New Zealand battle to avoid innings defeat in second Test

WELLINGTON: A six-wicket haul by England paceman Stuart Broad left New Zealand fighting for survival as they were forced to follow on in the second Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Saturday.

At stumps, with two days remaining, New Zealand were 77 for one in their second innings, requiring a further 134 runs to make England bat again as they struggle to keep the series all square.

After the early loss of Hamish Rutherford, Peter Fulton (41 not out) and Kane Williamson (16 not out) negotiated the rest of the final session.

Earlier, Broad destroyed New Zealand's first innings with six for 51, his seventh five-wicket haul in 54 Tests, as New Zealand collapsed to 254 all out in reply to England's first innings 465.

With the pitch posing few problems for the batsmen, despite scuff marks appearing, Fulton and Rutherford made a cautious start to New Zealand's second innings.

They reached 25 before the breakthrough came for England midway through the 11th over when the decision to move Ian Bell to leg slip paid immediate dividends.

Rutherford's attempt to steer Monty Panesar down the leg side produced a one-handed diving catch by Bell and the first-Test centurion was gone for 15.

As New Zealand battle to avoid defeat after the first match in the three-Test series ended in a draw, there is the outside prospect of rain affecting the outcome with occasional showers forecast for Sunday and Monday.

The third and final Test starts in Auckland on Friday. (AFP)