Panesar breaks Kiwis resistance

Having set an unlikely victory target of 553 after declaring early on the fourth day 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 to hand England the momentum and leave New Zealand on 169 for four in late afternoon at McLean Park.

England had batted on for just 35 minutes this morning 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 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 when he attempted to turn Daniel Vettori off his legs and gave a return catch to the bowler. But Stuart Broad took on the challenge of scoring quick runs and added a quickfire 31 off only 26 balls, which included a six off the final ball of the innings from Patel, before captain Michael Vaughan called a halt to the innings.

Hoping to make early inroads, England were instead given an indication of New Zealand's desire to resist with openers Jamie How and Bell making their best start of the series, eclipsing the 44-run stand they forged during the opening Test in Hamilton. Just two overs after lunch, however, left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed the first breakthrough with How pushing forward tentatively and being given lbw by umpire Darryl Harper. His dismissal sparked a standing ovation for former New Zealand captain Fleming, who strode to the crease for his final Test innings and was given a guard of honour by the England side.

It did not affect his concentration, however, and after getting off the mark with a superbly-timed drive through point off Broad, quickly began to show his class and forged a 99-run second wicket stand.

Bell had entered his final innings of the series 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 missed his chance of finishing the series with a century and mis-timed a pull off Panesar from the third ball after tea and was caught in the deep for a determined 69.

Fleming, who had needed 53 to finish with a Test average over 40, had achieved that objective and looked on course to claim the 10th century of his illustrious career. Just three overs later, however, Fleming attempted to cut Panesar and instead gave an edge behind to wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose standing up to the stumps for 66.

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.