England close in on series win

Having set an unlikely victory target of 553 after declaring early on 467 for five, leaving them a minimum of 168 overs to secure their triumph, England were frustrated for most of the fourth day.

But left-arm spinner Panesar struck twice in four overs after tea, while Broad also struck twice in a marathon 14-over spell as New Zealand battled to 222 for five by the close.

England had batted on for just 35 minutes during the morning session in the hope that Middlesex left-hander Andrew Strauss, who had resumed overnight on 173, would progress to the first double-hundred of his career.

But Strauss added just four runs before attempting to hit off-spinner Jeetan Patel over the top in the second over of the day and allowed Matthew Bell the opportunity to run back from mid-off to take the catch.

Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose, who had resumed overnight on 28, added just three runs before falling in the next over to Daniel Vettori, but Broad added a quickfire 31 off only 26 balls before captain Michael Vaughan called a halt to the innings.

Openers Jamie How and Bell battled through to lunch, but Panesar struck two overs after the break when How pushed forward tentatively and was given out lbw by umpire Darryl Harper.

Former captain Stephen Fleming, playing his final Test innings, then forged a gutsy 99-run second-wicket stand with Bell, who was playing for his place in New Zealand's squad for the forthcoming tour of England having scored only 48 runs in his previous five innings.

But after battling for over three hours, Bell (69) missed his chance of finishing the series with a century when he mis-timed a pull off Panesar from the third ball after tea and was caught in the deep. And just three overs later, Fleming (66) attempted to cut Panesar and instead gave an edge behind to Ambrose.

Broad strengthened England's advantage seven overs later when he ended Mathew Sinclair's dismal series with a short ball he could only fend off the bat handle behind to Ambrose, and he removed Grant Elliott in almost identical fashion, with Ian Bell running back from short leg to take the catch.