Paul Collingwood admitted England had looked 'dead and buried' before forcing a tie in a tense finish against New Zealand that keeps the series alive heading into Saturday's fifth and final one day international in Christchurch.

Paul Collingwood admitted England had looked 'dead and buried' before forcing a tie in a tense finish against New Zealand that keeps the series alive heading into Saturday's fifth and final one day international in Christchurch.

The Kiwis, chasing England's 340 for six on a batsman-friendly Napier wicket, ltooked to be cruising to victory heading into the final six overs.

But England refused to give up hope and with wickets tumbling the Kiwis reached the final over needing seven to win.

Collingwood gambled by turning to Luke Wright and it paid off as Jamie How was run out for 139 and Daniel Vettori could only scramble a leg bye off the final delivery to tie the match and leave the Kiwis 2-1 ahead going into Saturday's decider.

"We were dead and buried going into the last six overs," Collingwood told Sky Sports 1.

"Jamie How (139) played fantastically well but our character was great, we got our yorkers right, the plans were right and we put them under pressure.

"There were a lot of nerves out there.'

The Durham all-rounder also hailed the efforts of Wright in that tense final over.

"We wanted to take it to the last over, obviously gambled on Wrighty and what a fantastic job he did.

"I could have bowled Wrighty five overs earlier but you want it to go to the last over, that's where the pressure is. I backed him and that was it.'

Black Caps skipper Daniel Vettori admitted the hosts were shattered by defeat.

He told Sky Sports 1: "It's a game we should have comfortably won from the position we got ourselves in.

"We basically sewed it up and you have to take some responsibility for it. It's one we should have won in the 47th or 48th over.

"There's a little despair in the dressing room.'

Wright admitted he was surprised when Collingwood handed the last over to him with New Zealand needing seven to win.

"I thought Colly was taking the mickey when he told me to warm-up but it was great to get a moment like that.'

Collingwood's gamble paid off and England can still square the series.

"We have to take a draw and be happy with that,' said Wright.

Ryan Sidebottom, who helped tie the Kiwis down with a series of yorkers in the closing overs, said: "It was a brilliant game and the series is still alive. We need to go to Christchurch and get a win there.

"We are a bit disappointed because we thought we had a win in the bag at one stage.'

Sidebottom was happy with his bowling as England put the Kiwis under pressure when it had seemed they would coast to victory.

"You practise in the nets getting yorkers in at the death and it paid dividends today,' he added.

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