Graeme Swann starred with the ball as England moved closer to victory in the second Test against New Zealand at Headingley on Monday.
England's second innings came to an end shortly after lunch, with Alastair Cook hitting 130 as the hosts reached 287-5 to lead the Black Caps by 467 runs.
Despite Ross Taylor's brilliant 70, England took wickets at regular intervals as Swann caused havoc by taking 4-61.
Bad light stopped play with New Zealand on 158-6 but a poor weather forecast for Tuesday means that the tourists could still snatch a draw.
Read below to find out how the drama unfolded at Headingley.
Good morning everyone. You may not have agreed with England's decision to bat again yesterday but the fact is that they are in control of this match. Can they secure a 2-0 series victory? We'll have a better idea at the end of day four.
England lead by 296 runs with two days left in this match, so a New Zealand win looks unlikely but the hosts want a victory to end this series in a positive way. England will be positive and they'll know that tomorrow's forecast is not good.
The usual tactic for England is safety first. I'd expect the hosts to bat until later on this afternoon to make sure they have enough runs.
Captain Cook is just 12 runs short of yet another Test century and this innings has come at an important time early in a crucial summer. Nick Compton is struggling for consistency and it's his place that is at threat before the Ashes series.
New Zealand need a big display today, that much is clear. Boult and Southee need to bring their best this morning if they are to shake up this England batting lineup.
England have got plenty of strength in depth and with Root full of confidence alongside Yorkshire teammate Jonny Bairstow, the hosts will expect to set a big total in a positive manner.
Here we go then. The players are heading out of the dressing rooms and we're just a few minutes away from play. England begin the day on 116-1, with Cook on 88 and Trott on 11. The hosts lead by 296.
It will be Southee who begins the action this morning.
Tidy start from Southee as he begins with a full length to Cook, who pushes a couple of drives straight to the fielder at mid-off in a maiden over.
Wagner takes the ball from the other end for the Kiwis. Trott gets off the mark for the day by guiding the ball to deep point for a single. A slightly wider ball allows Cook to free his arms and drive a single, his 10,000th run in international cricket. Trott ends the over on a high as he picks up four runs to third man.
Southee is too full early in the over but a fielder in the deep means Cook can only collect a single. Trott quickly hands the strike back to Cook, who moves to 94 with a well timed push down the ground for four.
Trott expertly flicks the ball off his pads for a single early in a new over. Cook decides against pulling a slower ball from Wagner but does get off strike thanks to a leg-bye. Trott adds one more with a nudge into the leg-side. Solid start from the hosts.
Southee is very accurate throughout the over and almost finds a way through Trott's defence thanks to a hint of reverse swing just outside off-stump. Trott then does well to keep out a slower ball from the bowler before sneaking a risky single to point.
First change of the morning as Bracewell comes into the attack but he's loose early on and Trott cuts away for a single. A punch off the hip pushes Cook close to a century. Four from Bracewell's first over when Trott whips the ball to mid-wicket for two more.
CENTURY! Cook produces a perfect cover drive to reach the rope and bring up his century. The captain continues to do what he does best at the top of the order and that's his 25th hundred in Test cricket. Five scored in the over.
There's no third man for New Zealand and Trott takes advantage of the gap to guide the ball to the rope with the latest of cut shots. Another single is taken by the same batsman from the final ball to ensure he keeps the strike. Six more from the over.
Trott picks the gap at wide mid-on at the start of a new over from Williamson and earns four runs. Much better from the spinner following that loose delivery as he finds a probing line just outside off-stump. Just the four from the over.
Cook has now scored seven centuries in 11 games as captain. Astonishing record by the opener.
Superb stroke from Cook to punch the ball straight down the ground for four off Bracewell. A cut shot brings Trott on strike and he enjoys a bit of luck as a thick edge sails past slip for four more. One more single for each batsman, 11 from the over.
Cook swings and misses outside off-stump but gets the cut shot right two balls later to pick up three behind square on the off-side. Trott continues to pick the gaps and finds a single to mid-on.
Good bouncer from Bracewell and Cook is struck on the helmet by the ball when he misses an attempted pull shot. A light touch off the bat runs quickly to fine leg to give England's leader another boundary. A pull shot brings a single and that's the century partnership.
Too short from Williamson but Cook can only find a single to cover point. Easy pickings this morning for England but Trott lives dangerously when a difficult chance is put down by Taylor at slip following a reverse sweep. It's four runs to the batsman and that's seven from the over.
Cook gets off strike early in Bracewell's over before Trott adds another run with a well taken single on the off-side. The bowler does well to get a hand on a punch down the ground from Cook to keep the centurion from reaching the rope again.
If you're wondering where Boult is, he won't be bowling today due to a side strain. Big blow for the Black Caps, who trail by 361.
Much better over from Williamson, who decides to go fuller with his length. Just two runs in the over for England. Time for a drinks break.
Cook continues to accumulate runs after that short break as he cuts past the slips for four. Bracewell attempts the bouncer again but Cook is able to pick up a single with a slightly miscued pull shot behind square.
Williamson's short ball is drilled to the fielder in the deep by Cook for a single. Trott is surprised by some sharp turn outside off-stump on two occasions but manages to sneak a single from the final ball to keep the strike.
Bracewell is bringing the ball back nicely but Trott uses the movement to collect a single midway through the over. Cook pulls powerfully through mid-wicket but a fielder in the deep restricts him to a single. Trott once again steals the strike with a single from the final ball to move within one of a half-century.
Williamson starts a new over with a dreadful full toss but Trott only manages to crunch a single to mid-wicket to bring up his fifty. Much better from the number three this morning following his slow start last night. Five runs from Williamson's over.
Trott nudges another single at the beginning of a new spell from Southee. Cook then brings up 200 for England with a cut through the off-side. England's run-rate continues to make for good reading for Andy Flower upstairs when Trott clips the ball behind square on the leg-side for four more. Two more for Trott to third man and it's eight from the over.
WICKET! COOK (130) C SOUTHEE B WILLIAMSON
Cook's intentions are clear as he skips down the track but his shot is mistimed and Southee is presented with a simple catching opportunity at mid-off. The captain is gone but his 25th Test century has effectively ended New Zealand's bid for a series draw.
Bell gets off the mark with a touch of class when he reverse sweeps the ball for four. This situation should suit Bell as England look to pile on the runs before lunch.
Trott is frustrated in his attempt to earn a single to third man by Taylor on more than one occasion in the over. A run eventually comes with a push through the off-side and that's the only blemish on a good over by Southee.
Trott hands the strike to Bell, who sweeps very fine for two off the spin of Williamson.
WICKET! BELL (6) C GUPTILL B WILLIAMSON
Bell attempts the slog-sweep but gets it completely wrong and has to go back to the dressing room when Guptill takes a catch following a juggle. Root is the new batsman but it's Trott who ends the over with a single.
An overthrow allows Trott to add an extra run as the lead is extended to 397. The batsman then hands the strike to his new partner thanks to a clip off the hip to fine leg but Root is happy to defend his first ball.
Trott guides the ball through the tightest of gaps at wide mid-on to earn two runs and does the same later on with a nudge to square-leg. 15 minutes left in the session for England to pile on some more runs.
Root gets off the mark with a push to deep mid-wicket for a single and the singles continue to flow as the England duo trade runs in the middle of the over.
McCullum decides it's time for something a bit different as Guptill comes into the attack to bowl his own version of spin. An awful full toss perhaps shows us why he's a part-time bowler but Trott manages to miscue his sweep. A quicker ball is brilliantly picked by Root late in the over and he earns four with the cut behind square. Seven scored in the over.
Wagner is only slightly too wide at the beginning of a new over but that's enough for Root to guide the ball through third man for four. Good running from the England duo as Root hurries a couple to fine leg. Brilliant improvisation from Root two balls later when he reverse sweeps a quicker Wagner ball to the rope for four.
LUNCH: The reverse sweep continues to be played by England and enjoyed by the fans, with Trott finding the rope this time. Five runs from Guptill's over and it's time for lunch.
It's certainly been England's morning and they lead by 429 at the interval. Trott has 76 to his name, while Root has raced to 20 from 15 balls.
Join me again in around 35 minutes for the beginning of the afternoon session.
Welcome back everyone. England will be delighted with their work so far this morning but how long do they wait before declaring?
McCullum gets his team together for one final huddle before the start of the session as Trott and Root walk out towards the middle. Cook knows they must allow time to force a victory here.
WICKET! TROTT (76) C McCULLUM B WAGNER
Trott wastes no time in attacking but edges the ball to McCullum, who takes a brilliant diving catch to his right. Wagner has his first wicket of the innings to deny Trott a century.
Bairstow comes out to the middle and joins his Yorkshire teammate. These two can certainly provide some entertainment but surely the declaration is coming sooner rather than later. It's a wicket maiden to start the session.
Guptill begins a new over with a full toss and Root cashes in by hammering the ball to the rope for four. Bairstow is then given the strike but is stopped from getting off the mark by a fielder in close at fine leg.
Wagner is too wide and Bairstow cuts the ball away for a run before abandoning plans for a second. McCullum takes the bails off but a quick look upstairs shows the batsman just managed to make his ground. Bairstow then gets off the mark with two through extra cover before pulling to mid-on for another run. Two more singles are added, six from the over.
Good running by England when Bairstow tucks the ball behind square to hurry two runs. A big slog follows but a thin edge means Bairstow only gets three to fine leg. Singles are then traded before Bairstow finds two more to deep mid-wicket.
WICKET! ROOT (28) C GUPTILL B WAGNER
Root drives powerfully but the ball goes straight into the hands of Guptill at cover. The Yorkshire ace heads back inside but the declaration still doesn't come.
Wagner fires in a bouncer at Prior but the new arrival takes it on and top edges the ball over McCullum for four.
Gorgeous shot from Bairstow, who dances down the pitch to smash the ball straight over the rope for six. Guptill pushes one wider but Bairstow goes after the ball to drive through the air for four more. The batsman continues his assault on the part-time bowler with a lofted four down the ground before sneaking a single.
ENGLAND DECLARE: Cook waves his hands to invite Bairstow back into the dressing room. England declare with a lead of 467 runs.
If we're not delayed for any reason, there's still 68 overs left in the day. England need to do something special to claim a win but with Swann in form anything can happen.
It's a quick change and the England side are already back out in the middle. Rutherford and Fulton follow their opponents onto the field.
Cook can be very attacking for the rest of the day. There will be plenty of fielders close to the bat. A couple of early wickets could scare this fragile New Zealand batting lineup.
Anderson begins with the new ball and there's some movement immediately but the line isn't too threatening and Rutherford is happy to watch a maiden.
New Zealand are off the mark thanks to a couple of leg-byes behind square on the leg-side. Broad gives the ball a chance to swing with a full length but Rutherford is confident enough to drive for four through cover. England won't mind seeing the openers playing those shots.
Prior is left defeated by a swinging ball down the leg-side as New Zealand are given four more leg-byes. A bit of extra pace from Anderson pushes Fulton deep in his crease. Good defence on show from the Kiwi opener.
Rutherford stands tall to punch the ball through the off-side for four at the beginning of Broad's over. The next delivery keeps low and a deflection off the toe of the bat gives Rutherford a single.
Fulton flicks the ball away from his pads and towards mid-wicket where Finn fails in his attempt to stop the ball reaching the rope. The same batsman flirts with a wider delivery and wisely pulls his bat away before he offers an edge to Prior.
Broad starts a new over with a sharp bouncer to force Rutherford into ducking. Another drive is crunched towards cover by the batsman but he picks out the fielder this time. The left-handed batsman lives dangerously at the end of the over when he leaves a ball that creeps just past the stumps.
The openers have looked pretty comfortable against the seamers so far but they'll know that the big test comes when Swann is introduced. Another maiden from Anderson but he fails to force Fulton into playing enough balls.
Rutherford nudges the ball to point to pick up a run early in broad's over.
WICKET! FULTON (5) C BELL B BROAD
England needed a breakthrough and it's Broad who provides one. A bit of extra bounce surprises Fulton and he offers a simple catch to Bell at gully. Williamson in next.
Williamson comes in and defends the first three balls. England know how frustrating the number three can be here.
Rutherford gets off strike at the beginning of Anderson's over with a clip to fine leg. Williamson receives some treatment on his finger after being struck in Broad's last over. The batsman regroups and drives his first two runs past the fielder at mid-off.
Anderson does superbly to stop Rutherford's cover drive but he can't do anything about a single through the off-side a ball later. A push off the back foot by Williamson allows the two Kiwis to rush a single.
England should think about getting a short-leg in for both of these players with the extra bounce that seems to be about. Williamson picks out mid-on with a well-timed nudge before Cook hears my advice and brings Bell in close. Maiden over.
Great shot from Rutherford, who cuts a shorter ball over gully for four runs and Broad nods in approval. A single brings Williamson on strike and he's almost gone when he plays and misses outside off-stump.
Cook decides that he's seen enough and brings Swann into the attack for the first time in this innings. The spinner immediately finds some turn to trouble Rutherford. Root reacts superbly at short-leg to almost run out the batsman before Swann beats the bat for the second time in the over. The batsman ends the over by whipping the ball through mid-wicket for three runs.
Second bowling change in as many overs as Finn gets the ball for the first time. Six runs come in the over, with Rutherford's gorgeous cover drive the highlight.
WICKET! WILLIAMSON (3) LBW B SWANN
Big, big wicket for England! Williamson is struck on the pad and is forced to leave the field after being proved he was out on review. Swann does it again for the hosts, Taylor in next.
Taylor lives life dangerously when he plays across the line to get off the mark with a single. Good over from Swann.
Finn causes Taylor a few problems early in the over and quickly aborts a hopeful lbw appeal. Accurate from Finn but Taylor refuses to give away his wicket.
Rutherford finds a single at the start of Swann's over to give the strike to Taylor. The newer batsman will give Swann chances as he continues to use his feet to meet the ball. A push to point gives Taylor a single and he'll keep the strike.
A punch to cover brings a single for Taylor and Rutherford finds another run with a nudge to mid-wicket. Taylor then clips the ball through the leg-side before leisurely running for three.
Swann is slightly too full and Rutherford takes advantage to expertly guide the ball through mid-wicket for four. The opener then takes a big risk when he lofts a shot straight into the air but the ball lands safely, thankfully for New Zealand.
Taylor is able to walk a single when he flicks the ball to fine leg early in the over. Finn brings one back sharply to hit Rutherford on the thigh before the opener continues his lucky spell with a slice over gully for four. He'll keep the strike, thanks to a single to mid-wicket.
Swann loses his line and Rutherford is able to clip the ball away for a couple on the leg-side.
WICKET! RUTHERFORD (42) C ROOT B SWANN
Rutherford's spell of good fortune comes to an end when he prods the ball straight to Root at short-leg. Good catch and that's a great time to take a wicket for England.
Big spin for Swann outside off-stump but Brownlie manages to work the ball behind square on the leg-side for a single. Testing times for the Kiwis.
TEA: Good over from Finn, who concedes just two runs. The umpires confirm it's time for tea. England are seven wickets from victory.
If England don't win this Test then there will be plenty of people who point the finger at Cook and Flower following that delayed declaration.
The fact is that England still can win this game but they may have to do it this evening due to tomorrow's forecast.
Cook appears on the field with a big grin on his face. He'll be hoping that smile sticks around. Swann will continue with the ball.
Swann finds the edge early in the over but Taylor is safe and earns four runs to third man with the false shot. The same batsman claims a single on the leg-side two balls later. Good start from Swann.
Taylor nudges a single at the beginning of a new spell from Anderson. Brownlie doesn't have as much freedom as the bwoler pushes him back in the crease.
A leading edge from Taylor squirms through a gap on the off-side for two runs. Taylor makes much better contact with the next delivery as he drills a shot through the covers for four. Big drift from Swann but Taylor negates the threat once more to sneak a single.
Taylor will always be positive and he shows his stroke-making ability with a late cut through the gully region for another boundary. Good defence from Taylor throughout an over that's delivered very straight by Anderson. Another three runs to deep mid-wicket and it's 10 from the over.
A thick edge from Brownlie evades Trott at slip and races away to the rope at third man. Swann's hands are on his head when the ball deflects off the pad and rolls just past the stumps. Good over from the spinner, who ends it by beating the outside edge.
Cook persists with the split field for Taylor but the batsman earns two runs with an open-faced shot to third man. The former skipper adds another and Brownlie is happy to block out the remaining delivery.
Swann clearly thinks a fuller length is the correct tactic for Taylor but he's left frustrated as he watches a cover drive race to the rope. Taylor's in charge at the moment and he keeps the strike with a punch into the off-side.
Taylor nudges the ball to mid-off for one run to give the strike to Brownlie. Some extra bounce threatens Brownlie but he does well to prod the ball to safety. The same batsman collects a single from the final ball to keep the strike.
Brownlie whips a full toss into the leg-side and a mistake from Anderson allows the Kiwi to pick up three runs. Great shot from Taylor, who leans on a fuller ball to pick up four through extra cover.
More runs for Brownlie through third man, with the number five picking up three early in Anderson's over. Singles are traded between the New Zealand men later on in the over before Taylor is forced to dig out a good yorker from Anderson.
It's got very gloomy around Headingley suddenly and the umpires are considering going off the field. They stay on for now as Swann prepares for another over.
Swann races through the over and it's a maiden as the umpires prepare to test the light with their device.
Root is coming on for a bowl as the light deteriorates. The umpires are happy for the part-time spinner to come on too. It's a good over from the local lad and a single for Taylor is the only blemish.
Good timing from Taylor to earn two with a late cut through third man. Swann is consistent but Taylor is happy to sit back and play the ball from deep in his crease. A thick edge provides a single for the batsman towards the end of the over.
Root comes round the wicket at the beginning of a new over and is fortunate to see a full toss hammered straight to Anderson at mid-on. It's not too threatening from the spinner but it is a maiden.
The umpires continue to look up at the sky but the players remain on, for now,
Swann quickens his pace in the over and causes Taylor a problem with a bit of extra bounce. There's a big lbw appeal from England but it's quickly dismissed by the umpire and there's no review. Good choice by Cook as it was too high and hit Brownlie outside the line of off-stump.
Finn is back on, which suggests that the umpires probably feel the light has improved slightly. Big, big appeal from England against Taylor but it's rejected. It looked a good shout but a review from Cook shows the ball would have only just clipped leg-stump, so the decision remain not out. Good return for Finn, with just one single being scored
FIFTY! Taylor pushes the ball through point for a couple and that's his half-century. That innings has come at a crucial time for the tourists. Taylor's knock is nearly over when a delivery keeps low but he somehow manages to get bat on ball. Four more to third man for the batsman with a flick of the wrists outside off-stump.
Brownlie does very well to fend off a sharp bouncer from Finn while sneaking a single in the process. Taylor keeps out a couple in-swinging deliveries before clipping the ball to square-leg for a single. One more for Brownlie and he'll keep the strike.
Great over from Swann, who threatens with all six deliveries. The length is challenging but Brownlie applies himself well to block out a maiden.
Not many better cutters of the ball in world cricket than Taylor and he uses that skill to hammer four runs behind point off Finn. Good bouncer follows and Taylor gets himself in trouble as he takes a nasty blow on the shoulder. Another short ball is delivered but Taylor does well to sneak a single to square-leg. Brownlie adds four more through third man and it's now time for a drinks break.
England nearly have their man after the break when Taylor is given out caught behind. Taylor immediately appeals the decision and Hotspot shows that the sound was pad against bat. Impressive from Swann but Taylor continues to battle away.
Great keeping from Prior to stop a low delivery down the leg-side from Finn. The bowler continues with the shorter length but Brownlie can get on top of the bounce to nudge a single. A dodgy bounce completely beats Broad at mid-on to give Taylor another three runs.
WICKET! BROWNLIE (25) C BELL B FINN
Brilliant fast bowling from Finn. A bouncer is directed superbly and Brownlie can only glove the ball to Bell at gully. Big breakthrough for the hosts but Cook must put the pressure back on New Zealand now.
Guptill survives his first ball. England need six wickets to win. Can they do something special in the final hour?
Taylor nudges the ball away for a single on the off-side midway through Swann's over. Guptill is beaten by one that holds its line just outside off-stump before deciding to leave the final ball.
Taylor turns one into the leg-side for a single to get to the non-striker's end. Guptill lives life dangerously but manages to survive when he leaves one that was a little too close for comfort.
It's another good over from Swann but Taylor looks in great form at the crease as he defends a maiden.
Good probing over from Finn and he almost finds a way through with an in-swinging yorker. Guptill survives the delivery and sneaks a single to mid-wicket. Taylor flicks the final ball off his toes for four to move to 69.
Guptill is finding it tough out there at the moment but he battles well throughout Swann's over and uses his feet to negate the spin. Maiden over, looks like it could be time for Broad.
Movement straight away for Broad but it does too much to spark an appeal for lbw early in the over. Taylor is made to play throughout the over but defends well. Good return for Broad.
Brilliant fielding from Broad at cover to block Guptill's powerful drive.
WICKET! GUPTILL (3) C TROTT B SWANN
Classic off-spinner's dismissal as Swann catches the edge and the rest of the job is done by Trott, who takes the catch at slip. England need five more wickets to win the match.
McCullum survives the first two balls of his innings. 11 overs left in the day.
Taylor takes a single early in Broad's over to get off strike. The umpires are clearly worried about the light again as the clouds gather around Headingley. Decent, but not threatening, from Broad.
WICKET! TAYLOR (70) B SWANN
Swann does it again! It's the wicket England needed as the spinner sneaks a fuller ball through Taylor's defence. The hosts will have an eye on victory now, if the bad light stays away.
Southee is the new batsman and he must fight his attacking intent to make sure this game goes into the final day. The new batsman stays back and does well to miss the final ball as Swann continues to threaten.
The umpires are clearly concerned about the light, so Cook has sent Root back on to bowl. England's centurion does well to keep bringing McCullum forward but the bowling is met with some stubborn defensive strokes.
Southee decides not to bother with defending and strikes Bell on the foot at short-leg before drilling the ball straight down the ground for four more.
BAD LIGHT STOPS PLAY: The umpires come together once again and they decide that enough is enough. Both sides are sent back to the dressing rooms as the skies at Headingley continue to darken.
The umpires have confirmed that play is over for the day now. England still need four wickets to win this game and hold a lead of 309 at stumps. As I've said, the forecast looks bad tomorrow but Cook will be hoping his side have enough time to claim the victory.
Thanks for joining me on what has been an intriguing day of Test cricket. Return at 10.30am tomorrow morning as England look to beat the weather conditions on their way to a possible 2-0 series win.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
