England battled back from the brink of defeat for a thrilling tie in today's high-scoring fourth one-day international against New Zealand - and Sussex all-rounder Luke Wright played a star role.

Needing seven off the final over to overhaul England's 340-6 - their third highest total in a one-day international - England chose Wright to bowl the final over, his first of the day.

Wright responded brilliantly and after James Anderson ran out Jamie How, who scored a superb 139 off 116 balls, off the penultimate ball, it left captain Daniel Vettori needing two to win off the final ball or one to tie.

He scrambled a leg-bye but only after rival captain Paul Collingwood missed with a throw at the stumps to run out Kyle Mills, to leave the series resting on Saturday's finale in Christchurch.

Wright also pitched in with a quickfire 24 off 13 balls at the end which enabled the tourists to add 101 runs off the final 10 overs.

Alastair Cook (69) and Phil Mustard (83) laid the platform with a 158-run opening stand while captain Paul Collingwood propelled England beyond 300 with the quickest one-day half-century ever scored by an England player.

Collingwood reached the landmark off just 24 balls, beating the previous record of 28 balls set by Andrew Flintoff.

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