Wickets fall in heap,Test in balance

The first two Tests resulted in rain-effected draws and the hosts had been looking to score at least close to 200 in their second innings to give themselves a strong chance of their first series win over England since 1999. Broad,however,removed Hamish Rutherford for a third ball duck,Anderson forced Kane Williamson to chop on for one before Broad had Ross Taylor trapped in front for three to swing the match back on a more even keel.

Seven wickets actually fell in Sundays final session after the visitors had resumed after tea on 176 for six before Boult had Broad caught for 16,Steven Finn for a duck and Anderson for four to give him career-best figures of six for 68. Tim Southee bowled Joe Root for 45 to end the innings.

It was a pretty cool feeling out there in the middle when I got the fifth one so obviously to get six was pretty special, Boult told reporters. There is a little bit of swing out there which is pretty nice. Coming out here we knew that it was going to swing and we put the ball in the right areas for long enough and picked up the rewards.

prior-root hold it together

MATT Prior and Root had earlier combined for a 101-run partnership to rebuild Englands innings but the wicketkeeper fell just before tea to hand the advantage back to New Zealand. Prior was dismissed for 73 some 15 minutes before the break when he hammered the ball straight to Rutherford off Neil Wagner.

Until that point,New Zealand had been ruing dropping the wicketkeeper when he was on 24 earlier in the session. The 31-year-old Prior got a thick edge to a Southee delivery only for Dean Brownlie to drop the low chance to his right.

Brownlie got both hands to the ball but it spilled clear as his elbows hit the ground and Southee stood mid pitch with his hands on his hips glaring at his team mate. Root and Prior had come together with England on 72 for five before lunch after Southee and Boult had put New Zealand into a strong position after dismissing Nick Compton 13,Ian Bell 17 and Jonny Bairstow three,all lbw,in the first session.

We came in this morning with a plan,but we didnt bat well, England wicketkeeper Matt Prior said. Credit to the New Zealand bowlers,they bowled in good areas. I know Trent ended up with the most wickets but Tim Southee bowled a couple of good spells and hats off to them.

Brief scores:New Zealand 443 P Fulton 136,K Williamson 91; S Finn 6/125 amp; 35/3 in 23 overs P Fulton batting 14; S Broad 2/7 vs England 204 M Prior 73; T. Boult 6/68.

Prior hopeful of turnaround

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior was doing his best to paint the cheery side of reality after New Zealand tilted the series-deciding third Test in their favour on Sunday.

Theres still a lot of cricket to play. I know it feels like the world is over but its not really, Prior,who top scored with 73 in Englands innings,told reporters. Weve had a couple of bad days.

Were now in a position where we need a bit of luck and a lot of skill,but if we come in tomorrow morning and get early wickets,who knows,it could still be a good day.

Weve got some very good cricketers who can put in some match-winning or match-saving performances.

Were going to have to bat a lot better but we can chase these runs. Guys just have to stick their hands up. he thing I love about this team is that we might do it the hard way but we fight.

Anderson and Broad had looked like they were spoiling for a fight late on Sunday as they steamed in to reduce New Zealand to 8-3,but when Fulton and Brownlie quietly began to see off the onslaught,their nostrils become a little less flared and eyes a little less bulging and wide.

good to be ahead

I dont think 30 for three was in the plan but I think to have a 280-run lead is a pretty good position to be in, Boult,who took a career-best six for 68,told reporters.

8220;We just have to look towards tomorrow morning as the first hour being pretty important. We need to put a couple of good partnerships together and see where that gets us.

8220;I8217;m not sure on a figure but we will see how it unfolds.8221;