Broad shows signs of class

The 21-year-old Nottinghamshire seamer has often been overshadowed by the performances of Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson and Monty Panesar since establishing himself in the Test side.

But when England needed a breakthrough as they pushed for victory on the third day at Trent Bridge, it was Broad that provided it with four wickets which put his side firmly on course for a 2-0 victory in the npower series.

Broad claimed two wickets to help dismiss New Zealand for 123, giving captain Michael Vaughan the opportunity to enforce the follow-on with a 241-run lead, and then grabbed another couple as the tourists battled to 177 for five, still needing 64 more runs to avoid a humiliating innings defeat.

It was an impressive display for a player who had finished wicketless in the previous Test at Old Trafford when Panesar took the accolades, and given only five overs on Friday as Anderson claimed career-best figures of six for 42.

Until his eye-catching haul of four for 46 from 17 overs in a day restricted to only 73.1 overs by rain, which ruled out play before 1.40pm, his major contribution to the match had been a career-best innings of 64 with the bat.

The tourists, in disarray the night before following Anderson's stunning display of swing bowling, had clearly re-assembled when they resumed on 96 for six, still needing a further 69 to save the follow-on.

But Daniel Vettori (seven), Kyle Mills (one), Iain O'Brien (nought) and Gareth Hopkins (15) could not prevent the visiting side having to bat again.

Brendon McCullum (71) and Daniel Flynn (49) led the fightback during New Zealand's second innings but it was England who left the field at the end of day three firmly in control.

Jacob Oram (eight not out) and Hopkins (seven not out) set to resume on Sunday.