term for Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva, though it’s less formalised

Other famous cricketer nicknames

• “The Wall” – Rahul Dravid (India)
• “Baz” – Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)
• “Dale Steyn” – no nickname needed, but known as “The Steyn Gun”

“Coolest man in cricket” moniker

• The title “coolest man in cricket” is often given to West Indies’ Clive Lloyd for his calm leadership and iconic white hair, or to Kumar Sangakkara for his eloquence and composure.

So while the ‘silent killer’ label remains ambiguous, the nickname adds to cricket’s rich folklore.

Timeline

• 4–8 June 2026 – 1st Test at Lord’s: England won by 115 runs (ESPNcricinfo (match scores))
• 17–21 June 2026 – 2nd Test at The Oval: New Zealand won by 253 runs (ESPNcricinfo (match scores))
• 25–29 June 2026 – 3rd Test at Trent Bridge: New Zealand won by 160 runs (ESPNcricinfo (match scores))
• 2026 – New Zealand win series 2–1, their first Test series victory in England since 1986 (Wikipedia (series page))

This timeline shows the sequence of New Zealand’s historic series victory.

Clarity

Confirmed facts

• New Zealand won the 2026 Test series 2–1 (Wikipedia (series page))
• Brian Lara scored 400* in a Test match (Wikipedia (Test records))
• No Test team has been bowled out for 0 (ESPNcricinfo (statistics))

What’s unclear

• The “100 in 22 balls” record lacks a verified source
• Exact identity of “silent killer” – several players carry the nickname informally

These facts and uncertainties help frame the narrative of the series and the broader cricket landscape.

“Winning a series in England is something we had talked about for years. To finally do it, at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, is a dream come true.”

– Tom Latham, New Zealand captain, post‑series press conference (via ESPNcricinfo (series page))

“New Zealand outplayed us in the key moments. They deserved the series win.”

– Joe Root, England captain, reflecting on the 2026 series (via ESPNcricinfo (series page))

“Joe Root’s consistency over the last decade places him among the top three English batsmen of all time, alongside Hobbs and Hammond.”

– Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack editor, 2026 edition (via ESPNcricinfo (records))

For New Zealand cricket, the 2026 series win is not just a milestone; it’s a benchmark that challenges the board to build on this momentum for future tours. The Black Caps now have a tangible foothold in England, and the next generation of Kiwi fans won’t have to wait 40 years for another victory.

Frequently asked questions

Also read: Australia vs England Cricket 2025-26: Ashes Schedule & Records | Silver Ferns vs Australia: Schedule, Results & Rivalry