With a single ball to go and just one wicket needed for a win, sunburnt Black Caps fans leaned forward in their seats.
As bowler Trent Boult ran in for the final ball at Eden Park yesterday, the stadium reverberated with the sound of pounded railings and whistles - but it was almost too much for expat Englishman Keith Park 50, from Howick, who covered his face with his straw hat.
"Come on, bring it home," he yelled, while his mate Dean Sharrar, 51, stuttered: "My heartttt ... this is unbelievable."
They weren't alone. In offices throughout the country, workers gathered around televisions to watch the nail-biting finish to a test that has captured the attention of both cricket fans and non-cricket fans.
England narrowly avoided a last over defeat however, in the final match of the test series which was drawn 0-0. England had slumped to 304 for nine with three overs to go after two late catches to Ross Taylor.