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Thrilled New Zealand Cricket chief executive Chris Doig says coach Steve Rixon has ``returned the faith we had in him''.

Rixon yesterday enjoyed his finest moment in his three-year reign as Black Caps coach as his side gave him the perfect parting present when it beat England to win the fourth test at The Oval and take the series 2-1.

Rixon's side became the first New Zealand team to beat England twice in a test series in England.

It was the second time New Zealand has beaten England in a series on English soil. The first occasion was in 1986 as New Zealand prevailed 1-0 in a three-test series when the great Richard Hadlee was at the peak of his powers.

Doig would not say the Black Caps' test series triumph over England and making the World Cup semi-finals in June had vindicated the controversial decision to appoint Rixon, but the NZC boss was delighted for the colourful Australian. ``I haven't really looked at it like that, in fairness,'' said Doig, side-stepping the vindication issue.

``We made our decision. We appointed who we thought was the best person for the job and he's gone on and returned the faith that we had in him.''

Doig said he was pleased for Rixon - the first foreigner to coach the national team - because ``he's copped a lot of flak, as we all have''.

``In the final analysis, he walks away with a record that is second to none as far as coaching is concerned.''

New Zealand has won nine of its 25 tests under Rixon.

Doig said Rixon leaves the New Zealand team ``considerably better off'' than when he took it over.

He added that manager John Graham, technical adviser Ashley Ross, and sports psychologist Gilbert Enoka had also played their part in maturing the side.