Monty Panesar and Stuart Broad shared the wickets as New Zealand reached 222-5 at stumps on the fourth day, chasing an improbable 553 to win the deciding third Test against England in Napier.

New Zealand, from a seemingly comfortable position at tea with Matthew Bell and Stephen Fleming well established, lost three wickets for 13 runs and need another 331 to win the match.

Ross Taylor (54) and Brendon McCullum (24) were the not out batsmen as Panesar ended the day with figures of 3-49 and Broad 2-40.

However McCullum was dropped by Kevin Pietersen and had another chance loop just over Panesar's head in the final over of the day from James Anderson.

Jamie How had been dismissed in the second over after lunch when he was trapped lbw by Panesar without adding to his adjournment score of 11.

Fleming and Bell guided their side to 146-1 at tea and after Fleming took a single off the first ball, Bell fell without adding to his score two balls later when he lapped a ball from

Panesar straight to Broad at deep backward square leg for 69.

Fleming had brought up his 46th Test half century and then passed 7160 career Test runs to ensure he would end his international career with a Test average over 40.

However, as has been typical of his storied career, he failed to convert another half century into a big score and was caught by Tim Ambrose off Panesar for 66 to leave New Zealand on 156-3. He finished with a career average of 40.06.

Fleming, who turned just nine of the 55 times he passed 50 into centuries, received a standing ovation from the crowd at McLean Park and was applauded off by the England team.

Michael Vaughan's side had also formed a guard of honour when he walked to the wicket after lunch.

Mathew Sinclair, who has been under pressure to retain his Test place, damaged his selection chances for the tour of England when he was caught for six by Ambrose off a Broad bouncer soon after.

Broad then had Grant Elliott caught by Ian Bell from a mistimed pull for four to leave New Zealand floundering at 172-5.

England had declared their second innings at 467-7 about 35 minutes into the day's play. Andrew Strauss added four singles to his overnight 173 before he was caught by Bell at mid-off after advancing down the pitch to off-spinner Jeetan Patel from the 11th ball of the day.

Tim Ambrose, who was on 28 overnight, added three singles before he spooned a return catch to Daniel Vettori.

Broad (31) and Ryan Sidebottom (12) were the not out batsmen as captain Vettori finished with figures of four for 158.

The hosts have scored in excess of 400 only twice before when batting fourth, both times against England, but they lost on each occasion. Their highest successful run chase was 324-5 against Pakistan at Christchurch in 1994.

Reuters