Stephen Fleming’s century was not enough to help guide the BLACKCAPS into the Tri-Series final.
Despite a 106 by the captain and four wickets from Shane Bond, England claimed a 14-run win in Brisbane to take their place alongside Australia in the best-of-three series.
Paul Collingwood also struck 106 as England posted 270 for seven batting first.
Bond removed captain Michael Vaughan for a duck, Ian Bell (12), danger man Andrew Flintoff (17) and Collingwood (106).
However, the Durham all-rounder returned to restrict the New Zealanders with two for 46 off 10 overs, in tandem with Flintoff (one for 37).
Vaughan won the toss and elected to bat, but faced just one legitimate ball, a fine in-swinging yorker that sent him back to the pavilion.
Scott Styris caught Bell at slip off Bond, while Brendon McCullum took the catch to dismiss Ed Joyce (26), from James Franklin’s bowling.
Collingwood and Andrew Strauss shared a century stand. The Middlesex batsman made 55, but was bowled by his former Lord’s colleague Styris in the 34th over.
Bond returned to the attack and claimed the key wicket of Flintoff, caught deep by Franklin and ended Collingwood’s 121-ball stint.
The State Canterbury Wizard ended with figures four for 46 off 10, after Jamie Dalrymple (29) and Liam Plunkett (15) put on 19 in the last 10 balls to enhance their team’s total.
Plunkett opened the BLACKCAPS innings with an expensive 121-ball over, matched by fellow new ball bowler Sajid Mahmood.
Fleming and Lou Vincent maintained a quick pace, but the latter fell for three, caught by Flintoff after Monty Panesar’s early introduction.
Fleming and Ross Taylor added 62, but the tyro was run out in the 35th over. With the score on 169, the BLACKCAPS looked on course.
But Plunkett’s return to the attack was a massive improvement on his opening spell, and he saw off Jacob Oram (four) and McCullum (two).
The Kiwis’ hopes effectively ended when Collingwood accounted for Daniel Vettori (10) and Flintoff removed Fleming within six balls.
Franklin (22 not out) and Bond (8*) attempted an unlikely tail-end fight back, but it is England who go on to the best-of-three finals, with the BLACKCAPS left to concentrate on hosting the world champions in the Chappell-Hadlee Series.
