Cricket: England in control after two days

Kane Williamson of New Zealand bats during day two of the second Test match between New Zealand and England. Photo / Getty Images.

Two wickets in as many balls from Stuart Broad during the final session of play today has put England on top after two days of the second cricket test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

The tall seamer sent Kiwi opener Hamish Rutherford and Ross Taylor back to the pavilion with consecutive deliveries late this afternoon as the visitors took hold of the match in the blink of an eye.

New Zealand were in the midst of making a steady start to their first innings following the early departure of Peter Fulton (1) before Broad worked his magic when the home side had only 48 runs on the board.

Rutherford (23) looked as though he wanted to pick up from where he left off following his debut hundred in the drawn first test in Dunedin last week as he started well.

He took a ball on the body early from Steve Finn but generally looked assured at the crease before he edged a delivery through to England captain Alastair Cook who made no mistake at first slip.

Former New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor then entered an overcast Basin Reserve to a rousing reception - as he has all summer - but only lasted a solitary delivery as he had his off stump disturbed by a rampant Broad.

That left New Zealand's innings in tatters and Cantabrian Dean Brownlie survived the hat-trick ball with a nice clip off his pads through mid-wicket for two runs.

With the light dimming New Zealand closed the day on 66-3 with Brownlie at the crease on eight alongside the rock-solid Kane Williamson who was unbeaten on 32.

Williamson's last innings in New Zealand colours at the Basin brought about a fighting century against South Africa last summer and Black Caps coach Mike Hesson would love to see something of a similar ilk from the slightly-built Northern Districts No 3 tomorrow.

The Kiwis will have to produce an impressive batting display during the weekend to give themselves a chance of staying in the match.

Earlier in the day, England were eventually bowled out for 465 in their first innings just before the tea break.

England began the morning on 267-2 but lost centurion Jonathan Trott for 121 as he was caught behind from the bowling of Trent Boult without adding to his overnight score.

From there wickets fell regularly but Kevin Pietersen (73) and Matt Prior (82) ensured England put on a more than respectable total.

Prior was particularly aggressive after lunch and scored his runs at a decent clip while Pietersen failed to completely assert himself at the crease.

Left-arm twirler Bruce Martin finished England's innings with 4-130 as the 32-year-old, who is playing in only his second test, wheeled down 48 overs during a marathon stint at the crease.

Martin was well assisted by paceman Neil Wagner who picked up 2-122 from 33 overs, while Trent Boult claimed 2-117 from 30 overs and Williamson chipped in with 2-16 with his part-time off-spinners.

DAY ONE COVERAGE:
McCullum's luck turns to custard
Trott cashes in on flat Basin pitch
England dominates day one