When New Zealand arrived in England in September 2021, few could have predicted quite how much drama would unfold across five One Day Internationals. The series had everything; a tense low-scoring opener, momentum swings, a last-over thriller and a jaw-dropping finale.
With the two sides set to meet again in three Metro Bank ODIs and three Vitality IT20s from 10 May, we're taking a look back at three of the standout matches from that series.
1st ODI - Bristol
England won by 30 runs
England's 241 all out felt competitive rather than commanding when the teams took to the field at Bristol, and for long stretches of New Zealand's reply, the result was anything but certain.
The platform had been set by Heather Knight, whose 89 was the backbone of England's innings, supported by Tammy Beaumont's 44 and a typically combative lower-order contribution from Katherine Sciver-Brunt. But it was with the ball that England truly stamped their authority on the match.
Katherine and Nat Sciver-Brunt were devastating in the powerplay, combining to reduce New Zealand to 17 for 2 inside the first ten overs, with Brunt sending down four consecutive maiden overs. Sophie Ecclestone then struck twice in two balls to accelerate the collapse, before Kate Cross added two more to leave the White Ferns in serious trouble.
What kept New Zealand in the contest was a magnificent unbeaten 79 from Amy Satterthwaite, who refused to give up the chase and guided the tourists through a series of threatening partnerships. She dragged the match deep into the final overs, but England's bowlers held firm. A debutant Charlie Dean chipped in with the wicket of Jess Kerr, bowled by a delivery that clipped the top of off stump, a moment that gave a glimpse of things to come for the young spinner.
England won by 30 runs, and a pattern had been set. The bowling attack was formidable. The batting, though, would need to be more consistent across the series to come.
4th ODI - Derby
England won by 3 wickets (with three balls remaining)
If the series needed a defining moment, Derby provided it. New Zealand, trailing 2-1 and desperate to keep the series alive, posted 244 for eight, their highest total of the series, with Katey Martin and Amy Satterthwaite both scoring half-centuries. Hannah Rowe then tore through England's middle order with four wickets, and suddenly the hosts were wobbling.
With the asking rate climbing and wickets tumbling, England needed someone to stand up. Step forward their captain.
Heather Knight's 101 off 107 balls was an innings of composure and class, guiding England's run-chase when it threatened to unravel around her. Knight drove with authority and ran hard between the wickets, keeping England on the right side of the asking rate even as partners came and went at the other end. She brought up her hundred by driving through backward point and sprinting a quick second.
Knight eventually fell in the 49th over, having done the hard work, but she had left England needing just six from the final over. Anya Shrubsole, playing her first game of the series after injury, settled the nerves immediately. A four back over the bowler's head, followed by a single, and England were home with three balls to spare.
A 3-1 series lead. The White Ferns had been magnificent. England had been just a little better when it mattered most.
5th ODI - Canterbury
England won by 203 runs
The final match of the series was supposed to be a dead rubber, but Tammy Beaumont had other ideas.
Playing on her home ground at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, the then Kent batter produced a masterclass of an innings; a composed, front-foot century that anchored everything England built around it. Beaumont made 102, striking back-to-back fours to race through the 90s before reaching three figures to a roar from the Canterbury crowd.
Around her, the innings kept building. Amy Jones added a rapid 60, and Danni Wyatt's extraordinary late cameo, 43 off just 20 balls, including three sixes, helped England to 347 for 5, their highest total of the series and one of the biggest ODI scores in the history of this fixture.
New Zealand's chase never got started. England's bowlers, who had been so impressive throughout the series, were merciless. Kate Cross ripped through the middle order, Heather Knight claimed three wickets in quick succession with her off-spin, and Sophie Ecclestone tied up an end as England bowled the White Ferns out for 144 inside 36 overs.
A 4-1 series win, and a statement of intent from an England side showing what they were capable of at their best.
Now, five years on, New Zealand are back. The first of three ODIs gets underway on 10 May and if history is anything to go by, the series promises to be a cracker.