England were dismissed for a dismal 143 on day two of the third Test as their hopes of a series clean sweep faded against a dominant New Zealand side who built a commanding lead in Hamilton.
The hosts, who were bowled out for 347 in the morning having resumed their first innings on 315-9, ran through England and then closed on 136-3 in their second innings to secure a lead of 340 heading into day three.
Harry Brook, who had previously scored two centuries and one fifty in the series, was removed for a golden duck as Will O’Rourke (3-33) struck twice in two balls after also removing England’s top-scorer Joe Root (32).
The visitors collapsed to 82-5 with Matt Henry (4-48) impressing before Ben Stokes (27) and Ollie Pope (24) added 52 runs for the sixth wicket only for both to fall to the spin of Mitchell Santner, who finished with remarkable figures of 3-7.
The hosts added 32 runs to their overnight score of 315-9 with Santner (76) providing lower-order resistance before he was bowled Matthew Potts (4-90) to end the innings.
Later in the day Kane Williamson (50no) notched his 38th Test half-century – and his sixth at Seddon Park – and was there at stumps alongside Rachin Ravindra (2no) as New Zealand closed with a commanding lead and seven wickets remaining – but not before Stokes struck twice late in the evening session to see the end of Will Young (60) and O’Rourke (0).
England skittled in Hamilton
England opener Zak Crawley’s (21) fortune appeared to be changing when he clobbered Tim Southee (0-46) for four boundaries in the second over, but he was caught superbly by Henry in his follow-through, and the seamer went on to trap Ben Duckett (11) leg-before four balls later.
O’Rourke had Jacob Bethell (12) caught at backward point by Glenn Phillips whilst Brook chopped on off the following delivery, leaving England faltering on 77-4.
After hitting six boundaries in his 42-ball outing, Root was the next wicket to fall, being pouched by Young at gully off O’Rourke.
Stokes and vice-captain Pope equally shared ten fours, taking England past 100, but the latter caught an outside edge off Santner that Daryl Mitchell swallowed at first slip.
New Zealand bowler Matt Henry celebrates the wicket of England’s Ben Duckett
Santner then struck Stokes’ pad after he missed a sweep, with the umpire immediately giving it out, and England’s review falling New Zealand’s way.
Gus Atkinson (4) was tamely caught at mid-on off Henry and Brydon Carse (1), looking to be aggressive, danced down the wicket but was caught-and-bowled off Santner, a decision given on review and once again falling in favour of the hosts.
Henry mopped up the tail after Potts (1) skied a full delivery to backward point where Phillips completed an excellent catch over his shoulder, leaving Shoaib Bashir (1no) stranded at the non-striker’s end.
New Zealand in command
England’s Ben Stokes celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke in Hamilton
Atkinson made early inroads for England to lift their spirits, bowling skipper Tom Latham (19) in the 10th over.
However, it wasn’t until the 28th over that England would celebrate again as Young and Williamson shared a defiant 89-run stand comprised of 17 boundaries.
Young had fallen eight runs short of a half-century in the first innings but made no mistake the second time round, reaching his milestone by steering Stokes (2-45) through the covers for a couple to reach his 10th Test fifty.
The New Zealand opener, who is yet to score a Test century, pulled Stokes straight to midwicket, where Bethell was stationed, and trudged off.
Stokes further lifted England by finding the outside edge of nightwatchman O’Rourke (0) who was caught behind for a duck.