The New Zealand cricket team toured England in the 1986 season to play a three-match Test series against England. New Zealand won the series 1–0 with two matches drawn.

One Day Internationals (ODIs)

New Zealand won the Texaco Trophy on faster run rate.

1st ODI

16 July 1986 Scorecard

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 (NZ)

• New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat.
• MR Benson (ENG) made his ODI debut.

2nd ODI

18 July 1986 Scorecard

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 (ENG)

• England won the toss and elected to field.

Test series summary

First Test

24–29 July 1986 (5-day match) Scorecard

England	v	New Zealand
307 (118.5 overs) MD Moxon 74 (192) RJ Hadlee 6/80 (37.5 overs)		342 (140.1 overs) MD Crowe 106 (243) GR Dilley 4/82 (35.1 overs)
295/6d (120.4 overs) GA Gooch 183 (369) EJ Gray 3/83 (46 overs)		41/2 (15 overs) KR Rutherford 24* (43) GR Dilley 1/5 (6 overs)

Match drawn Lord's, London Umpires: HD Bird and AGT Whitehead Player of the match: GA Gooch (ENG)

• England won the toss and elected to bat.
• 27 July was taken as a rest day.
• MD Moxon (ENG) and W Watson (NZ) made their Test debuts.

Second Test

7–12 August 1986 (5-day match) Scorecard

England	v	New Zealand
256 (89.5 overs) DI Gower 71 (143) RJ Hadlee 6/80 (32 overs)		413 (169.5 overs) JG Bracewell 110 (200) GC Small 3/88 (38 overs)
230 (95.1 overs) JE Emburey 75 (136) RJ Hadlee 4/60 (33.1 overs)		77/2 (24 overs) MD Crowe 48* (52) GC Small 1/10 (8 overs)

New Zealand won by 8 wickets Trent Bridge, Nottingham Umpires: DJ Constant and KE Palmer Player of the match: RJ Hadlee (NZ)

• New Zealand won the toss and elected to field.
• 10 August was taken as a rest day.
• GC Small (ENG) made his Test debut.

Third Test

21–26 August 1986 (5-day match) Scorecard

New Zealand	v	England
287 (128.2 overs) JG Wright 119 (343) GR Dilley 4/92 (28.2 overs)		388 (90.5 overs) DI Gower 131 (202) EJ Chatfield 3/73 (21 overs)
7/0 (1 over) JG Wright 7* (4)

Match drawn The Oval, London Umpires: HD Bird and DR Shepherd Player of the match: JG Wright (NZ)

• England won the toss and elected to field.
• 24 August was taken as a rest day.
• TE Blain (NZ) made his Test debut.

England's four wicket-keepers

On day 2 of the first Test at Lord's, England wicket-keeper Bruce French was facing a delivery from Richard Hadlee when he was hit on the head and forced to retire hurt. As a consequence of him having to go to hospital, England required the use of a substitute keeper. At the start of New Zealand's first innings, Bill Athey took on the role but it was decided after only a few overs that a specialist was needed. By chance, former England wicket-keeper Bob Taylor, who had retired from first-class cricket, was in the hospitality tent. With the consent of the New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney, Taylor was persuaded to don a borrowed set of pads (although he had had the foresight to bring his gloves with him) and keep wicket for England for the rest of day 2. The following day, England were permitted to call up Bobby Parks of Hampshire as a substitute for the remainder of New Zealand's first innings. The fourth day of the schedule was a rest day, while on day 4 England batted for the second time. Bruce French was finally able to return for New Zealand's second innings on the final day.^[1][2]