Closest Test match wins: Smallest margin of victory in Test cricket history

New Zealand beat England by 1 run in the recently concluded second Test match at the Basin Reserve to register only the second instance of a team winning a Test by a 1-run margin. A rare joint-closest Test match win, which has happened after as many as three decades, powered New Zealand to be able to draw the two-match series 1-1.

In all honesty, the odds were supporting the visitors as one expects England to seal a 258-run chase irrespective of the conditions or opposition. England, who came pretty close to doing the same, became the latest victim of New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner’s tenacity and steadfastness.

Pick of their bowlers in the second innings, Wagner’s bowling figures of 15.2-0-62-4 consisted of dismissing veteran England pacer James Anderson (4) as the last English wicket. Having already pulled Wagner for a boundary in his previous over, Anderson was clearly upset after getting caught down the leg-side today.

Other than Wagner, New Zealand captain Tim Southee (3/45) and fast bowler Matt Henry (2/75) were also among the wickets on the last day of the series.

Resuming Day 5 at 48/1, all England needed were 210 runs to whitewash the Black Caps away from home after six decades. Former captain Joe Root (95) followed a 28th Test century in the first innings with a 56th half-century in the second but ended up playing a nothing shot in his attempt to pull Wagner to perhaps put on display a game-changing dismissal.

Closest Test match wins

Margin	Winner	Opposition	Ground	Year
1 run	West Indies	Australia	Adelaide	1993
1 run	New Zealand	England	Wellington	2023
2 runs	England	Australia	Birmingham	2005
3 runs	Australia	England	Manchester	1902
3 runs	England	Australia	Melbourne	1982

Does England’s tour of New Zealand 2023 affect ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023 standings?

No. As was the case during the last England’s tour of New Zealand as well, even this series isn’t part of ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023. Moreover, readers must note that neither New Zealand nor England are eligible to qualify for the final to be played later this year.