Now the force is with England, says Luke

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The Sussex all-rounder bowled the final over in Wednesday's thrilling game which ended in a tie when New Zealand failed to score the seven runs needed to sew up the series.

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Close-run thing: Wright just fails to run out Daniel Vettori as New Zealand got away with a tie

'I think if we'd have been in their position and got a tie I think it would have been pretty devastating,' said Wright.

'To go into the last game with the series alive is obviously the worst scenario for them and we can take a lot of credit for the way we've fought back and shown a lot of character. Hopefully we can take that on and win.'

After the opening two games, England looked set for huge embarrassment, so the fact they can level the series with victory here is something of an achievement. New Zealand may have to go into the decider without Brendon McCullum, whose right hand was damaged when he was struck by Jimmy Anderson. England's only possible change might be bringing back the specialist spin of Graeme Swann for Dimitri Mascarenhas.

With England's specialist Test players having arrived here for the build-up next week to the three-match series, this is the chance to sign off in one-day cricket until the summer by adding a fighting series draw against the third-ranked team in the world to their recent victories against India and Sri Lanka.

Wright, 22, who started his career more bowler than batsman with Leicestershire, is now at home in Sussex and clearly enjoyed playing a key part in the tied game.

'My bowling is something I want to keep going,' said Wright. 'When I first joined Sussex I would open the bowling in one-day cricket but it hasn't happened for a while. I've bowled at the death a few times but not a lot. It's something Ottis Gibson (the England bowling coach) has got us all practising out here because you never know when you might be needed.'

Andrew Flintoff was ruled out with a stomach bug as a depleted England Lions lost to Maharashtra by two wickets in Mumbai. The Lions posted 182 from their 50 overs and could not defend it despite Durham's Graham Onions taking seven for 39.