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Graeme Swann edges England closer to victory

Swann edges England closer to victory
© PA Photos
Graeme Swann takes two late wickets to leave England on the cusp of victory against New Zealand.

Spin-bowler Graeme Swann claimed two more wickets after tea as England closed in on victory from their second Test encounter against New Zealand at Headingley.

The touring Kiwis returned after the 20-minute interval on 68-3 and appeared to have gained an element of control on proceedings with Ross Taylor and Dean Brownlie at the crease.

However, with 144 runs on the board, Brownlie was caught by Ian Bell off the bowling of Steven Finn for 25 to interrupt the developing partnership.

Taylor, who shortly before had made his half-century, continued to take the fight to the England bowling attack, but he soon lost another partner when Martin Guptill was caught by Jonathan Trott in the slips following a spinning delivery by Swann.

Then, as bad light threatened to end the encounter for the day, Swann clean-bowled Taylor for 70 with a yorker and the tourists eventually ended on 158-6 when the umpires decided that it was too dark to continue.

It means that England, who hold a lead of 309 runs, need four more wickets to win the match.

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