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London -- Canterbury all-rounder Chris Cairns will decide whether his stunning 80 runs at The Oval against England will be his best innings for New Zealand when the outcome of the series-deciding test is determined.

Cairns anchored the fading second innings for New Zealand with 80 off 94 balls yesterday, the last 60 runs coming at dazzling speed when the Black Caps' cause was almost lost at 39 for six.

He said if the Black Caps win, he will regard the innings as his best.

``If we don't it just goes down as another score,'' he said.

New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming said the third day's play was one of the most mentally exhausting in his career.

He was in no doubt that Cairns's 80 was his best for New Zealand. It included four sixes and eight fours.

``It was the best under that type of pressure. Some of the shots he played on that wicket against (Phil) Tufnell were amazing,'' Fleming said.

``The situation he went to the crease under and the way he responded was the testament to the innings.

``He basically took the game away from England and gave us an opportunity.''

Fleming said New Zealand's dreadful start was a mixture of nerves, the wicket, and better England bowling.

``But we've grabbed enough of a chance to make it very interesting. They still need 155 runs which is more than what they got in the first innings and we've got two key players out. But there's obviously a lot more twists left in this yet.''

Earlier yesterday Cairns wrapped up the England first innings with a five-wicket bag. He took his tally of test victims to 127 in wrapping up the England first innings and only Richard Hadlee (431), Danny Morrison (160), and his dad Lance Cairns (130) have captured more wickets.

What has become clear in this series is that with Cairns and Dion Nash bowling the new ball in unison, New Zealand possesses a more ruthless attack than it has had for some time.

Cairns mustered up the fastest pace of his career, firing several deliveries down at 141.62kmh.