England level series

England players celebrate levelling the series with a convincing win in Wellington

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Watch Michael Vaughan's post-match press conference and the final Test report from Wellington on ECBtv

England needed only one session on the final day to wrap up a comprehensive 126-run victory over New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington.

Resuming on the fifth morning on 242 for six, chasing an improbable 438 for victory, New Zealand lost their last four wickets inside an hour and a half to be bowled out for 311.

Brendon McCullum narrowly missed out on a century - he was the last man to fall for 85 - while Ryan Sidebottom claimed two wickets to finish with outstanding figures of 5-105.

Victory - England’s first on foreign soil since they beat India in Mumbai two years ago - saw them draw level in the series, and set up a decisive final encounter in Napier, which starts on Saturday.

It was fitting that Sidebottom took the catch that sealed England’s deserved triumph, for his efforts in the second innings were crucial to ending New Zealand’s hopes of completing a remarkable run-chase.

That remained possible - albeit highly unlikely - while McCullum was at the crease, but when he drove Monty Panesar to long-on half an hour before lunch, English celebrations began in earnest.

Vettori had fallen in the second over of the morning without scoring, edging Sidebottom off the back foot to Alastair Cook’s right at third slip, the first time the New Zealand captain had failed with the bat this series.

Ryan Sidebottom traps Kyle Mills leg before early on the fifth morning © Getty Images

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Though England managed to rein McCullum in with greater success than they did on the fourth evening, when he raced to 43 not out, they could not prevent him going to an 80-ball half-century containing five fours and two sixes.

He also hooked Stuart Broad over deep backward square-leg for six, but not before Kyle Mills had fallen lbw to Sidebottom, half forward to a delivery that arced back in from over the wicket to give the left-armer his third five-wicket haul in Tests.

That left New Zealand 270 for eight, and McCullum and Mark Gillespie frustrated England for the best part of an hour by adding 41 for the ninth wicket.

McCullum was put down at first slip on 82 off James Anderson, Andrew Strauss spilling a sharp chance at head height as the wicketkeeper-batsman flashed hard outside off stump.

But Anderson ended Gillespie’s doughty resistance later that over courtesy of a faint outside edge as he backed away, and Chris Martin’s arrival at the crease persuaded McCullum to try and hit Panesar over long-on.

He found only Sidebottom as he advanced down the track, and the fielder’s passionate celebrations as he wheeled away towards the English contingent in the crowd said much for what this victory meant to the tourists.