England v New Zealand: Graeme Swann leaves hosts on cusp of win

Graeme Swann’s late flurry of wickets put England on the cusp of a second Test victory as New Zealand finished on 158-6 at the end of day four at Headingley.

Alastair Cook’s knock of 130 helped put the hosts in charge before the England captain declared after lunch to leave the tourists needing 468 runs to level the series.

Kiwi openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford both fell early in their second innings, with Swann and Steve Finn chipping away at the New Zealand order before bad light ended the day’s play.

Cook and Jonathan Trott emerged at the start of day four of the second Test looking to add to England’s overnight score of 116-1 – a lead of 296.

And the England skipper notched up his 25th Test century before finally falling on 130, while Ian Bell didn’t last long at the crease with his shot caught by Martin Guptill off the bowling of Kane Williamson.

The hosts resumed after lunch with a 429-run lead, and Jonathan Trott was ousted on 76 as he edged a Neil Wagner delivery into Brendon McCullum’s gloves, while Root was dismissed for 28.

Cook declared on 287-5 and New Zealand were left needing 468 runs to salvage the series but made a shaky start to their second innings as Fulton’s shot was caught by Bell off Broad’s bowling.

England spinner Swann particularly impressed in the afternoon session as he dismissed Williamson and Rutherford to leave New Zealand on 68-3.

The Black Caps steadied the ship through Ross Taylor and Dean Brownlie as the pair put on a fourth-wicket partnership of 79 runs before Steve Finn ended the latter’s spell at the crease.

Swann took his third wicket of the day to send Guptill back to the pavilion before dismissing New Zealand’s key man Taylor (70) to leave the tourists on 158-6 at the end of play.