The BLACKCAPS and England produced a thrilling tied match in the fourth ODI of The National Bank Series at Napier.
A Jamie How century led a record run chase with his maiden ODI hundred, 139, as the hosts chased down an impressive England total of 340 for six.
But he was run out off the penultimate ball, and with two required from the final ball off Luke Wright, Daniel Vettori could only claim a solitary run with a tight field.
Local boy Jesse Ryder took two wickets in successive balls to slow England’s progress, after openers Phil Mustard (83) and Alastair Cook (69) put on 158 for the first wicket.
Paul Collingwood enhanced his side’s total with an aggressive half-century, including six sixes.
But the BLACKCAPS replied in style, led by How, 58 from Brendon McCullum, 49 from Ross Taylor and 38 from Ryder.
Vettori elected to bowl first on the consistent McLean Park strip, but the tourists flourished in good conditions.
The first-wicket pair had an eye on a national record stand, but Mustard’s attempted six fell short to Jacob Oram at long on, leaving the wicketkeeper on 83, then Ryder then bowled Cook, the junior partner on 69.
Pietersen and Bell then added 74 before the latter was caught at the square leg boundary by Kyle Mills, earning a wicket on ODI debut for Iain O'Brien.
Collingwood exemplified his team’s attacking tactics, launching six sixes early, progressing to his half-century in only 24 balls.
Vettori then bowled Pietersen, his one-time Nottinghamshire team-mate, for 50 and then accounted for Owais Shah (five), caught Peter Fulton in a failed attempt at a straight six.
Fulton then too a fine catch off Chris Martin’s last ball of the innings to dismiss Luke Wright (24).
Ryder and McCullum began in typically brisk fashion, accumulating 70 in 10 overs before James Anderson expertly caught Ryder off Stuart Broad.
But How shared stands of 91 with McCullum and 92 with Taylor to put the BLACKCAPS in control.
Taylor fell two short of his fifty, then Scott Styris (eight), Peter Fulton (no score) and Jacob Oram (six) fell in quick succession.
How and skipper Vettori added 24 in four overs, but the Central Stags right-hander was trapped by Anderson’s run out.
The teams tried to force the issue, but could not be separated after a mammoth effort from both batting line-ups and now travel to Christchurch for Saturday’s fifth and final match of The National Bank Series.
