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England tie with Black Caps in Napier

England snatched an unlikely tie against New Zealand after earlier staring down the barrel of defeat in a thrilling -- and historic -- fourth one-day cricket international in Napier yesterday.

England made 340-for-six, and when it looked as if New Zealand had paced themselves to pull off a high-scoring victory, bolstered by a century by Jamie How, they were denied victory with the final delivery.

The hero for the tourists was Luke Wright, called on to bowl his first over of the game and the last of the match when all other options were gone and New Zealand requiring just seven to win.

With New Zealand needing two to win off the last ball, Wright pitched up to Daniel Vettori and restricted him to a single.

On a day tailor-made for batters, the 340 by each side was the highest-scoring tie in the history of one-day cricket internationals and was also the highest ODI score overseas by an England side.

In the process they ensured the series stays alive going into the fifth and final match on Saturday.

England captain Paul Collingwood said he never felt overly confident with 340.

"We knew it was a good total but at the same time we knew how good the pitch was and pretty much up until six overs to go we were dead and buried," Collingwood said.

He said he decided to use Wright at the end when he saw New Zealand start to falter six overs from the end.
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