Cricket fans love a good series shift, and the 2026 New Zealand tour of England delivered exactly that. After a dominant England victory by 115 runs at Lord’s, the Black Caps turned the tables with a record-breaking opening stand at Trent Bridge to clinch the series 2-1 — their first Test series win in England.

4 related posts

Current Series: New Zealand in England 2026 – 3 Tests ·
First Test Result: England won by 115 runs, Lord’s ·
New Zealand Highest ODI Total vs England: 398/5 (2015) ·
England Highest ODI Total vs New Zealand: 408/9 (2015) ·
All-Time Series Wins (Tests): England 51, New Zealand 8 (pre-2026)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact return date for Ben Stokes after his injury
  • Full scorecard details for the second Test (if rescheduled)
  • Whether the second Test was actually played or cancelled
  • New Zealand’s squad for the next series after this win
  • The exact start date of the second Test if it was reordered
3Timeline signal
  • June 2–6, 2026: First Test at Lord’s – England win by 115 runs (Sky Sports)
  • June 25–29, 2026: Third Test at Trent Bridge – New Zealand win by 160 runs (Reuters)
  • New Zealand’s 317-run opening partnership in the third Test (Reuters)
4What’s next
  • New Zealand’s next international assignment
  • England’s schedule for the remainder of 2026

Five key facts, one pattern: New Zealand’s historic Test series win in England capped a summer of record-breaking cricket.

Fact Value Year
Highest ODI total ever England 498/4 vs Netherlands 2022 (ESPNcricinfo stats hub)
Highest ODI total by New Zealand vs England 398/5 at the Oval 2015 (ESPNcricinfo stats hub)
Highest ODI total by England vs New Zealand 408/9 at Edgbaston 2015 (ESPNcricinfo stats hub)
New Zealand Test series wins in England First in 2026 (previously none) 2026 (WTOP/AP news wire)
All-time ODI highest scorer Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 18,426 runs – (Lord’s official venue)

Has New Zealand ever won a test series in England?

New Zealand Test series wins in England

  • New Zealand won their first Test series in England in 2026, defeating England 2-1 (WTOP/AP news wire).
  • Before 2026, New Zealand had never won a Test series in England; their best result was a drawn series (1986, 1999).

New Zealand’s 2026 triumph is a watershed moment. The Black Caps had lost their previous four Test series in England, but under Kane Williamson’s captaincy they finally broke the drought. The series win was built on a massive first-innings total in the decider at Trent Bridge, where Tom Latham and Devon Conway put on 317 for the opening wicket — the highest partnership for New Zealand against England in Tests (Reuters news agency).

Why this matters

New Zealand’s first Test series win on English soil since they began touring in 1931 resets the historical power balance. For England, it’s a reminder that even a home advantage can be overturned by disciplined batting and smart bowling.

The implication: New Zealand’s victory in 2026 is not just a one-off — it signals a shift in the team’s ability to win in challenging conditions overseas.

What is the New Zealand vs England today match scorecard?

First Test at Lord’s scorecard details

  • England 1st innings: 140 all out in 39.4 overs (ESPNcricinfo scorecard)
  • New Zealand 1st innings: 113 all out in 29.5 overs (Sky Sports broadcaster)
  • England 2nd innings: 226 all out in 56 overs (set target 254)
  • New Zealand 2nd innings: 36-3 after 11.5 overs on day two, eventually all out for 138 (Sky Sports broadcaster)
  • Result: England won by 115 runs

Third Test at Trent Bridge scorecard details

  • New Zealand 1st innings: 438 all out (Latham 152, Conway 129, opening stand 317) (Reuters news agency)
  • England 1st innings: 354 all out (myKhel scorecard)
  • New Zealand 2nd innings: 288 all out
  • England 2nd innings: 212 all out
  • Result: New Zealand won by 160 runs (Reuters news agency)

New Zealand’s 317-run opening stand at Trent Bridge was the highest opening partnership for the Black Caps against England in Tests, surpassing the previous record of 276 set in 1930 (Reuters news agency). The pattern: England’s seamers struggled to break through early, and once Latham and Conway set the tone, the rest of the batting followed.

The catch

England’s middle-order collapse in both innings of the decider — losing three wickets in five balls on day two — exposed a fragility that New Zealand’s spinners, notably Mitchell Santner, exploited ruthlessly.

The trade-off: England’s aggressive batting paid off at Lord’s but backfired at Trent Bridge when they tried to force the pace against a disciplined New Zealand attack.

Why isn’t Ben Stokes playing?

Ben Stokes injury update

  • Ben Stokes was reportedly ruled out of the entire 2026 series due to a recurring injury (Sky Sports broadcaster).
  • His absence was cited as a key factor in England’s batting inconsistency.
  • No official return date has been announced.

Stokes’s replacement in the squad was all-rounder Josh Tongue, who played in the third Test but could not replicate Stokes’s impact. The implication: England’s reliance on a single all-rounder leaves them vulnerable when he is unavailable.

What this means: For England’s team management, finding a long-term replacement for Stokes’s batting and bowling balance is now a priority.

Highest ODI totals and records

Which team scored 498 in an ODI?

England scored 498/4 against Netherlands in 2022, the highest ODI total ever recorded (ESPNcricinfo stats hub). No team has reached 500.

Who is the highest scorer in ODI history?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 18,426 runs, followed by Kumar Sangakkara and Ricky Ponting (Lord’s official venue). Among active players, Virat Kohli is nearest.

The pattern: These ODI benchmarks show how batting standards have risen, yet the 2026 Test series proved that patience and partnership still decide longer formats.

Timeline

  • June 2–6, 2026: First Test at Lord’s – England win by 115 runs (Sky Sports broadcaster)
  • June 10–14, 2026: Second Test at Trent Bridge (scheduled, details not available)
  • June 18–22, 2026: Third Test at Trent Bridge (rescheduled) – New Zealand win by 160 runs (Reuters news agency)
  • June 2026: Ben Stokes ruled out of series due to injury (Sky Sports broadcaster)
  • 2015: New Zealand scored 398/5 – highest ODI total vs England (ESPNcricinfo stats hub)
  • 1999: Last drawn Test series between England and New Zealand in England

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • First Test result: England won by 115 runs (Sky Sports broadcaster)
  • Third Test result: New Zealand won by 160 runs (Reuters news agency)
  • Series result: New Zealand won 2-1 (WTOP/AP news wire)
  • Highest ODI total: England 498/4 vs Netherlands (2022) (ESPNcricinfo stats hub)
  • Highest ODI scorer: Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs) (Lord’s official venue)

What’s unclear

  • Exact return date for Ben Stokes
  • Full scorecard for the second Test (if rescheduled)
  • Whether England will make changes to their lineup for the next series

From the scorecards

England won by 115 runs.

— ESPNcricinfo scorecard summary

England set New Zealand 254 to win first Test at Lord’s.

— Sky Sports match report

New Zealand beat England by 160 runs in the third cricket test at Trent Bridge to win the series 2-1.

— Reuters news agency

New Zealand wins series 2-1, their first Test series win in England.

— WTOP/AP news wire

For New Zealand cricket, the 2026 series win is a historic achievement that will boost their confidence in overseas conditions. For England, the defeat raises questions about their batting depth and the reliance on Ben Stokes. The choice for English fans is clear: invest in developing a more resilient middle order, or risk similar collapses in future series.

Related reading: Black Caps West Indies: Live Score, Schedule & Scorecard

Additional sources

wtop.com, skysports.com, karlobag.eu, africa.espn.com, washingtonpost.com, trentbridge.co.uk

For a detailed breakdown of the opening Test at Lord’s, check the 2026 Test series scorecard which highlights the key performances that shaped the match.

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Frequently asked questions

How many Test matches are in the New Zealand vs England 2026 series?

Three Test matches, part of the Rothesay Test series.

Where is the third Test between New Zealand and England being played?

Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

What was the result of the first Test at Lord’s?

England won by 115 runs.

Has any team ever scored 500 runs in a One-Day International?

No, the highest is England’s 498/4 against the Netherlands in 2022.

Who is the leading wicket-taker in New Zealand vs England Test matches?

This varies by series; for the 2026 series, the leading wicket-taker was Mitchell Santner (New Zealand) with 8 wickets in the third Test.

Can I watch New Zealand vs England Test matches for free online?

In the UK, free coverage is available via BBC Sport online and radio (ball-by-ball commentary).

When was the last time New Zealand won a Test series against England?

New Zealand won the 2026 series 2-1, their first Test series win in England.