Broad eyes 'massive' win

Stuart Broad probes on day four when he earned figures of 23-9-40-2 © Getty Images

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Watch Stuart Broad in the post-play press conference and the full end of day report on ECBtv

Stuart Broad admitted seizing a series triumph over New Zealand would be “a massive win” as England closed in on victory in the final Test - at McLean Park.

Having declared on 467 for seven early on the fourth day to set New Zealand an unlikely victory target of 553, the tourists looked set for a hard two days after New Zealand cruised to 146 for one at tea.

But two wickets apiece in the final session for Nottinghamshire fast bowler Broad and left-arm spinner Monty Panesar left New Zealand on 222 for five at the close and kept the tourists on course for their first overseas series triumph since South Africa three years ago.

“It would be a massive win for us,” admitted 21-year-old Broad. “To win a Test match series away is very hard and it would be magic.

“The squad know that so we’re going to come out fighting tomorrow and we need five big wickets. After going 1-0 down it was tough, but we’ve shown a lot of character to come back and get into this position.”

Broad revealed that England always thought they were would find it tough to make inroads into New Zealand’s line-up on a flat-looking pitch and so it proved with Matthew Bell and Stephen Fleming, playing his final Test innings, forging a 99-run second wicket stand.

But both fell in four overs shortly after tea to leave England needing five wickets for victory on the final day with the second new ball just two overs old.

Stephen Fleming passes fifty in his final Test innings when he struck 66 © Getty Images

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“We knew it was going to be hard work which is why we left ourselves around 170 overs to bowl them out,” said Broad.

“The reason to bat on this morning was to make sure we could set really attacking fields and really go at them and give them an awkward hour before lunch.

“It has flattened out and it is slower but that brings Monty into the game and he’s bowled fantastically today, the best I’ve seen this winter and created a lot of pressure from that end.”

Fleming, dismissed for 66, was able to claim the 54 runs which ensured he finished his career with an average above 40 but was again frustrated in his bid to claim a 10th Test century.

It was the 46th time in 111 Tests he had passed 50 but failed to reach three figures and Fleming, given a guard of honour by England as he walked out to bat, admitted it summed up his career.

“I walked off frustrated which has happened 50 or 60 times in my career and I did have a wry smile to myself that it was probably a fitting way to go,” he said.

“If I’d have made a hundred it would have been an anomaly. I’m disappointed but when I take time to reflect I guess I’m satisfied to have a four in front of my average, but it would have been nice to chalk up 10 hundreds and be having a crack tomorrow to save the game.”

Opener Matthew Bell cuts during his fine knock of 69

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He added: “Losing four wickets in a session has set us back. If it was one or two you’d say it would be a pretty tight day going into tomorrow.

“But as it is it’s going to take pretty strong resistance in the morning and we’ll see how we go in the afternoon - we still have some batting to come, but our backs are against the wall.”

Bell hailed his former skipper but could not hide his frustration at giving away his wicket immediately after tea.

“Stephen got a really nice reception from the English. It was very emotional but we just had a real quick chat and let it all wash over.

“He has been very composed out in the middle and he makes your job easy at the other end.

“I was disappointed that after starting a really good partnership with Stephen I blew it straight after tea. I’ve been struggling for most of the series so it was nice to get out there and feel good for once.”