The narrowest wins in Test cricket

PHOTO: Hosts New Zealand beat England by a thrilling one run on Day 5 of the second Test at Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images

New Zealand pulled off a stunning win over England on Tuesday at the Basin Reserve. The win was one for the record books as the hosts claimed a nerve-wracking one-run victory over the visitors on Day 5 of the second Test.

With the win in Wellington, the Kiwis leveled the two-match Test series 1-1. Neil Wagner paved the way for the seemingly impossible task. On a sunny day at Basin Reserve, Wagner bagged four wickets and grabbed two catches to guide the hosts to a record win.

It was not only the fourth win in the history of Test cricket by the team asked to watch, but with the victory, the Kiwis also entered the list of the narrowest wins in Tests.

New Zealand became only the second team to win a Test by one run. The last time the team won by one run was in January 1993 when West Indies defeated Australia by one run in Adelaide.

New Zealand are not new to these exciting Test cricket rankings, with the Kiwi side occupying the top 10 of the narrowest wins list. In 2018, New Zealand recorded a thrilling four-run win over Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

Narrowest wins by runs in Test cricket:

1. West Indies beat Australia by one run in Adelaide in January 1993

2. New Zealand beat England by one run in Wellington in February 2023

3. England beat Australia by two runs in Birmingham in August 2005

4. Australia beat England by three runs in Manchester in July 1902

5. England beat Australia by three runs in Melbourne in December 1982

6. New Zealand beat Pakistan by four runs in Abu Dhabi in November 2018

7. South Africa beat Australia by five runs in Sydney in January 1994