Cricket: Three reasons this is NZ's best test era

New Zealand players huddle before they retake the field after tea on the fifth day of the second Test match between England and New Zealand at Headingley. Photo / AP.

The New Zealand cricketers' victory at Headingley to level the series 1-1 with England has strengthened the case to suggest this is the country's best test era.

The team's attacking tactics have been dubbed revolutionary and make for compelling viewing in the eyes of many. However, three facts suggest the perception has extended beyond the anecdotal and into reality.

1.

A run of seven undefeated series, starting with the Bangladesh in October 2013 and extending to this drawn England series, is the most by any New Zealand side. They have also beaten the West Indies home and away, beaten India and Sri Lanka at home, and drawn with Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates. That makes for four wins and three drawn series.

The previous best unbeaten era was five series, beginning with the 2-1 away victory over Australia in November 1985 and finishing with a draw on the bomb-curtailed Sri Lanka tour of April 1987. Between those bookends they beat Australia and the West Indies at home and England away as Sir Richard Hadlee and Martin Crowe, undisputed greats of the game, made their mark. The tally was four wins and one draw.

2.

Yesterday's triumph was New Zealand's first away win against England in 16 years, second at Headingley, and ninth overall in 101 tests between the countries but, perhaps most importantly, it was their first win in a test starting during May. In seven previous examples - 1965, 2004, 2008 (2), 2013 (2), 2015 - they had lost six and drawn one.

3.

The victory provided another tribute to Brendon McCullum's leadership. He insisted they play the same way they did at Lord's, despite that test slipping from their grasp on the fourth day.

With the win McCullum edges ahead of Geoff Howarth as the most successful New Zealand test captain on the basis of percentage wins. Howarth had 11 from 30 matches (36.67 per cent); McCullum's has nine from 24 matches (37.50 per cent). As a further benchmark, Stephen Fleming earned 28 from 80 matches (35 per cent).

Home and away series against Australia this summer will offer the best gauge yet as to their place in history.

Hesson said maintaining an aggressive mindset was justified.

"It is challenging if it doesn't work out because you can get exposed, but if you truly believe the way you play gives you the best chances of success then, regardless of the situation, you need to stick to your guns.

"We were under pressure a lot and took steps forward from two for two and 23 for two in each innings respectively. We could have gone into our shell but stuck with the way we wanted to play. We soon got back the initiative.

"If you look at the players in the group, most instinctively play with flair. There's also balance with the likes of Kane [Williamson], B-J [Watling] and Tom [Latham].

"Seven undefeated test series in a row is something we're proud of, especially challenging good sides in their home conditions."

New Zealand now prepare for five one-day internationals and one Twenty20 against England.

World Cup incumbents Grant Elliott, Nathan McCullum and Mitchell McClenaghan rejoin the squad, while left-arm pace bowler Ben Wheeler and left-arm orthodox all-rounder Mitchell Santner are expected to make their limited overs debuts.