After a mind-boggling five-match T20I series, England and New Zealand will locks horns in the longest format of the game. The first of the two-match Test series will be played on November 21 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. England won the preceding T20I series of the tour 3-2 and will be roaring to replicate their skills in whites too. However, Test cricket is all-together a different ball game and they will certainly face a much difficult challenge from the Kiwis. As per the current ICC rankings, Blackcaps hold the second position while England are placed just one slot below at third. ENG vs NZ Test Series 2019: England’s Joe Denly Eyeing Maiden Test Century Against New Zealand.

In recent times, these two sides have played some breathtaking matches and have emerged as new arch-rival in the cricketing world. The Kiwis have still not forgotten their heartbreaking loss in the 2019 World Cup Final and their recent loss in Test series have added salt to their wounds. Nevertheless, Kiwis won the last Test series played between these two sides and will seek to put up a similar show again. Talking about the head to head results, these two teams have faced each other in 103 Tests in which England won 48 matches while New Zealand registered just 10 victories. The other 45 clashes ended in a draw.

So, as the first NZ vs ENG Test gets lined up, let’s look at the results of last five Tests between the two sides.

New Zealand vs England – March 30- April 2, 2018 – Hagley Oval, Christchurch – Match Drawn

Kiwis won the toss and asked England to bat first. Trent Boult and Tim Southee rattled the visitors’ top-order before Jonny Bairstow scored a valiant century and guided England to 307 runs. In reply, the Anderson-Broad duo ran through the hosts batting line-up but crucial contributions from lower-order guided hosts to 278 runs. England put a much better show in the second innings and declared a score of 352 runs. While chasing 382 in last innings, Kiwis were reduced to 162/6 but the tail fought back and the match resulted in a draw.

New Zealand vs England – March 22- March 26, 2018 – Eden Gardens, Auckland – New Zealand won by an innings and 149 runs.

Kane Williamson’s decision of bowling first proved to be spot-on as Boult and Southee breathed fire and bundled up the visitors for mere 58 runs. In reply, the Kiwis put up a magnificent batting display and piled up 427/8 in their first innings. The visitors tried to make a comeback and the likes of Mark Stoneman, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes registered fifties. However, the ask was for too much and England were bundled out for 320 runs and subsequently lost the match by an innings and 49 runs.

New Zealand vs England – May 29- July 2, 2015 – Headingley, Leeds – New Zealand won by 199 runs

England elected to bowl first after winning the toss. Luke Ronchi and Tom Latham scored half-centuries and guided New Zealand to 350 runs. In reply, England also managed to register as many runs but the Kiwis put up a magnificent show in the third innings of the match and declared at  454/8 and the hosts were to chase 455. However, England failed to succumb to the pressure and lost the match by 199 runs.

New Zealand vs England – May 21- May 25, 2015 – Lord’s, London – England won by 124 runs

A couple of nineties from Ben Stokes and Joe Root helped England post 389 runs in the first innings. In reply, Skipper Williamson scored a hundred and some other contributions from other batsman guided New Zealand to 523 runs. In the third innings, however, Skipper Alaistair Cook scored 162 as England posted 478 runs. Chasing 345 for victory, Kiwis were bundled out for 220 runs and lost the match by 124 runs.

New Zealand vs England – May 24- May 28, 2013 – Lord’s, London – England won by 247 runs

Joe Root scored a splendid century in the first innings and powered England to 389 runs. In reply, Graeme Swann spun his web and restricted Kiwis to 174 runs. Riding on the start, the hosts put the foot on the paddle and declared their innings at 287/5. The target was never in reach of the visitors as they lost the match by 247 runs.

England failed to get the Ashes urn back in their assignment in whites as the Ashes 2019 was drawn 2-2. While, New Zealand’s last Test series came against Sri Lanka which also resulted in a 1-1 draw. So, both the teams will eye to win their first series in ICC World Test Championships.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 20, 2019 02:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).