NEW ZEALAND v ENGLAND 1990-91

At Christchurch, February 9. England won by 14 runs. Toss: England. Successive stands of 83 and 63 involving Smith saw England to a competitive total after a start of 46 for three. Before the sun broke through there was encouragement for the bowlers on a slow, uneven pitch, and Watson combined accuracy with variable movement off the seam in ten unbroken overs for 15 runs. In the best innings of the day Lamb scored 61 off 62 balls--he was run out off a no-ball--and Stewart's 40-ball 40 made sure the momentum was not lost.

With Wright taking to Bicknell, New Zealand put on 38 off eight overs. But Crowe then mistimed a straight drive, and two run-outs helped drag the home side down to 94 for five at the halfway stage. However, to the delight of a crowd of 16,800, Rutherford and the left-handed Harris coolly added 122 to cut the target to 19 from three overs. When Rutherford drove Bicknell to mid-off, and Harris desperately slashed at the last ball of the over, a fine effort came to nothing.

Man of the Match: K. R. Rutherford.