# New Zealand cricket team in England in 1986

The New Zealand cricket team toured England during the 1986 season to play a two-match One Day International series and a three-match Test series against England. New Zealand won the Test series, defeating England 1–0 with two matches drawn, the first time a New Zealand side had won a Test series in England.
As well as the international matches, the tourists played 11 first-class matches against English domestic sides and five other matches on the tour. These included two limited overs matches against the Dutch national side at The Hague towards the end of the tour.

## Tour party

The New Zealand team was captained by Jeremy Coney, with John Wright as the vice-captain. A tour party of 16 players was selected, including three who were uncapped in Test matches, fast-bowlers Brian Barrett and Willie Watson and backup wicket-keeper Tony Blain. Of the uncapped players, Watson and Blain made their Test match debuts during the tour, Blain playing in the final Test of the tour after first-choice wicket-keeper Ian Smith had become ill with a viral infection. Smith returned to New Zealand during the final Test of the tour and Blain played in each of the remaining matches.
Seven of the team played county cricket during the first part of the English season, including New Zealand's most capped player in the tour party, Richard Hadlee. The all-rounder had been offered a benefit season by his county side Nottinghamshire and an agreement was reached that he would only play for New Zealand in the three Test matches, appearing for Nottinghamshire for the rest of the period of the tour. According to Wisden, this arrangement was seen as beneficial by the New Zealand Cricket Council who saw the tour as an opportunity to develop younger fast bowlers.
* Jeremy Coney (captain)
* John Wright (vice-captain)
* Brian Barrett
* Tony Blain (wicket-keeper)
* John Bracewell
* Ewen Chatfield
* Jeff Crowe
* Martin Crowe
* Bruce Edgar
* Trevor Franklin
* Evan Gray
* Richard Hadlee (Test matches only)
* Ken Rutherford
* Ian Smith (wicket-keeper)
* Derek Stirling
* Willie Watson

## One Day International series

Before the Test series began, the two sides played a two-match One Day International series. New Zealand won the first match and England the second. The trophy was awarded to New Zealand based on a better run rate.
* 16 July 1986 Scorecard Wisden report
| New Zealand 217/8 (55 overs) | v | England 170 (48.2 overs) |
| JJ Crowe 66 (94) RM Ellison 3/43 (11 overs) | | AJ Lamb 33 (45) JG Bracewell 2/27 (11 overs) |
* New Zealand won by 47 runs Headingley, Leeds Umpires: J Birkenshaw and BJ Meyer Player of the match: JJ Crowe (New Zealand)
* New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat
* MR Benson (England) made his ODI debut
* 18 July 1986 Scorecard Wisden report
| New Zealand 284/5 (55 overs) | v | England 286/4 (53.4 overs) |
| MD Crowe 93* (74) JE Emburey 1/34 (11 overs) | | CWJ Athey 142* (172) JV Coney 2/59 (11 overs) |
* England won by 6 wickets Old Trafford, Manchester Umpires: KE Palmer and NT Plews Player of the match: CWJ Athey (England)
* England won the toss and chose to field

## Test series

The first and third matches of the three-match series were drawn. New Zealand won the second match by eight wickets.

### First Test

* 24–29 July 1986 Scorecard Wisden report
* Drawn Lord's, London Umpires: HD Bird and AGT Whitehead Player of the match: GA Gooch (England)
* England won the toss and chose to bat
* MD Moxon (England) and W Watson (New Zealand) made their Test match debuts 27 July was a rest day

### Second Test

* 7–12 August 1986 Scorecard Wisden report
* New Zealand won by 8 wickets Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: DJ Constant and KE Palmer Player of the match: RJ Hadlee (New Zealand)
* New Zealand won the toss and chose to field
* GC Small (England) made his Test match debut 10 August was a rest day

### Third Test

* 21–26 August 1986 Scorecard Wisden report
* Drawn The Oval, London Umpires: HD Bird and DR Shepherd Player of the match: JG Wright (New Zealand)
* England won the toss and chose to field.
* TE Blain (New Zealand) made his Test match debut 24 August was a rest day

## England's four wicket-keepers at Lord's

On day two of the first Test at Lord's, England's wicket-keeper Bruce French was hit on the head whilst batting by a delivery from Richard Hadlee. The injury, which occurred during the first innings of the match, forced him to go to hospital with concussion. As a consequence England required the use of a substitute wicket-keeper at the start of New Zealand's first innings. Batsman Bill Athey initially kept wicket but after only two overs former England wicket-keeper Bob Taylor, who had retired from first-class cricket but was working for the match sponsors as a host, replaced they, with the consent of the New Zealanders. Taylor kept wicket for the rest of day two before, on the following day, being replaced during the first session by Hampshire wicket-keeper Bobby Parks for the remainder of New Zealand's first innings. Following a rest day and the completion of England's innings, French was able to return on the final day of the match to keep wickets during New Zealand's second innings. None of the four keepers employed by England during the match took a catch or effected a stumping.