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Kiwis take 255-run lead over England
New Zealand's bid to salvage some pride remained on course after they closed the third day on 190/5.
New Zealand's bid to salvage some pride from their series with England remained firmly on course after the third day of the third and final Test at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.
At stumps, New Zealand were 190 for five in their second innings, already a lead of 255 with two days left and the hard-hitting Chris Cairns, the world record holder for most Test sixes, still waiting for his final Test innings.
Craig McMillan was 28 not out and nightwatchman James Franklin two not out.
England had already secured the series 2-0 after seven and nine wicket wins at Lord's and Headingley respectively.
But hopes of inflicting a first whitewash in a major Test campaign since their 3-0 home thrashing of New Zealand back in 1978 took a severe dent after New Zealand established a first innings lead for the only time in the campaign earlier Saturday.
On the stroke of lunch, England were bowled out for 319 in reply to New Zealand's first innings 384, a deficit of 65.
All-rounder Cairns, in his final Test before retirement and on the ground where he starred for Nottinghamshire, took five for 79 as he wrapped up the innings.
It was the 13th time in his 62-Test career that Cairns, 34 on Sunday, had taken five or more wickets in an innings and the fourth time he'd done so against England.
Cairns is quitting the five-day but not the one-day game because of persistent knee trouble.
New Zealand started Saturday's final session on 99 for one with captain and first innings cenrion Stephen Fleming 35 not out.
Brendon McCullum, three not out at the break, added just one to his score before falling to left-arm spinner Ashley Giles.
McCullum, advancing down the pitch, was beaten in the flight and edged to Andrew Flintoff at first slip to leave New Zealand 106 for two.
Flintoff then took two wickets for no runs in five balls.
Paceman Flintoff, bowling around the wicket, had left-hander Fleming lbw for 45, the opener contributing to his own downfall by not playing a shot.
And the all-rounder then had dangerman Nathan Astle lbw for nought, Flintoff ending the day with two for 48 from 16 overs.
Giles's figures at stumps were two for 38, also from 16 overs and he made an unbeaten 45 with the bat to help boost England's total.
Scott Styris and McMillan kept the Kiwi advance going with a stand of 51 in 101 balls before Styris was given out caught behind off Stephen Harmison for 39, the batsman's disbelief at the decision clear for all to see.
Before then England had seen the back of opener Mark Richardson for 49 when he fell lbw to Giles after the spinner had dropped him on 41 in the gully off fast bowler Harmison.
Richardson faced 88 balls with eight fours in his innings before his exit left New Zealand 94 for one.
In the series as a whole the obdurate left-hander batted for seven minutes short of 22 hours, facing 971 balls for 369 runs at an average of 61.5.
Left-arm swing bowler Franklin, 23, had less time to make an impact but still took four for 104 in only his third Test and first against England.
Franklin's performance was all the more impressive as he was a late call up from English club cricket following the injury crisis that had sidelined several members of the original tour party.
And for most of England's innings New Zealand were without pace bowlers Chris Martin (hamstring) and debutant Kyle Mills (rib) who only managed 7.5 overs between them before breaking down.
