Napier (New Zealand), March 23: An inspired spell of precision bowling by Ryan Sidebottom pulled England off the ropes and put them in charge of the third cricket Test against New Zealand as 15 wickets fell here on Sunday.

After a day of fluctuating fortunes, England reached stumps on the second day of the series decider at 91/2, holding an overall lead of 176.

As batsmen contrived to make the placid McLean Park wicket look dangerous, England’s first innings folded for a seemingly inconsequential 258.

New Zealand raced to 103/1 in reply before Sidebottom grabbed the initiative and New Zealand’s last nine wickets tumbled for 65 runs with the left-arm quick claiming a career-best 7/47.

The carnage continued when England started their second innings with Chris Martin having Michael Vaughan caught behind by Brendon McCullum for four in the first over.

Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss then put on 72 for the second wicket before Cook was caught behind by McCullum leaving Strauss not out 40 and Kevin Pietersen on seven.

As momentum swung between sessions New Zealand were firmly in control in the morning, polishing off the last three England batsmen for 13 runs and then pounding the England bowlers, Sidebottom apart, to go to lunch at 1/93.

Central to the New Zealand batting onslaught was Stephen Fleming who joined Jamie How in the middle when Sidebottom removed Matthew Bell with the third ball of the innings.

Fleming, in his final Test, was particularly harsh on James Anderson, and belted him out of the attack early as he raced to 59 off 72 balls

Scores: England 253 & 91/2 (Cook 40, Strauss 40 batting, Martin 1/23, Patel 1/14) vs New Zealand 168 (How 44, Fleming 59, Sidebottom 7/47, Broad 3/54)