Ryan flying with hat-trick

Having been dominated by New Zealand for the majority of the Test at Seddon Park and conceded a 122-runs first innings deficit, few in the ground expected England to still have a chance of victory by the end of the fourth day.

But left-arm seamer Sidebottom claimed England's first hat-trick since Matthew Hoggard achieved the feat four years ago against the West Indies in Barbados to leave New Zealand on 147 for eight by the close, leading by 269 runs with a day remaining.

Sidebottom struck in late afternoon just as New Zealand appeared to be heading for a declaration which would have put England under severe pressure on the final day.

He removed Stephen Fleming with the final ball of his ninth over and then claimed the scalps of Matthew Sinclair and Jacob Oram with the the first two balls of his next over to become only the fourth England player to achieve the feat in the last 50 years.

His efforts sparked a collapse of four wickets for six runs in nine balls and ensured New Zealand slipped from a comfortable 109 for two, leading by 231 with 18 overs of the day remaining, to 115 for six in just two overs.

It brought the momentum firmly back in England's direction after they had been dismissed for 348 shortly after lunch following another defensive batting display in the morning session.

Monty Panesar maintained England's momentum by grabbing a simple return catch to dismiss birthday boy Ross Taylor and then claimed Kyle Mills lbw as he tried to sweep to leave all results still possible on the final day.